As age increases, numerous health issues are encountered, ranging from back pain to knee pain that will disrupt tranquility in old age. The disturbance that occurs in the knee, accompanied by pain, is caused by knee joint calcification. The term calcification is more commonly known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

The incidence of osteoarthritis will increase in line with advancing age. At the age of over 60, 25% of women and 15% of men have a tendency to experience symptoms of osteoarthritis. The knee joint is more frequently affected by osteoarthritis, in addition to the hip, knee, and intervertebral disc joints.

Someone who has experienced degenerative joint disease attacking the knee will experience the following symptoms:

• Knee joint pain The pain originates from the bone, synovial membrane, fibrous capsule, and muscle spasms. Initially, it is just a dull pain but can become severe, characterized as intermittent and exacerbated by joint movement. The complaint subsides during rest but when it is severe, it is even felt while resting.
• Changes in knee joint movement The joint movement is no longer smooth, so a sound can be found when the joint is moved. Gradually, the knee joint will lose its optimal movement and then become increasingly stiff.
• Swelling of the knee joint Upon physical examination, swelling of the knee joint will be found due to an increase in the amount of synovial fluid, thickening of the synovial membrane, and the swelling becomes more prominent when the surrounding muscles experience atrophy/shrinking.
• Changes in the shape of the knee Over time, patients with this degenerative joint disorder will experience knee shapes that we commonly see as “O” legs or sometimes can also look like “X” legs.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend patients to undergo supporting examinations, such as:

• Blood tests, to detect infections or other causes of joint inflammation, such as Peripheral blood examination (Hemoglobin, Leukocytes, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)), Immunology examination (ANA, Rheumatoid Factor (RF)) • Joint fluid analysis, to see if there is inflammation or infection in the joint. • Knee X-Ray examination. In the X-Ray image, abnormalities will be found in the form of narrowing joint space, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cysts, osteophyte formation, and changes in joint shape.

References:

• Salter RB. Textbook of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. 3rd edition. 1999
• Miller MD, Thomson SR. Miller’s review of orthopaedics. 2016

Author: dr. Bernarita Akpri Anggraini (Medical Consultant Doctor at PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory, Jl. MT. Haryono No. 5-7, Balikpapan)"