Diagnosis
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
If you think you have OA of the knee, your doctor will want to talk with you about your symptoms. He or she will ask you where the pain is, how long you’ve had it, and what types of things make it better or worse. He or she will also probably perform a physical exam of your knee. Following that, there are several tests that can aid your doctor in making a final diagnosis:
X-ray: An x-ray can give your doctor a good view of the bones and cartilage in your joint—if the space between the bones is narrower than usual, it may indicate damage to the cartilage, a sign of OA
MRI: An MRI may be used if an x-ray is not providing a clear indication of the cause of your knee pain
Blood test: A blood test can help rule out rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other possible causes of joint pain
Other, less common tests include:
Joint fluid analysis: A needle is used to draw fluid from your joint; the fluid is then checked for signs of infection or other conditions
Arthroscopy: A tiny camera is inserted through small incisions around your knee to look directly at the joint
Progression
OA of the knee is a chronic condition that gradually worsens over time.
Mild — The surface of the cartilage in your knee joint begins to wear down. Symptoms are generally mild, and may include occasional pain and brief morning stiffness.
Moderate — Joint cartilage continues to wear away and joint fluid may lose its ability to lubricate and cushion the knee. Bony growths, or spurs, may also form on the edges of the bones. Moving may become more painful.
Severe — Cartilage may totally wear away, causing bones to rub against each other. Pain may be more constant or more severe; your ability to perform day-to-day activities can diminish.
The good news: OA of the knee is manageable, especially if detected early, and there are many treatment options. So, if you experience pain, stiffness, or any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor. Only your doctor can diagnose OA of the knee. If it is OA, you and your doctor can work together to find a treatment that is right for you.
EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.
Important Safety Information
You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.
EUFLEXXA is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.
Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.
Please see Full Prescribing Information.
Please see Important Information for Patients.
PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING ANY PRODUCT DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS WEB SITE.
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Euflexxa® is a registered trademark of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Signs, Symptoms and Causes
