Arthritis is the swelling up of the joints of the body. It includes more than a hundred types of rheumatic ailments that comprise of swelling, stiffness, extreme pain and joint inflammation. There are at least a hundred types of arthritis affecting people across all ages. An astonishing figure confirms that about 300,000 children suffer from this ailment too.

Arthritis can strike at any part of our body with severe consequences such as disability. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are the two most common types of arthritis. It can strike anyone at any time. Though children are equally at risk, the majority of sufferers have an average age of sixty-five.

Knee arthritis is very common amongst adults, both male and female. It is interesting to know that more than 550,000 people suffer from some form of osteoarthritis in the UK alone. This data is supported by the X-ray analysis of all of these cases.

More often than not knee arthritis is diagnosed as osteoarthritis. It causes gradual joint erosion and joint impairment. Overweight, recurring injuries or a lot of strain on the knee can cause knee arthritis. Before any treatment it is essential to know what exactly arthritis is and that how it can affect the knee.

Because of the complexities of the knee, the treatment of each individual is different and various options need to be considered for best results. Apart from pain killers administered to treat the discomfort of osteoarthritis, knee exercises for the same is highly recommended. Exercises build strength by improving the joint movements and of course will also reduce the weight of the body on the knees. Advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis require advanced drugs or even surgical correction.

Self nurturing and careful attention at home can reduce knee pain caused by arthritis to a huge extent. Make sure to rest the knee, elevate the knee above your heart level and wear supportive apparatus.