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Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis
Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis
Medial compartmental osteoarthritis is a type of osteoarthritis (OA) that affects only one part of the knee: the medial compartment.
The three compartments that make up the knee are the:
- lateral compartment, on the outer side of the knee
- medial compartment, near the middle of the knee, on the inner side
- patellofemoral compartment, consisting of the kneecap and part of the femur
Symptoms
The symptoms of medial compartmental OA are similar to those of other types of OA of the knee.
They tend to develop over time and include:
- pain that gets worse over time, especially with activity
- stiffness, especially when you wake up in the morning
- swelling or inflammation
- “locking up” after sitting for a while
- symptoms that are more noticeable after vigorous activity
- instability Trusted Source in the knee joint, with the knee pulling toward the middle of the body
Eventually, pain and a loss of mobility can start to affect your quality of life.
The symptoms of medial compartmental OA might be more easily managed than tricompartmental arthritis
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Causes
Articular cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones of a joint. OA happens if that cartilage becomes damaged.
Without cartilage, the bones rub together when you move, causing friction and inflammation. This can irritate nerve fibers and cause pain and further damage.
The spaces between the joints may also narrow, and bone spurs can form on the bones in the knee.
Medial compartmental OA may result from:
- a traumatic injury that damages the cartilage
- knee misalignment
- overuse of an injured or misaligned knee
- a meniscus injury, which damages the fibrocartilage between your thighbone and shinbone
Diagnosis
To diagnose medial compartmental OA, a doctor will likely:
- carry out a physical exam
- ask about your medical history, including any past injuries
- check for misalignment
- take an X-ray
An X-ray may show damage to the knee joint or cartilage and will help determine whether OA affects multiple compartments or the medial compartmental only.
Your doctor may recommend seeing a doctor who specializes in OA, such as:
- a sports medicine specialist
- an orthopedic surgeon
- a rheumatologist
Outlook
There is no cure for medial or other types of OA, but a range of treatment options can help you manage it and reduce or delay the need for surgery.
They can also improve your quality of life and decrease the need for mobility devices.
Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for managing medial compartmental OA
