Saudi Gazette If you are experiencing pain in your knee joints then most probably you will have to consider the way you are sitting. Arthritis and other problems related to knee are common in the Kingdom and have risen drastically over the years. According to orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Muhammad Khaleel Al-Harres, sitting cross-legged for a long period or with your knees bent and legs tucked beneath you largely contribute to painful knee joints. The wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee joint, drying up of the synovial fluid that cushions the joint, inflammation, and infection all lead to pain in the knee joints and a certain degree of immobility of the joint. “In its initial stages, inflammatory and dry conditions of the knee joint respond well to pain relief medications. Unfortunately as the condition progresses, synovial fluid decreases, friction in the joint increases, and the protective cartilage will continue to deteriorate. At this stage, medications are rendered practically useless in relieving pain and the best and most viable option is knee replacement surgery. “Today, many advances have been made in knee replacement surgery and it has a 90 percent to 95 percent success rate in eliminating pain and restoring full function and mobility of the knee joint. The risk for complications or infection after the surgery is extremely low,” Dr. Al-Harres told Al-Watan. He also said that dryness of the knee joint occurs with aging, and also due to other factors, such as weight gain, injuries, damage of the ligaments, poor fitness, and lack of regular exercise. A clear sign of dry knee joints is pain in the knee area that intensifies when walking, climbing stairs, or standing. Later on, even daily tasks and activities become burdensome and painful, such as praying, sitting on the floor, and climbing into the bath. If the patient is not treated, the knee joint may swell and possibly cause deformities in the thigh and lower leg bones. __
