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Can Osteoarthritis Cause Knee Contractions?

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Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Question: Friend has osteoarthritis,can osteoarthritis cause foot drop or contractions at the knee? Also will it go away or will the disease progress?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Osteoarthritis does not cause contractures.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Osteoarthritis is not likely to cause contractures at the knee or ankle causing the involvement of the nerves leading to foot drop. Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disorder causing the degenerative changes in the cartilage making the knee movements painful.
It is a progressive problem and can cause a disability and restricted movements around the affected joint. But it does not cause any nerve involvement. Proper treatment is needed to reduce the symptoms and to retard further progression of the problem.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (22 hours later)
Thanks . This friend worked with PT last year and therapy is completed. She now has her own apartment. In her PT note it says there that objective assessment of pain shows groaning, frowning, pacing, and inability to focus with activity. When this friend ambulates with me she is okay but when with other people that she is not familiar with she complains of legs becoming stiff and can not place her left heel on the floor. She never do that with me.
Is this stiffness has relationship with osteoarthritis or her anxiety or other things. She only complains when others are with her not with me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be psychological.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The stiffness of the legs that is not present when you are around suggests that it is related to anxiety. This is not likely to be due to osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by a morning stiffness in the knee joints that gradually decreases as the day progresses. Doing a hot fomentation in the area also reduces the stiffness. You can get her evaluated by a psychotherapist.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 days later)
So Doctor in summary this lady has foot drop and possibly related to her brain surgery and diabetes causing nerve damage leading to contraction as evidenced by foot drop. To know for sure there is contraction, EMG is warranted.
Also her complaints of stiffness and unable to move her leg when ambulating with new people is possibly related to her underlying diagnosis of anxiety and psychotherapy is advised. Please confirm my understanding of her diagnosis.
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you are right.

Detailed Answer:
Yes you have understood her problems and the possible causes correctly. Each one of her problems needs to be addressed separately. I am sure she can be in a better health soon with the help of specialists.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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Can Osteoarthritis Cause Knee Contractions?

Brief Answer: Osteoarthritis does not cause contractures. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Osteoarthritis is not likely to cause contractures at the knee or ankle causing the involvement of the nerves leading to foot drop. Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disorder causing the degenerative changes in the cartilage making the knee movements painful. It is a progressive problem and can cause a disability and restricted movements around the affected joint. But it does not cause any nerve involvement. Proper treatment is needed to reduce the symptoms and to retard further progression of the problem. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal