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What is tricompartmental arthritis?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I would like to understand the MRI results from the knee and what likely treatment options would be. Please help.

Thanks.
Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have seen your MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) report. There is one most significant finding which is tricompartmental arthritis. Our knee has three compartments:

1. Medial compartment (inner side of knee).

2. Lateral compartment (outer side of knee).

3. Patellofemoral compartment (knee cap).

Usually, the medial compartment is the most weight-bearing portion of the knee, and obviously, arthritis starts from here. In your case, arthritis involves all three compartments which indirectly means it is quite advanced. Now treatment is not based on MRI. We have only two treatment modalities exercises and knee replacement. There are many other treatments available like injections but they just give temporary relief. So please tell me more about your symptoms. How worse is it? How many restrictions are you facing in the day-to-day routine? What treatment have you tried till now?

I wish this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

About three weeks ago, the pain became so bad while I was on the stairs I ended up falling down the stairs and cracking a rib. I have tried low-impact exercises since this happened, I used to walk quite a bit, but now that is much more limited. I have tried rice, without any real relief. I did have a steroid shot in the knee, which provided some relief, but it only lasted a few days. Typically, I use a combination of over-the-counter drugs, and something stronger at certain times at night to allow me to sleep. I was hoping there might be some kind of surgery that could get me another 10 or 15 years before I even considered knee replacement.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As I can see, you have tried most of the conservative methods and took injections too. I would suggest a knee replacement. However, my opinion is not final because exactly can be said after the clinical examination. There are surgeries like HTO (high tibial osteotomy) where the osteotomy is done and bone is realigned in a way that weight bearing is more on the lateral compartment than the medial. But this is done in cases where there is unicompartmental arthritis and not tri as in your case.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta
Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At June 25, 2024
Reviewed At July 30, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anuj Gupta
Dr. Anuj Gupta

Spine Surgery

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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