What is it?
Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects the knee joint, causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. It develops when the structures within the joint change over time, making everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, squatting, or getting up from a chair more challenging.

 

What causes it?

  • Several factors can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, including:
  • Increasing age
  • Previous knee injuries or surgery
  • Excess body weight
  • Repetitive stress on the knee joint
  • Muscle weakness around the knee
  • Family history of osteoarthritis
  • Health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol may also increase the risk.

Recent research suggests that osteoarthritis is influenced not only by the extra load placed on the knee but also by changes within the body, including inflammation associated with obesity and other metabolic conditions.

 

How it feels

  • Knee pain during or after activity
  • Stiffness, especially after sitting or resting
  • Reduced knee movement
  • Swelling around the joint
  • Difficulty walking long distances, climbing stairs, or squatting
  • A grinding, clicking, or crunching sensation during movement

 

Could my knee pain be osteoarthritis?

Healthcare professionals often diagnose knee osteoarthritis based on your symptoms and physical examination. Osteoarthritis may be more likely if you have knee pain along with several of the following:

  • You are over 50 years of age
  • Your knee feels stiff in the morning, but the stiffness improves within about 30 minutes
  • You notice clicking, cracking, or grinding sounds when moving the knee
  • The knee feels tender when pressure is applied around the joint
  • The knee appears larger or more bony than it used to
  • Symptoms worsen with activities such as walking, stairs, kneeling, or prolonged standing

It is important to remember that X-ray findings do not always match symptoms. Some people have significant arthritis changes on scans but very little pain, while others may experience considerable pain despite only mild changes on imaging.

 

What you can do

  • Stay active and avoid prolonged rest
  • Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce stress on the knee
  • Choose low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or water-based exercise
  • Pace your activities throughout the day
  • Follow your exercise program consistently

 

How physiotherapy helps

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Your physiotherapist will:

  • Assess your knee movement, strength, and walking pattern
  • Develop a personalised exercise program
  • Improve flexibility and joint mobility
  • Strengthen the muscles around the knee and hip to provide better support
  • Help improve balance and confidence with movement
  • Provide advice on activity modification and managing flare-ups
  • Support you in returning to the activities that matter most to you

 

Other treatment options

Your doctor may recommend pain-relieving medications, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections to help manage symptoms. In severe cases where pain and function do not improve with conservative treatment, knee replacement surgery may be considered.

 

Recovery and outlook

Knee osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, but regular exercise and physiotherapy can significantly reduce pain, improve function, and help you stay active and independent. Research consistently shows that staying active and maintaining strength are among the most effective ways to manage osteoarthritis symptoms.

 

Reference:
Hsu H, Siwiec RM. Knee Osteoarthritis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Clinical Classification Criteria for Knee Osteoarthritis.