Knee Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Gradual thinning of the knee cartilage leading to pain and restricted movement.
Knee osteoarthritis is a joint condition in which the cartilage covering the ends of the thigh and shin bones gradually thins and the joint space narrows. Because cartilage has no blood supply, its capacity for self-repair is limited, so the process is usually slow but progressive.
Symptoms
- Knee pain that increases with walking and eases with rest
- Stiffness on rising in the morning or after prolonged sitting, usually lasting less than half an hour
- Difficulty with stairs, squatting and kneeling
- Swelling, warmth and a grinding sensation with movement
- Progressive shortening of walking distance
- In advanced stages, bowing of the leg and pain at night
Causes and Risk Factors
- Age: incidence rises markedly after the age of fifty
- Excess weight: directly increases load on the knee
- Previous injury: meniscus tear, ligament injury or intra-articular fracture
- Malalignment: bow legs or knock knees concentrate load on one compartment
- Occupation and activity: prolonged squatting, kneeling and heavy lifting
- Inflammatory joint disease and family predisposition
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis rests on examination and weight-bearing X-rays, which show joint space narrowing and bone spurs. MRI is not required in every patient. The severity on imaging does not always match the severity of symptoms, so treatment is guided by the limitation experienced in daily life.
Non-surgical care is the first step: a structured exercise programme, weight management, low-impact activity, physiotherapy and, in selected patients, intra-articular injections. Surgery — arthroscopic procedures, osteotomy, partial or total knee replacement — is considered when conservative treatment no longer provides sufficient relief.
If your walking distance is shortening, night pain disturbs your sleep, or symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment, an orthopaedic assessment is advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can knee osteoarthritis be reversed?
Thinned cartilage does not return to its original state. The aim of treatment is to reduce pain, preserve movement and slow progression. With exercise and weight management, many patients maintain a comfortable daily life for years.
Is walking harmful for my knee?
No. Walking on level ground below the pain threshold supports cartilage nutrition and maintains muscle strength. What should be limited is deep squatting, prolonged stair descent and heavy lifting.
Get in Touch for an Appointment
Your concerns are handled confidentially. Get in touch today for an accurate diagnosis and the treatment option that suits you.