Over time or after an injury the cartilage that protects the end of the bones associated with the knee (femur and tibia) can begin to degenerate or thin, this is termed osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis the cartilage is less able to protect the bone and shock absorb which therefore affects the function of the entire joint. This often means that pain around the joint can come from the ligaments, muscles and joint capsule (synovium that encapsulates the joint fluid), resulting in pain that changes in location and severity.
KNEE ARTHRITIS
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
- Knee pain with standing
- Knee feeling like it might give way
- Clicking
- Swelling
- Reduce knee mobility
How is knee osteoarthritis treated?
Scans are often not required to diagnose knee osteoarthritis, your physio can make this diagnosis by asking a series of specific questions and performing a thorough physical assessment.
Treatment may involve:
- Advice on how to reduce knee pain with daily activities
- Ice or hot packs
- Hands-on treatment to relieve muscle tension
- Orthotics or braces
- Exercises to improve the knee joint mobility and strength
- At Hartwell Physio we run the GLA:D Program, an evidence based six-week program for managing knee osteoarthritis LEARN MORE.
Learn more about osteoarthritis via the below video by HealthSketch.