What is Knee Arthritis?
Knee arthritis is a degenerative condition where the protective cartilage of the knee joint gradually wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty in walking.
It commonly affects individuals above 50 years but may occur earlier due to:
- Previous injury
- Obesity
- Ligament damage
- Meniscus injury
- Genetic actor
The most common type is Osteoarthritis, where the joint surfaces become rough and painful.
Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
- Persistent knee pain
- Morning stiffness
- Swelling around the joint
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Reduced walking distance
- Bow‑leg or knock‑knee deformity (in advanced cases)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis includes:
- Clinical examination
- Weight‑bearing X‑rays
- MRI (if needed in early stages)
- Alignment assessment
Severity is graded from mild cartilage wear to complete bone‑on‑bone arthritis.
Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis
Non‑Surgical Treatment (Early Stages)
✔ Pain medications
✔ Lifestyle modification
✔ Weight management
✔ Physiotherapy & muscle strengthening
✔ Knee braces
✔ Visco supplement injections (selected cases)
Early management helps delay surgery.
Surgical Treatment (Advanced Stages)
1️⃣ High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)
- Suitable for younger, active patients
- Corrects alignment and preserves natural knee
2️⃣ Partial Knee Replacement
- Replaces only damaged compartment
3️⃣ Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
- Replaces entire damaged joint
- Best option for severe arthritis
- Provides long‑term pain relief and improved mobility
Recovery & Rehabilitation
- Early mobilization after surgery
- Structured physiotherapy
- Strengthening and balance training
- Gradual return to daily activities
Most patients resume normal activities within 4–6 weeks after knee replacement.
When to Consult an Orthopedic Surgeon?
- Pain affecting daily life
- Sleep disturbance due to knee pain
- Failure of medications and physiotherapy
- Visible deformity
- Progressive reduction in walking ability
Early consultation allows better treatment planning and improved outcomes.
Project Information
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Patient Name: Wesley Jonson
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Category: Pain Management
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Location: United Kingdom
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Timeline: 22 Oct 2023 - 12 Nov 2023