Knee Osteoarthritis

What is knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects the knee joint. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. This can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced movement in your knee.

At Willoughby Health, our team of Physiotherapists and Chiropractors in Willoughby often see patients with knee osteoarthritis. We understand how this condition can impact your daily life, so we've put together this guide to help answer all the common questions people ask about this condition and how to best manage it.

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What are the different types of knee osteoarthritis?

There are several types of knee osteoarthritis:

• Primary osteoarthritis: This is the most common type, related to ageing and wear and tear of the joint.
• Secondary osteoarthritis: This type is caused by another condition, such as an injury or obesity.
• Medial compartment osteoarthritis: Affects the inner part of the knee.
• Lateral compartment osteoarthritis: Affects the outer part of the knee.
• Patellofemoral osteoarthritis: Affects the area under the kneecap.

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What are the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis can vary from person to person, but common signs include:

• Pain in your knee, especially during or after movement
• Stiffness, particularly after sitting for a long time or when you wake up in the morning
• Swelling in and around the knee
• A grating sensation or crackling sound when you move your knee
• Loss of flexibility in the knee joint
• Weakness in the muscles around the knee
• Formation of bone spurs around the joint

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What causes knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis can be caused by several factors:

• Age: It's more common as you get older
• Genetics: Some people may be more likely to develop it due to their genes
• Weight: Being overweight puts extra stress on your knee joints
• Injury: Previous knee injuries can increase your risk
• Overuse: Repetitive stress on the knee joint, often from certain jobs or sports
• Gender: It's more common in women, especially after age 50
• Other medical conditions: Such as rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders

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How is knee osteoarthritis diagnosed?

When you visit one of the Tangram Health clinics with suspected knee osteoarthritis, our healthcare professionals will use several methods to diagnose your condition:

• Medical history: They'll ask about your symptoms, when they started, and how they affect your daily life.
• Physical examination: Your Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, or Exercise Physiologist will check your knee for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. They may also assess your gait (how you walk).
• Specific tests: There are several tests that can help diagnose knee osteoarthritis, such as:
  • The Squat Test: To assess pain and function
  • The Grind Test: To check for patellofemoral osteoarthritis
• Imaging tests: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans may be used to get a closer look at your knee joint.

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Do I need any scans to diagnose knee osteoarthritis?

Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and assessing knee osteoarthritis:

• X-rays: These can show narrowing of the joint space, bone spurs, and other changes typical of osteoarthritis.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This gives a detailed view of the soft tissues in your knee, including cartilage. It can show early signs of osteoarthritis before they're visible on X-rays.
• CT (Computed Tomography) scans: These provide detailed 3D images of your knee joint and can be useful for planning treatment.

At Willoughby Health, our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors can refer you for these scans if necessary and explain what the results mean for your condition and treatment.

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How is knee osteoarthritis treated?

Treatment for knee osteoarthritis aims to reduce pain, improve function, and slow the progression of the disease. At Willoughby Health, we can provide and recommend a range of treatments, including:

• Exercise: Our team can design an exercise program to strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
• Weight management: If you're overweight, losing weight can significantly reduce stress on your knee joint.
• Physical therapy: Techniques like manual therapy and ultrasound can help manage pain and improve mobility.
• Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications or prescription drugs may be recommended to manage pain and inflammation.
• Assistive devices: Canes, walkers, knee braces, or shoe inserts can help reduce stress on your knee.
• Injections: Various types of injections can be used to manage pain and inflammation.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery might be necessary.

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Do injections help for knee osteoarthritis?

Several types of injections can be used to help treat knee osteoarthritis:

• Corticosteroid injections: These reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief.
• Hyaluronic acid injections: Also known as viscosupplementation, these injections aim to improve the lubricating properties of the joint fluid.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections: This uses components of your own blood to potentially stimulate healing.

These injections are typically used when other conservative treatments haven't provided enough relief. At Willoughby Health, our healthcare professionals can discuss whether injections might be appropriate for your condition, and recommend some good Orthopaedic Surgeons, Sport and Exercise Medicine Physicians, and imaging centres to get these done at.

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What is cooled radiofrequency nerve ablation?

Cooled radiofrequency nerve ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat knee pain from osteoarthritis. It works by using radiofrequency energy to disrupt the nerves that send pain signals from the knee to the brain.This procedure can provide longer-lasting pain relief compared to injections, often for 6-12 months or more. Whilst it doesn't treat the underlying osteoarthritis, it can help with reducing the pain felt and can be useful as a medium term intervention when surgery is not yet a viable option.

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When is surgery required for knee osteoarthritis?

Surgery for knee osteoarthritis is usually considered when:

• Conservative treatments haven't provided enough relief
• Pain is severe and significantly affects your quality of life
• There's significant loss of cartilage and deformity of the knee

The main surgical options include:

• Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to remove loose cartilage or bone
• Osteotomy: Realigning the bones to shift weight away from the damaged area
• Partial knee replacement: Replacing only the damaged part of the knee
• Total knee replacement: Replacing the entire knee joint

If surgery is being considered, our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors in Willoughby can help you understand the procedure, recommend some good orthopaedic surgeons, and guide you through the rehabilitation process afterwards.

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How does exercise help knee osteoarthritis?

Exercise is a crucial part of managing knee osteoarthritis. It helps to:

• Strengthen the muscles around your knee
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Improve overall fitness and wellbeing

Our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors at Willoughby Health can help design an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. This might include:

• Low-impact aerobic exercises: Like swimming, cycling, or walking
• Strengthening exercises: To build up the muscles that support your knee
• Flexibility exercises: To improve your range of motion
• Balance exercises: To reduce the risk of falls

Remember, it's important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your exercises.

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How can I prevent knee osteoarthritis from getting worse?

While you can't completely prevent knee osteoarthritis, there are steps you can take to slow its progression:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Extra weight puts more stress on your knee joints.
• Stay active: Regular exercise keeps your joints flexible and strengthens supporting muscles.
• Protect your joints: Use proper techniques when lifting or carrying heavy objects.
• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins C and D, and omega-3 fatty acids may help protect your joints.
• Avoid repetitive stress: If your job or hobbies involve repetitive knee movements, take regular breaks and use proper ergonomics.
• Manage other health conditions: Conditions like diabetes can affect joint health, so it's important to keep them under control.

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What lifestyle changes can help manage knee osteoarthritis?

Making certain lifestyle changes can significantly improve your quality of life when living with knee osteoarthritis:

• Use assistive devices: Canes, walkers, or knee braces can make daily tasks easier and reduce stress on your knee.
• Modify your home: Install handrails in the bathroom, use a raised toilet seat, or consider a walk-in shower to make your home safer and more comfortable.
• Choose low-impact activities: Switch to activities that are easier on your joints, like swimming or cycling instead of running.
• Apply heat or cold: Use heat to relax muscles and increase flexibility, or cold to reduce pain and swelling.
• Wear comfortable shoes: Shoes with good support can reduce stress on your knees and improve your balance.
• Practice good posture: Proper posture can reduce stress on your knee joints.
• Get enough sleep: Good sleep can help manage pain and improve overall health.

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When should I see a healthcare professional about knee pain?

You should consider seeing a healthcare professional if:

• Your knee pain is persistent or getting worse
• Your knee pain is affecting your daily activities or sleep
• You're having difficulty walking or moving your knee
• You've tried home remedies without success
• You're concerned about your symptoms

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Can knee osteoarthritis affect other parts of my body?

Yes, knee osteoarthritis can have effects beyond just your knee:

• Hip pain: You might change how you walk to avoid knee pain, which can put extra stress on your hips.
• Back pain: Changes in your posture or walking pattern can affect your back.
• Muscle weakness: Reduced activity due to knee pain can lead to muscle weakness in your legs.
• Mental health: Chronic pain and reduced mobility can affect your mood and mental wellbeing.

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Take home message

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. However, with proper management and care, many people with knee osteoarthritis can maintain their mobility and continue to enjoy their daily activities.

At Willoughby Health, our team of experienced Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Exercise Physiologists are dedicated to helping you manage your knee osteoarthritis effectively. We offer a range of treatments and can provide personalised advice on exercise, lifestyle modifications, and pain management strategies. Remember, early intervention and a proactive approach to managing your condition can make a big difference.

If you're experiencing knee pain or have concerns about knee osteoarthritis, don't hesitate to contact us at Willoughby Health. We have clinics conveniently located around Sydney in Mt Kuring-Gai, Asquith, Milsons Point, Dural, and Blacktown so you can get the right advice and treatment for your knee osteoarthritis.

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