Osteoarthritis of the knee

How is the knee structured?

Your knee joint is where your thigh bone (femur) and your shin bone (tibia) meet. It allows the bones to move freely but within limits. When your knee has osteoarthritis its surfaces become damaged and it doesn’t move as well as it should do.

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What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee include:

pain
stiffness
a grating or grinding sensation (crepitus) when you move the joint
soft or hard swellings.

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What causes osteoarthritis of the knee?

Almost anyone can get osteoarthritis of the knee but you’re at a greater risk if:

you’re in your late 40s or older
you’re overweight
you're a woman
your parents had it
you’ve had a previous joint injury
your joints have been damaged by another disease (e.g. gout or rheumatoid arthritis).

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What is the outlook for osteoarthritis of the knee?

Osteoarthritis of the knee affects different people in different ways. Sometimes it can develop over just a year or two, but more often it’s a slow process that develops over many years and causes small changes, although it may still be painful.

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What are the possible complications of osteoarthritis of the knee?

There can sometimes be rarer complications with osteoarthritis of the knee, including deposits of calcium crystals in your cartilage and cysts forming at the back of your knee.

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How is osteoarthritis of the knee diagnosed?

Your doctor will make a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee based on your symptoms and an examination. They may also suggest you have some tests.

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What treatments are there for osteoarthritis of the knee?

Your treatment will vary depending on how severe your pain is. You may find that a combination of over-the-counter painkillers and self-help methods are all you need, but if your pain is severe your doctor may suggest the following treatment:

capsaicin cream
stronger painkillers (e.g. tramadol) for more intense pain
steroid injections into the painful joint
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
surgery, including joint replacement.

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Self-help and daily living for osteoarthritis of the knee

Try the following tips to help ease your symptoms:

use over-the-counter painkillers (e.g. paracetamol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are available as tablets or creams and gels that you rub into the affected area
lose weight if you’re overweight
exercise regularly (both muscle-strengthening exercise and general aerobic exercise)
use heat/ice packs
try complementary therapies
use gadgets and home adaptations
learn pain management and relaxation techniques.

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