Knee Arthritis

What Is Knee Arthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of people. It occurs when the protective cartilage wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.¹

Symptoms²

• Pain with activity, relieved by rest
• Stiffness, especially in morning
• Swelling
• Grinding or popping (crepitus)
• Difficulty with stairs
• Knee giving way
• Reduced range of motion

Risk Factors

• Age
• Obesity (major modifiable factor)
• Previous knee injury
• Genetics
• Female sex
• Repetitive occupational stress

Treatment Options³

Conservative Management

• Weight loss (if overweight)
• Exercise and physical therapy
• Pain medications (NSAIDs, acetaminophen)
• Topical treatments
• Knee brace
• Walking aids

Injections

• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation)
• PRP (emerging)

Surgery

• Partial knee replacement
• Total knee replacement
• When conservative treatment fails

Exercise Tips

• Quadriceps strengthening crucial
• Low-impact cardio (swimming, cycling)
• Avoid deep squats and kneeling
• Water exercise excellent option

References

1. Wallace IJ, Worthington S, Felson DT, et al. Knee osteoarthritis has doubled in prevalence since the mid-20th century. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017;114(35):9332-9336.
2. Hunter DJ, Bierma-Zeinstra S. Osteoarthritis. Lancet. 2019;393(10182):1745-1759.
3. Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019;27(11):1578-1589.