Why does it develop?
Age, excess weight, previous meniscal or ligament injuries, limb alignment, quadriceps weakness and genetic factors all play a role.
Symptoms
Pain when walking, using stairs or standing up from a chair; brief stiffness after rest, crepitus and sometimes joint effusion. Symptoms often fluctuate.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is primarily clinical. Weight-bearing X-rays help assess structural change; ultrasound can detect effusion or synovitis. MRI is not needed in most cases.
Evidence-based treatment
OARSI, EULAR and ACR guidelines agree that therapeutic exercise and muscle strengthening, education and weight management where appropriate are the foundation of treatment.
Medication and injections may relieve symptoms at specific stages, but they do not regenerate cartilage.
When to seek advice
When pain persists, limits daily activities or swelling appears. A hot, very swollen knee with fever requires urgent assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does knee osteoarthritis always get worse?+
Not necessarily. Many people have stable symptoms for years, especially with regular exercise.
Related content
A hot, very painful and swollen joint, especially with fever, requires urgent medical attention.