Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is an increasingly common phrase that you may have heard in recent conversations. Perhaps it was the relative that recently had a knee replacement surgery after dealing with knee pain for many years, or maybe your medical practitioner informed you that you are at a high risk of knee osteoarthritis after tearing your ACL. Whatever the case, knee osteoarthritis is a very common cause of knee pain and is also one of the most seen chronic musculoskeletal conditions treated by physiotherapists.
WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and chronic condition that describes the degradation of the articular surfaces (hyaline cartilage) in the joints of our body. During the period from 2017/18, OA affected 1 in 11 Australians (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018), and it continues to be a leading cause of disability in people over 50 worldwide.
Our hyaline cartilage normally provides a smooth surface for the bones in our joints to glide and provide movement, and it also helps with transmitting load through the joint. When this hyaline cartilage weakens, it can develop cracks and wear away and therefore cause the articular surfaces to become rough. In late stage cases of OA, bone spurs and cysts can begin to form in the joints, which further lead to pain and the various symptoms of OA.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Some common symptoms of knee OA include:
pain with long periods of walking and/or standing
knee swelling
feelings of instability, clicking or crunching within the joint
knee stiffness with movements
changes to knee shape and/or leg posture
WHAT CAN CAUSE KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Common risk factors include:
Age: OA becomes increasingly common with each decade above the age of 45
Weight: higher BMI is associated with higher risk of knee OA
Past trauma or knee surgeries
Family history
Leg posture and biomechanics
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?
As osteoarthritis is so common and impacts millions of people, it is a highly researched topic. Current evidence suggests that physiotherapy can provide the benefits of both symptom management and return to function.
Physiotherapists will conduct a thorough assessment of your knee to determine the cause of your symptoms. They will also guide you through a treatment program that may involve:
Education and advice regarding activity/load modifications
Manual therapy (massage and joint mobilisations)
Knee bracing
Strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee
Conservative management options such as physiotherapy should be the first port of call when dealing with knee osteoarthritis, or indeed osteoarthritis in any region of the body. Research has shown that low impact exercise and strength programs are extremely effective in managing symptoms and improving function and quality of life. In fact, these treatments are often more effective, and certainly less invasive, than other options such as injections into the joint or surgical procedures, which tend to cost more, have more risk associated with them, have a more extended recovery, and do not necessarily result in better outcomes.
If you are dealing with knee pain or would like to know more about knee osteoarthritis, contact us for a chat about how we might help you!