Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative, “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people as well.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone, producing painful bone spurs.

Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly, and the pain it causes worsens over time.

A knee joint affected by arthritis may be painful and inflamed. Generally, the pain develops gradually over time, although sudden onset is also possible.

Other symptoms include:

• The joint may become stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend and straighten the knee.
• Pain and swelling may be worse in the morning or after sitting or resting.
• Vigorous activity may cause pain to flare up.
• Loose fragments of cartilage and other tissue can interfere with smooth joint motion. The knee may “lock” or “stick” during movement and may creak, click, snap, or make a grinding noise (crepitus).
• Pain may cause a feeling of weakness or buckling in the knee.
• Many people with arthritis note increased joint pain with rainy weather.

There is no cure for arthritis, but there are several treatments to help relieve pain and disability.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Initial treatment of knee arthritis is typically nonsurgical. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Minimize activities that aggravate the condition, like climbing stairs.
• Switch from high-impact activities (e.g., jogging, tennis) to low-impact activities (e.g., swimming, cycling) to reduce stress on the knee.
• Lose weight to decrease stress on the knee joint, resulting in less pain and increased function.

Physical Therapy

Specific exercises can help increase range of motion, flexibility, and strength in the leg muscles. A physical therapist can help develop an individualized exercise program.

Assistive Devices

Using devices such as a cane, shock-absorbing shoes or inserts, or a brace can provide stability and support. An “unloader” brace shifts weight away from the affected knee area, while a “support” brace helps with the entire knee load.

Other Remedies

Applying heat or ice, using pain-relieving ointments or creams, and wearing elastic bandages may provide pain relief.

Surgical Treatment

Your doctor may recommend surgery if nonsurgical treatments do not relieve arthritis pain. They will discuss possible risks and complications with you beforehand.

Arthroscopy

In arthroscopy, small incisions and thin instruments are used to diagnose and treat joint issues. It is not commonly used for knee osteoarthritis, except when accompanied by a degenerative meniscal tear.

Synovectomy

This procedure removes joint lining damaged by rheumatoid arthritis to reduce pain and swelling.

Osteotomy

In a knee osteotomy, either the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone) is cut and reshaped to relieve knee joint pressure. This is used for early-stage osteoarthritis, which damages one side of the knee. An osteotomy can relieve pain and improve knee function.

Total or Partial Knee Replacement (Arthroplasty)

In knee replacement surgery, damaged cartilage and bone are replaced with metal or plastic joint surfaces to restore knee function.