Knee arthritis, also known as knee osteoarthritis, is a common condition that can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement in the knee joint. It can develop gradually over time or following an injury, and symptoms can vary considerably from person to person.
Although the changes within the joint cannot usually be reversed, there is a great deal that can be done to relieve discomfort, improve movement and help you remain active.
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we focus on helping you feel more comfortable, restoring mobility and improving the long-term function of your knee.
What is knee arthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones within the knee joint gradually changes and becomes thinner or damaged.
Healthy cartilage provides a smooth, protective surface that allows the bones to move easily against one another and helps distribute forces through the joint.
As osteoarthritis develops, changes can occur not only in the cartilage but also in the underlying bone, joint lining and surrounding tissues. The joint may become inflamed, and additional bone growths, known as osteophytes or bone spurs, can develop around its edges.
These changes can contribute to stiffness, discomfort and reduced mobility.
However, the amount of arthritis visible on an X-ray does not always reflect the amount of pain someone experiences. Some people have significant arthritic changes with very few symptoms, while others experience considerable discomfort with relatively mild changes.
What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?
Symptoms can develop gradually and may fluctuate, with periods when the knee feels relatively comfortable and others when it becomes more painful or stiff.
Symptoms that may be associated with knee arthritis include:
- A deep, aching pain within or around the knee
- Stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
- Pain when walking, particularly downhill or downstairs
- Swelling or a feeling of fullness around the joint
- Clicking, grinding or crunching sensations during movement
- A feeling that the knee might give way
- Occasional catching or locking sensations
- Tightness or aching in the muscles surrounding the knee
As the condition progresses, everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, gardening or getting up from a chair may become more difficult.
Pain may also arise from the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee, which can become irritated or overloaded as they work to support the joint.
Do these symptoms always mean knee arthritis?
Not necessarily. Many of the symptoms associated with knee arthritis can also occur with other knee conditions, including problems involving the kneecap, tendons, meniscus or surrounding muscles.
Pain, swelling or a feeling that the knee might give way does not automatically mean you have arthritis.
This is why a thorough clinical assessment is important. At Corsham Physiotherapy, we look beyond the symptoms themselves to understand what may be causing your discomfort, so that we can recommend the most appropriate treatment.
What causes knee arthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis usually develops through a combination of factors rather than one single cause.
These may include:
- Age-related changes: The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.
- Previous injuries: Damage to the cartilage, meniscus or ligaments can increase the risk of arthritis developing later.
- Repetitive joint loading: Certain activities or occupations involving repeated heavy loading may contribute to joint changes.
- Genetics: Some people have an inherited tendency to develop osteoarthritis.
- Body weight: Additional weight increases the load passing through the knee joint.
- Joint alignment and biomechanics: The way forces are distributed through the knee can influence which areas of the joint are placed under greater stress.
- Muscle weakness: Reduced strength around the knee and hip can affect how effectively the joint is supported.
Osteoarthritis is not simply an inevitable consequence of getting older, and having arthritis does not mean you should stop exercising. Appropriate movement and strengthening can play an important part in managing the condition.
How do we assess knee arthritis?
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we begin by discussing your symptoms, how they have developed and how they are affecting your everyday activities.
We then carry out a thorough clinical assessment to understand how your knee is functioning and identify the structures and factors that may be contributing to your discomfort.
Our assessment helps us distinguish between symptoms associated with arthritis and those that may have another cause, or a combination of causes.
In many cases, knee osteoarthritis can be diagnosed clinically without the need for an X-ray, although we can advise if further investigation would be beneficial.
Our findings help us agree a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and goals.
How do we treat knee arthritis?
Although the changes within an arthritic knee cannot usually be reversed, there is often a great deal we can do to improve pain, stiffness and mobility.
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we recognise that much of the discomfort associated with knee arthritis can arise from inflammation and irritation in the tissues surrounding the joint, rather than simply from the cartilage changes themselves.
Our initial priority is to relieve these symptoms and help you move more comfortably.
We use a combination of physiotherapy techniques, including specialist electrotherapy where appropriate, to help manage pain and inflammation and improve joint function.
As symptoms become more manageable, we work on improving mobility, strength and stability, helping your knee cope more effectively with everyday activities.
Treatment is always tailored to your individual needs, taking into account the severity of your symptoms, your mobility and the activities you would like to return to.
Our aim is to help you remain active, comfortable and confident in your knee for as long as possible.
Where symptoms are more advanced or are not responding sufficiently to treatment, we can advise on further investigation or referral to an appropriate knee specialist.
How long does knee arthritis take to heal?
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, and physiotherapy cannot reverse the structural changes that have already occurred within the joint.
However, this does not mean that your symptoms cannot improve significantly.
Many people experience improvements in pain, stiffness, movement and everyday function with appropriate treatment and exercise.
The time taken to notice an improvement depends on the severity of your symptoms, how long they have been present and how your knee responds to treatment.
Some people notice an improvement in comfort relatively quickly, while improvements in strength and physical function generally take longer.
Our aim is not simply to provide short-term relief but to help you manage your knee arthritis effectively so that you can continue doing the activities that matter to you.
If your symptoms are severe, your mobility is becoming increasingly restricted or physiotherapy is unlikely to provide sufficient improvement, we can discuss referral to an appropriate knee specialist or orthopaedic surgeon.
Why choose Corsham Physiotherapy for knee arthritis?
Living with knee arthritis doesn’t have to mean simply putting up with the pain.
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we have considerable experience helping people manage knee arthritis, from those experiencing early symptoms to those with more advanced joint changes.
We understand that knee pain is not always caused by the arthritic changes alone. By looking at the joint and the surrounding tissues, we can identify factors that may be contributing to your discomfort.
Our approach combines experienced clinical assessment with a wider range of treatment options, including specialist electrotherapy, allowing us to tailor treatment to your individual needs.
We believe that relieving symptoms is an important part of successful rehabilitation. Rather than focusing on exercises alone, we aim to help you feel more comfortable, improve your movement and build the strength and confidence needed to stay active.
Whether your goal is to walk further, manage stairs more comfortably, return to exercise or simply get through the day with less pain, we will work with you towards achieving it.
Knee Arthritis Treatment in Corsham and Surrounding Areas
Our clinic is based in Corsham, Wiltshire, and we welcome patients from Chippenham, Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Box, Lacock, Calne, Bath and the surrounding villages.
If you’re experiencing knee pain or stiffness, our experienced physiotherapists can help identify the cause of your symptoms and discuss suitable treatment options.
Book an appointment for knee arthritis
If knee pain or stiffness is affecting your walking, exercise or everyday activities, our experienced physiotherapists can help.
Contact Corsham Physiotherapy on 01249 712288 or by emailing hello@corshamphysiotherapy.co.uk or book online to arrange an assessment and find out how we can help you move more comfortably.