Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time. You may notice:

• Knee pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
• Morning stiffness that usually lasts less than 30 minutes
• Swelling and tenderness around the knee joint
• Reduced range of motion and difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee
• Grinding sensation (crepitus) when moving your knee
• Knee instability or feeling like your knee may “give out”
• Bone spurs that feel like hard lumps around the joint

These symptoms often interfere with everyday activities like climbing stairs, walking long distances, or getting up from chairs.

Knee osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage in your knee joint breaks down faster than your body can repair it. Several factors increase your risk:

Age: While osteoarthritis can occur at any age, it’s most common after age 50 as cartilage naturally becomes less resilient over time.

Previous injuries: Past knee injuries, including torn ligaments or meniscus tears, significantly increase your risk of developing arthritis later in life.

Excess weight: Extra pounds put additional stress on weight-bearing joints like your knees, accelerating cartilage breakdown.

Genetics: Family history of osteoarthritis increases your likelihood of developing the condition.

Repetitive stress: Jobs or activities that involve repetitive knee stress can contribute to cartilage wear over time.

At Synergy Health Partners, our orthopedic specialists use a comprehensive approach to diagnose knee osteoarthritis accurately. Your evaluation includes:

Physical examination: We assess your knee’s range of motion, stability, and areas of tenderness while checking for swelling and deformity.

Medical history review: We discuss your symptoms, previous injuries, family history, and how the condition affects your daily activities.

Imaging studies: X-rays are the primary tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis, showing joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other changes. In some cases, we may recommend MRI to evaluate soft tissues like cartilage and ligaments in greater detail.

Joint fluid analysis: If significant swelling is present, we may analyze fluid from your knee to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.

You should schedule an appointment with our orthopedic specialists if you experience:

• Persistent knee pain lasting more than a few days
• Significant swelling that doesn’t improve with rest and over-the-counter treatments
• Knee stiffness that limits your daily activities
• Grinding or clicking sounds accompanied by pain
• Knee instability or episodes of your knee “giving out”
• Difficulty sleeping due to knee pain

Early intervention can help slow the progression of osteoarthritis and preserve your knee function longer. Don’t wait until your symptoms become severe – our team can help you manage your condition effectively at any stage.