Knee Osteoarthritis

Myths, Facts, and What You Need to Know

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is more than just “old age catching up with you.” It’s a chronic condition affecting 1 in 8 Australians, with symptoms like knee pain, stiffness, swelling, cracking, and even weakness that can make everyday tasks feel like a challenge.

But there is good new… knee OA doesn’t have to stop you from moving and feeling well. With the right guidance and desire to get better, you can take control of your symptoms and get back to doing what you love.

What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee OA is a condition involving the degeneration of multiple knee structures, not just the cartilage. These include:

• Cartilage: The smooth surface that cushions and protects the joint.
• Subchondral bone: The layer just beneath the cartilage.
• Ligaments and joint capsule: These provide stability and structure.
• Synovium: The lining that produces lubricating fluid for the joint.

When these structures are compromised, you may experience an increase in mechanical stress and inflammation. This can feel like:

• Achy, sore, or catching pain.
• Stiffness, swelling, and cracking.
• Weakness or difficulty with stairs, walking uphill, or bending the knee.

How Common Is Knee OA?

Knee OA is more common than you might think:

• 1 in 8 Australians live with osteoarthritis.
• 73% of those affected are over 55 years old.
• 2 in 3 people with OA also have at least one other chronic health condition.

Despite its prevalence, not all OA cases require drastic measures like surgery. In fact, 9 out of 10 people with knee OA in the UK manage their condition successfully without joint replacement surgery.

Myths About Knee Osteoarthritis

There are many misconceptions about knee OA that can lead to unnecessary worry or treatment delays. Let’s set the record straight:

• Myth: Knee OA is just wear and tear.
  • Reality: OA has multiple risk factors, including weight, previous injury, activity levels, and smoking. Also, remember that if OA is just wear and tear, then technically every marathon runner should have OA… but this is not the case!
• Myth: Bone-on-bone changes cause your pain.
  • Reality: Pain isn’t always linked to the severity of joint degeneration. Some people with significant OA experience little to no pain.
• Myth: You need an X-ray to diagnose OA.
  • Reality: A good clinical assessment by a clinician familiar with OA is often all that’s needed.
• Myth: Medication is the best solution.
  • Reality: While medications can provide short-term relief, they are not a long-term solution according to current research guidelines. Their role is to manage pain temporarily so you can engage in physiotherapy and exercise programs that address your root causes of pain and reduced function.

Where Do We Go Wrong?

Many people with knee OA don’t receive the care they need. We know that up to 70% of people awaiting knee replacement surgery haven’t tried non-surgical management beyond medication. This may be due to not being aware that other options exist, costs of other treatments or feeling that there is no hope. But remember that by missing out on other treatment options, many people endure unnecessary pain and reduced mobility.

What Can You Do?

It’s important to understand that not everyone with knee OA will experience worsening symptoms. However, there are some factors that may increase your risk, such as lack of physical activity, repetitive stress on your joint beyond what it can tolerate, and a high Body Mass Index.

Additionally, there are some factors that can also intensify the pain you are experiencing with knee OA, such as depression, anxiety, poor self-confidence, and poor sleep.

To manage knee OA effectively, working with health professionals who understand all the different strategies for reducing pain and improving function is key. In the next section, we share some tips to help you get started.

Tips for Managing Knee OA

• Know that there is hope.
  Knee OA is not an inevitable part of aging, and progression is not guaranteed.
• Listen to your knee.
  Avoid pushing your knee beyond what it can handle and focus on gradual progress.
• Use a supportive brace.
  A compressive knee brace can help alleviate pain, improve stability and boost confidence.
• Enrol in our knee osteoarthritis rehab program.
  With our targeted exercises and professional guidance, we aim to reduce your symptoms and improve function by at least 50% within 12 weeks.

Do You Need an Expert?

We can help. At MoveImprove, we take a collaborative approach to managing knee OA. This includes:

• Early and accurate assessment to ensure effective planning.
• Helping you understand the different treatment options available and helping you decide what option is best for you
• Strategies you can use to manage your pain during flares-ups
• Access to our 12-week program designed to improve knee pain, function and overall health.
• Ongoing monitoring beyond 12-weeks to ensure continuous improvement
• Access to a network of healthcare professionals to support your journey.

Our goal is to help you regain control of your life by managing your symptoms effectively and sustainably.

Summary

Knee osteoarthritis is a manageable condition. By challenging the myths, understanding your options, and embracing a proactive approach, you can break free from the limitations of knee pain and get back to doing what you love.

If you’re ready to take the first step, contact us and Book An Appointment today and learn more about our comprehensive knee osteoarthritis program.

References:

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Osteotharthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standards (2024). https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard-2024

Hartwell M et al. Does Running Increase the Risk of Hip and Knee Arthritis? A Survery of 3804 Marathon Runners. (2024). Doi: 10.1177/19417381231190876