Knee Arthritis

Understanding the causes of knee pain, stiffness, and loss of function due to joint degeneration

WHAT IS KNEE ARTHRITIS?

Knee arthritis is a common condition that affects the smooth movement of your knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It often develops gradually and can make it difficult to perform daily activities like walking, bending, or climbing stairs.

While there is no cure for arthritis, many treatment options are available to help manage your symptoms, preserve joint function, and maintain your quality of life. Dr Darren Paterson offers a thorough assessment of knee arthritis and works closely with each patient to develop a personalised treatment plan.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS THAT AFFECT THE KNEE

Arthritis can come in various forms

Osteoarthritis

The most common type, osteoarthritis typically affects people over 50. It occurs gradually as the cartilage in the knee wears down due to age, previous injury, or joint overload.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints (synovium), causing pain, swelling, and joint damage.

Post-traumatic arthritis

Arthritis that develops after an injury to the knee, such as a fracture, ligament tear, or meniscal damage. Even with successful healing, these injuries can increase the risk of long-term cartilage degeneration.

Other inflammatory types

Conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, gout, and lupus may also cause inflammation and damage within the knee joint.

Symptoms of knee arthritis

Symptoms may develop slowly and become more noticeable over time. Some people experience episodes of flare-ups, while others have persistent discomfort.

Common symptoms include:

Pain in or around the knee joint, especially with movement or weight-bearing

Morning stiffness or stiffness after periods of inactivity

Swelling or warmth in the knee

Grinding, clicking, or locking during movement

Reduced ability to fully straighten or bend the knee

Difficulty walking, standing, or using stairs

In more advanced cases, knee deformity (bowing or knock-knee appearance) may occur due to uneven joint wear.

How knee arthritis is diagnosed

A careful history, physical examination, and imaging are used to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition.

Dr Paterson may recommend:

X-rays to evaluate joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and alignment

MRI to assess soft tissues and cartilage in more detail (if needed)

Blood tests to rule out autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis

Joint aspiration in some cases to test for infection or crystal-related arthritis (such as gout)

Treatment options for hip pain following KNEE ARTHRITIS

Dr Paterson will begin by reviewing your medical history, surgical records, and current symptoms. A physical examination will assess your range of motion, joint stability, and areas of tenderness. Imaging and tests will then be used to confirm the cause of the pain.

Many patients with mild to moderate arthritis can manage their symptoms effectively without surgery. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your lifestyle, joint condition, and overall health.

Non-surgical options may include:

Physiotherapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee and improve joint function
Anti-inflammatory medications: To relieve pain and reduce inflammation (e.g. NSAIDs)
Weight management: Reducing excess weight helps decrease the load on the knee joint
Walking aids or bracing: To offload pressure and improve stability
Activity modification: Avoiding high-impact activities that worsen symptoms
Joint injections:

- Corticosteroid injections for temporary pain relief during flare-ups
- Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) in selected cases to lubricate the joint

These strategies aim to delay the need for surgery and maintain your mobility for as long as possible.

If arthritis progresses and symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life, surgical treatment may be considered. Surgery is generally recommended when:

Non-surgical treatments are no longer effective
Pain prevents you from walking, sleeping, or performing daily tasks
Your knee becomes unstable or severely deformed
Imaging confirms advanced joint degeneration

Dr Paterson offers a range of surgical solutions based on the location and extent of joint damage, as well as your age, activity level, and overall health.

Common surgical procedures include:

Knee arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure used to treat early-stage arthritis in selected cases, often combined with treatment of meniscal tears or cartilage damage.
Partial knee replacement: Suitable when arthritis affects only one part (compartment) of the knee. Preserves more of your natural joint and may result in faster recovery.
Total knee replacement: Recommended for patients with widespread arthritis affecting multiple areas of the knee. The damaged joint surfaces are replaced with smooth, artificial components to restore function and relieve pain.
Knee Osteotomy: A realignment procedure used in younger patients to shift weight away from the damaged area of the knee and preserve the joint.

With appropriate treatment, many people living with knee arthritis can manage their symptoms and maintain a good level of activity.

Recovery and long-term outlook for knee arthritis

One of the most common questions patients ask is whether knee arthritis can be reversed or cured. While arthritis is a long-term condition and the joint damage itself does not heal on its own, there are many ways to manage symptoms and slow its progression. With the right treatment plan, many people are able to maintain a good quality of life and stay active for years, even without surgery.

Can knee arthritis go away on its own?

Can you fully recover from knee arthritis?

What happens after surgery? Does arthritis come back?

Most patients with knee arthritis can expect to:

Manage their condition effectively with ongoing care
Maintain independence and daily activity
Return to walking, driving, and recreational activities after surgery
Benefit from long-lasting results, especially when surgery is timed appropriately

WHEN TO SEEK A REVIEW FOR KNEE ARTHRITIS OR ONGOING PAIN

It’s not always easy to know when knee pain is serious enough to require specialist attention. If your symptoms are interfering with your ability to walk, work, exercise, or sleep, it may be time to seek a review.

You should consider seeing Dr Paterson if you experience:

Persistent pain that lasts longer than a few weeks or keeps returning
Swelling in or around the joint that does not settle with rest or medication
Stiffness that limits your ability to bend, straighten, or move comfortably
Grinding or catching sensations when you walk or bend your knee
A feeling of instability or the knee “giving way”
Difficulty with everyday tasks such as climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, or walking more than a few hundred metres

Even if your symptoms are relatively mild, early intervention can help slow the progression of arthritis, protect your joint, and reduce the risk of future surgery. It’s important to remember that not all knee pain means surgery is required.

Dr Darren Paterson will provide a thorough assessment and help you explore non-surgical treatment options where appropriate. If surgery becomes necessary, he will guide you through each step of the process with a personalised care plan tailored to your goals and lifestyle.

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