Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee happens when cartilage in your knee joint breaks down. When this happens, the bones in your knee joint rub together, causing friction that makes your knees hurt, become stiff or swell. Osteoarthritis in the knee can’t be cured but there are treatments that can relieve symptoms and slow your condition’s progress.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is very common. Approximately 46% of people will develop it during their lifetimes.

Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis of the knee. Most people develop this condition after age 40. But other factors such as injury or genetics can cause it to happen earlier.

Knee pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis in the knee, making it painful for you to jog, run, climb stairs or kneel. It can also make your knees feel stiff or swollen. Over time, osteoarthritis of the knee can change the shape of your knee joint, making your joint feel unstable or wobbly.

Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis in the knee. Your knee might hurt when you move it, or even when you are just sitting still. Other symptoms are:

• knee feels stiff, particularly when you first get up or when you’ve been sitting for a long time.
• knee looks swollen or feels puffy.
• You hear a cracking or grinding noise when you move your knee.
• Your knee feels wobbly, as if it could buckle or “give out."
• Your knee might lock up, or feel as if it is stuck.