Common Symptoms
- Pain during walking or on stairs
- Stiffness after rest or in the morning
- Pain around the inner or other part of the knee
- Swelling, reduced movement or gradual change in joint shape
What Causes It?
- Age-related cartilage and joint change
- Body-weight and repeated loading factors
- Previous knee injury
- Lower-limb alignment and movement factors
How Is It Diagnosed?
The doctor first reviews your symptoms, any injury and relevant medical history, then performs a clinical examination and arranges investigations only when appropriate. Not every patient needs imaging.
- Clinical assessment of pain, movement and function
- Standing X-rays when they will help assess joint change
- Walking, strength and lower-limb alignment assessment
- Evaluation of joint stability and other possible causes of knee pain
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, impact on function and relevant examination or investigation findings.
- Exercise, strength training and activity modification
- Weight management where relevant
- Medication for pain or inflammation when appropriate
- Hyaluronic acid or another injection option for selected patients after assessment
- Joint replacement assessment when symptoms and functional limitation remain substantial despite non-operative care
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Seek prompt medical assessment, or urgent care according to severity, if any of the following occurs:
- Obvious deformity or inability to bear weight after trauma
- A hot, red and swollen knee with fever or systemic illness
- Sudden calf swelling, breathing difficulty or chest pain
- Rapid deterioration in pain, swelling or joint function
Recovery and Daily Activities
In earlier stages, load management and strength training may reduce pain and maintain function. If symptoms become advanced, treatment decisions consider daily-life impact, imaging, response to non-operative care and overall health rather than age alone.
Activities should be progressed according to symptoms, function and response to treatment. Ask a doctor or physiotherapist for advice if symptoms persist or affect work or daily activities.
Dr. Yuen Explains
Related Health Education Video
Health Education Video
Knee Pain Q&A: Managing Knee Osteoarthritis
Dr Yuen Chi Pan explains the key symptoms, assessment considerations and treatment or rehabilitation principles related to knee pain q&a: managing knee osteoarthritis.
Watch VideoFrequently Asked Questions
Does knee osteoarthritis always lead to joint replacement?
No. Assessment considers pain, functional impact, imaging, response to non-operative treatment and personal goals.
Will walking make osteoarthritis worse?
Appropriate activity can help maintain function. The amount and type of activity should be adjusted to pain, strength, walking pattern and joint condition.
Can weight management and physiotherapy help?
For some patients, weight management, strengthening and movement training can improve daily load tolerance and function. The plan should be individualised.
When may joint replacement be considered?
The decision considers persistent pain, daily function, imaging, response to non-operative care and overall health, rather than age or a single test alone.
Still Unsure What May Be Causing Your Symptoms?
Similar symptoms may have different causes. If pain persists, affects activity or progressively worsens, consider an individual medical assessment.