Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common knee complain amongst people especially after midlife. It commonly affect ones function and levels of activity. However, early diagnosis and treatment can help to manage the symptoms of knee OA. Today we are going to talk about 5 symptoms that you have have knee OA.

What is Knee OA?

It is a result of the wear and tear of the cartilage of the knee joint, which is the layer of cushion that we have between the joints. When the cartilage gets worn out, the bones of our knee joint rub against each other and result in pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee.

It usually causes pain and inflammation of the knee joint over a period of time. It can quite clearly show the lack of joint space within the knee on knee x-ray. The bone spurs or narrowing joint space is also typically seen on x-ray too.

5 Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

1. Feeling warm

The feeling of warmth in the knee is a common sign as there is usually inflammation of the knee joint in OA. This may also be accompanied with swelling too. Icing the area about 15 minutes will help in soothing the pain and warmth.

2. Gradual increase in pain

Knee Osteoarthritis pain usually starts slowly. At first, you may notice pain in the morning or after you’ve been inactive for a while. Your knees may be in pain when you climb stairs, stand up from a chair, or kneel. It may even hurt just to go for a walk. Knee pain that wakes you up from sleep can be a symptom of OA. With OA, symptoms may progress rapidly, or they may develop over several years, depending on the individual.

3. Buckling and locking

Knee Osteoarthritis can cause knee instability overtime and lead to give way or buckle. Bone spurs can also develop as the cartilage worn out and the bones rub together. These produce a bumpy surface that can cause the joint lock up, making it hard to bend or straighten out.

4. Cracking or popping sounds

As we know that Knee Osteoarthritis can result in cartilage damage. The rough surfaces and bone spurs develop and may rub against each other when you bend or straighten your knee. Thus you may feel a grinding sensation or hear cracking or popping sounds (crepitus).

5. Deformities of the knee

With OA, the muscles around the knee can become weak, resulting in a sunken appearance. The knees can start to point toward each other or bend outward. Knee deformities range from barely noticeable to severe and debilitating.

Seeking for help?

If you are starting to feel any of above signs and symptoms, do seek help early from our physiotherapists. Early diagnosis and treatment will help delay the exacerbation of the symptoms and preserve the longevity of your knee joint. Don’t leave it too late or endure the pain as we only have two legs!