Arthritis typically causes pain in your knee. It often feels difficult to climb stairs, squat, or walk.
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What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in your knee joint. Knee arthritis can make it challenging to climb stairs, walk comfortably, or get up from a chair. With treatment, however, many people are able to manage arthritis pain and stay active.
The knee joint is the strongest and largest joint in the body. It takes on a lot of weight and stress as you move through your daily activities. Because of this, the knee is the joint most commonly affected by arthritis.
The orthopedic team at Mass General Brigham Orthopedics provides expert diagnosis and management for knee arthritis. Our team is equipped with the latest effective treatments to help you find relief, including minimally invasive joint replacement surgery.
At Mass General Brigham Orthopedics, you’ll have access to a dedicated team of knee-focused orthopedic specialists. You’ll benefit from expert diagnosis and management for knee arthritis. Our team is equipped with the latest effective treatments to help you find relief, including minimally invasive joint replacement surgery.
Call 857-282-3300 to schedule a consultation or find a knee specialist.
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Types of knee arthritis
Several types of arthritis can affect your knee joint, including:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of knee arthritis. It develops when the protective cushioning (cartilage) around the knee joint wears away. It’s common for cartilage to break down as people age.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis develops after a knee injury. Broken bones, torn ligaments, and meniscus tears can all increase your risk of post-traumatic arthritis, even years after the injury.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This autoimmune condition causes inflammation and swelling in your joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms usually affect both knees. In other types of arthritis, symptoms tend to affect only one knee.
Knee arthritis symptoms
Usually, symptoms of knee arthritis start slowly and worsen over time. You may have:
- Clicking, grinding, or locking sensations in your knee
- Difficulty bending and straightening your knee
- Joint pain that worsens with certain weather patterns, such as before a thunderstorm
- Knee pain that is worst after resting for long periods
- Stiffness and swelling in your knee
What causes knee arthritis?
Different types of knee arthritis have different causes. For example, in osteoarthritis, cartilage wears down with time and use.
Certain factors increase your risk of knee arthritis, including:
- Age: Knee arthritis is more common in people of certain ages. Osteoarthritis is most common after 50, while rheumatoid arthritis usually develops between ages 30 and 50.
- Family history: A family history of arthritis or autoimmune diseases can increase your chances of developing arthritis.
- Health conditions: Obesity and a poorly aligned knee joint both increase your risk of arthritis.
- Lifestyle: Sports that strain your knees, such as running or skiing, can increase your chances of developing arthritis.
- Past injuries: A history of knee injuries, such as meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, raises your risk of post-traumatic arthritis.
Diagnosing knee arthritis
Diagnosing knee arthritis starts with a conversation about your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will examine your knee, check your range of motion, and may watch how you walk.
An X-ray is usually the first test used to look for signs of arthritis. If the X-ray shows osteoarthritis, you typically do not need additional tests.
If your symptoms or X-ray suggest rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition, your provider may order blood tests or more detailed imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, to learn more about your knee joint.
Knee arthritis treatment
There’s no cure for knee arthritis. But treatment can decrease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your treatment plan varies based on what symptoms you have and how severe they are.
For rheumatoid arthritis, your provider may refer you to a rheumatologist to discuss medications that can slow disease progression. For osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, treatment often focuses on managing pain, improving mobility, and strengthening the muscles that support your knee.
Concerned about knee arthritis? Request an appointment with a Mass General Brigham orthopedic specialist by calling 857-282-3300.
Lifestyle changes
Your provider may recommend lifestyle changes to reduce stress on your knee joint, such as:
- Choosing low-impact activities instead of high-impact exercise
- Losing weight, if recommended, to reduce pressure on your knees
Assistive devices
Certain tools can reduce knee arthritis pain, including:
- Braces to stabilize and take pressure off your knee
- Canes to assist your balance when you walk
Physical therapy
A physical therapist prescribes knee arthritis exercises to stabilize and strengthen your joint safely. You usually practice these exercises during physical therapy sessions and at home between appointments.
Medications
Depending on the type of knee arthritis you have, your provider may recommend:
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis
Injections for knee arthritis
Several types of knee injections can relieve symptoms and delay the need for surgery. An orthopedic specialist may offer:
- Steroid injections: Your provider injects a steroid medication directly into your knee. The steroid reduces inflammation around the joint, leading to temporary pain relief.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Your provider delivers a gel-like substance called hyaluronic acid to your knee joint. This gel can provide lubrication so you can move more freely without pain.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: Your provider takes a sample of your blood and separates out the platelets. They inject concentrated platelets back into your knee. PRP injections can reduce pain and inflammation while promoting tissue healing.
Surgery for knee arthritis
Many people successfully manage knee arthritis for years without surgery. However, when nonsurgical treatments no longer bring relief, your provider may recommend orthopedic surgery. Surgery options include:
- Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive procedure is not routinely used to treat knee arthritis alone. It may be considered when arthritis is minimal and a torn meniscus or other mechanical problem is the main source of symptoms. An orthopedic surgeon uses a flexible tube with a camera and light (arthroscope) to access your knee joint through small incisions. They remove and repair damaged tissue during this minimally invasive procedure.
- Osteotomy: An orthopedic surgeon realigns the bones in your shin or thigh to reduce pressure on your knee. This procedure may be a good choice if you have early-stage osteoarthritis on one side of your knee only.
- Partial knee replacement: Your orthopedic surgeon removes and replaces only one of your three knee compartments. This surgery is a good choice for people with damage in only one section of their knee.
- Total knee replacement: An orthopedic surgeon removes and replaces your entire knee joint with artificial parts. A joint replacement can significantly restore your function and range of motion.
How to prevent knee arthritis
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent knee arthritis. You can lower your risk by:
- Exercising regularly and limiting high-impact activities
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking, which increases inflammation and damages your cartilage
- Wearing protective equipment to prevent injuries when playing sports
FAQs about knee arthritis
Knee arthritis pain is usually felt in and around the knee. It may sometimes extend into the shin, but it typically does not radiate into the thigh, calf, or foot.
Yes, walking is good for many people with knee arthritis. It’s a low-impact exercise that improves muscle strength, balance, and range of motion.
You might hear your healthcare provider classify knee arthritis by its four stages:
- Stage 1: You have small bone spurs and some cartilage loss, but not enough to cause significant symptoms.
- Stage 2: Your cartilage is thinning and bone spurs are bigger. You might have knee pain on and off, especially after resting.
- Stage 3: You have significant cartilage damage and frequent symptoms.
- Stage 4: You have lost most or all of the cartilage in your knee, which causes your knee bones to rub together. People in this stage have significant, ongoing pain and stiffness.
Talk with a representative at our call center
For referring physicians
Mass General Brigham welcomes referrals from doctors whose patients need specialized evaluation and treatment for orthopedic conditions and injuries. Our specialists coordinate closely with referring providers and ensure clear, timely communication to support a smooth, seamless patient experience.
To refer a patient, please submit a referral through the Mass General Brigham provider portal.
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