Knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is cartilage wear in the knee joint. It can cause aching, stiffness, swelling, and trouble with stairs, kneeling, or longer walks.

What it feels like

People notice start-up pain, stiffness after sitting, and aching that builds with load.

Swelling, weather sensitivity, and grinding sensations are common. Pain may sit in the medial joint line, the kneecap region, or diffusely.

Flare days can limit confidence even when x-rays have looked the same for years.

What is going on

Cartilage loss, bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation combine to produce pain. Alignment and prior injury influence which compartment wears first.

X-rays usually establish the diagnosis. MRI helps when meniscus or other soft-tissue questions would change care.

Strength and load management often change symptoms even when the x-ray stays the same.

How we evaluate

We examine alignment, effusion, range, ligament stability, and patellofemoral tracking alongside imaging.

Meniscus tears commonly coexist with OA; we decide whether the tear is the main acute driver or part of degenerative change.

Injection planning includes confirmation that the joint is the dominant pain source.

What we may offer

Education, dosing of activity, weight-bearing strength, and therapy are core for most mild to moderate disease.

Corticosteroid or viscosupplementation injections may help selected flares. PRP injections are discussed for appropriate knee OA cases with evidence in view.

Advanced disease with refractory limitation leads to timely arthroplasty conversations with surgical partners.

Is bone-on-bone the end of nonoperative care?

Not automatically. Function, pain pattern, and response to rehab and injections still guide timing.

Can PRP help knee osteoarthritis?

For selected patients it may help symptoms. We discuss candidacy and expectations rather than promising cartilage restoration.

Should I stop walking?

Usually no. We adjust volume and surface so you keep moving without constant flares.

Do I need an MRI for knee OA?

Often x-rays are enough. MRI is useful when the story suggests another soft-tissue problem that would change the plan.