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HelloPhysio offers customized therapy for knee osteoarthritis to help you get back on your feet and live life to the fullest. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition affecting millions worldwide, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. It most commonly affects weight-bearing joints like the knees, but with advances in physiotherapy, there is hope for those looking for practical, non-invasive solutions.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the gradual breakdown of the articular cartilage, the smooth, rubbery tissue that cushions the bones and allows for frictionless movement within the knee joint. It can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, including age, obesity and previous joint injuries. In osteoarthritis, this protective layer wears away over time, and bone-on-bone contact, inflammation and knee pain occur.
Knee OA can be staged from mild to severe. The most severe stage often requires surgery. Understanding these stages helps in tailoring treatment to the individual patient. It is most common in middle-aged and older adults but can occur earlier due to injury or genetic predisposition. Contributing factors are age, obesity, previous knee injury, overuse from repetitive movements and a family history of arthritis.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis develop gradually and may include joint stiffness, pain during or after activity, swelling and reduced range of motion. You may also experience a grinding sensation or popping sound during movement. Luckily, physiotherapy has multiple intervention strategies, whether manual therapy or technology-based.
Prevalence of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), knee OA is the 11th leading cause of disability globally, with 22.9% of people aged 40 or older affected.
The prevalence of knee OA is expected to increase with the growing ageing population and rising obesity rates. This is why early diagnosis and effective management are key to minimising the impact of knee osteoarthritis on people’s quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Primary Causes
The exact primary causes of knee osteoarthritis are not fully understood, but several are thought to be involved. Genetic predisposition is one of them. You are more likely to get osteoarthritis if you have a family history of osteoarthritis. Age is another major factor. The risk of knee OA increases as the joint cartilage wears down over time. Obesity is also a risk factor. Excess body weight stresses knee joints and accelerates cartilage breakdown. Joint trauma, such as sports or accident injuries, can also lead to knee osteoarthritis, especially if the injury is severe or recurrent.
Secondary Causes
Secondary knee osteoarthritis can arise from various conditions and lifestyle factors. Joint injuries such as fractures or ligament tears can damage the cartilage and lead to OA. Infections that affect the joints can also contribute to the condition. Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint inflammation and damage and increase the risk of secondary knee OA. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and gout, are risk factors for knee OA, too. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can exacerbate the condition by putting extra stress on the knee joints and reducing overall joint health.
By understanding these causes and risk factors, people can take proactive steps to manage their knee health and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. Research has shown significant differences in the impact of secondary causes on knee osteoarthritis progression.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis vary depending on the stage of the condition. Common symptoms are:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Limited mobility and flexibility
- Swelling and inflammation
- Grinding or crunching sensation in the joint
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
Knee OA is diagnosed through physical examination, medical history and imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans. The McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is a widely used questionnaire to assess the severity of knee OA symptoms. This index evaluates pain, stiffness, and physical function, providing a comprehensive picture of the patient’s condition and guiding treatment.
Manual Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
Manual therapy for knee osteoarthritis uses hands-on techniques by skilled physiotherapists to mobilize joints and reduce stiffness and pain. It improves joint alignment and restores range of motion and circulation. Joint mobilization enhances mechanisms such as conditioned pain modulation, which can reduce pain and dysfunction associated with knee OA. A systematic review of existing research has shown manual therapy can effectively manage knee OA symptoms.
By gently mobilizing the knee joint, manual therapy reduces adhesions and stiffness and promotes synovial fluid circulation, essential for joint lubrication and cartilage nutrition. It also reduces muscle tension around the knee and eases spasms that worsen joint pain.
Manual therapy stimulates mechanoreceptors in the knee for immediate relief. Finally, soft tissue mobilization increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area to repair and reduce inflammation.
Exercise Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
Exercise therapy is a cornerstone in the management of knee osteoarthritis. It is a structured program of physical activities designed to improve joint function mobility and reduce pain. For people with knee OA, exercise therapy aims to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility and overall joint health. By incorporating exercise into their daily routine, people with knee OA can see significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for knee osteoarthritis is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy sound waves to the affected knee joint to manage chronic pain and stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
ESWT stimulates fibroblasts in the knee to produce collagen essential for cartilage strength, elasticity and surrounding tissues. ESWT also promotes angiogenesis, forming new blood vessels to increase circulation and nutrient delivery to the knee joint to support cartilage repair and reduce pain.
For patients with calcifications around the joint, ESWT breaks down the calcifications, improves joint flexibility and reduces discomfort. Shockwave Therapy for knee OA desensitises nerve endings, disrupts pain pathways and provides immediate and long-term relief for OA symptoms. ESWT is a new and promising treatment for knee OA, and several randomised clinical trials have been conducted to support its efficacy.
INDIBA Activ for Knee Osteoarthritic Conditions
INDIBA® Activ is another advanced treatment for knee osteoarthritis where radiofrequency energy at a specific frequency (448 kHz) is delivered to the knee to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation and pain non-invasively. Systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness and safety of INDIBA Activ for knee OA.
INDIBA Activ stimulates cellular metabolism by stimulating ion exchange across cell membranes, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the living cell’s energy source) production and energising cells to repair tissue. It also dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow to the knee joint to deliver nutrients, oxygen, and clear inflammatory byproducts.
Also, like ESWT and manual therapy, INDIBA Activ modulates nerve activity to reduce pain perception and provides long-term relief. It reduces swelling and inflammation by normalising tissue temperature and supporting lymphatic drainage, making it an excellent treatment for OA symptoms.
Treatment Plan at HelloPhysio
Therapy for osteoarthritis (OA) knee conditions has come a long way. A treatment plan for knee OA is a multi-disciplinary approach, including physical therapy, exercise therapy, pain management, and adjunctive modalities. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, improve joint function, and quality of life. By combining these approaches, patients can significantly improve symptoms and joint health.
Whether seeking relief from chronic symptoms or exploring advanced treatments, the experienced team at HelloPhysio is here to guide you toward better mobility and quality of life. Contact HelloPhysio today to learn more about our personalized therapies for knee osteoarthritis.
