Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones in the knee joint gradually wears down. This leads to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It is a common condition, particularly among older adults, but it can also affect younger individuals due to factors such as injury or genetics.

As people get older, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint naturally wears down, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.

Activities that involve frequent kneeling, squatting, lifting, or repetitive knee movements can accelerate cartilage breakdown. Past knee injuries, such as ligament tears, meniscus injuries, or fractures, can also increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis.

Obesity places additional stress on the knee joint, accelerating cartilage wear and contributing to inflammation.

Other structural issues such as weak or imbalanced muscles around the knee, and bow-leggedness (varus alignment) or knock-knees (valgus alignment) can also lead to faster cartilage degeneration.

Knee replacement surgery is recommended for people suffering from severe knee osteoarthritis, particularly those with: