Diagnosis and symptoms6 min read
What is knee osteoarthritis? Symptoms and stages
Knee osteoarthritis is thinning of the joint cartilage and change in joint structure over time. Known in Turkish as 'calcification', the process is in fact wear of cartilage tissue, not calcium deposition.
Symptoms
Morning stiffness is typical and usually lasts under thirty minutes. Stiffness exceeding an hour calls for assessment of inflammatory joint disease.
Pain increases with activity and eases with rest. Descending stairs, long walks and squatting are the most typical triggers.
Stiffness on rising after prolonged sitting, with difficulty in the first steps, is frequently reported and resolves within a few steps.
X-ray stage and pain
Some people with advanced arthritis on X-ray have no pain at all. Conversely, others with mild findings experience marked pain.
This weak relationship means treatment is planned by symptoms rather than stage. 'Stage four' alone does not decide surgery.
Factors determining pain include muscle strength, weight, activity level and inflammation around the joint. Most of these are modifiable.
Diagnosis and differentiation
Diagnosis rests on history, examination and, where needed, X-ray. Over forty-five, with activity-related knee pain and morning stiffness under thirty minutes, it can be made clinically.
Marked swelling, redness and warmth are not expected in osteoarthritis. These suggest inflammatory joint disease or joint infection.
Locking and giving-way raise the possibility of a meniscal or ligament problem. These do not form the main picture in osteoarthritis.
Key points
- The process is cartilage wear, not calcium deposition.
- Morning stiffness usually lasts under thirty minutes.
- There is a weak relationship between X-ray stage and pain.
- Treatment is planned by symptoms, not stage.
- Redness and warmth are not expected in osteoarthritis.
Frequently asked questions
Does cartilage regenerate?
Lost cartilage does not return. Pain and function can improve markedly, however; most patients become far better without the cartilage changing.
Does walking cause damage?
It does not. Regular walking supports joint nutrition and reduces pain. Immobility adversely affects cartilage health.
Is it hereditary?
Familial predisposition plays a role but is not the only determinant. Weight, previous knee injury, occupation and muscle strength matter at least as much.
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This content is for information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Response to treatment varies between individuals. Please consult a healthcare professional about your symptoms.