Knee Osteoarthritis and Physiotherapy – From an Oakville Physio

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In a quick fix world of quick response and fast information, it is easy to expect the same from our body and from Physio. Our Physiotherapists, Chiropodist and RMTs, see many people at our Oakville Physio clinic with osteoarthritis (OA) related pain.

Knee OA can be related to the joint between the long bones (the tibiofemoral joint), and under the knee cap (the patellofemoral joint). It occurs when changes happen to the cartilage that lines the bony surface of the joints. It is important to note that imaging such as x-rays may show level of joint changes that do not necessarily relate to the amount of pain or dysfunction a person experiences.

What Causes Knee OA?

  • Age – as you age there may be some changes that occur in joint cartilage. There is a decline in your ability for the cartilage to repair itself with age.
  • Genetics
  • Weight your weight affects the loading of the joint surfaces and of the cartilage.
  • Previous knee injury
  • Jobs or Sports that repeatedly load the knee

What are the Symptoms of Knee OA?

  • Knee stiffness (changes in knee range of motion)
  • Swelling or puffiness of the knee
  • Feeling of warmth around the knee
  • Clicking or grinding with knee movements
  • A decrease in strength of the muscles around the knee due to self protection
  • Pain in the knee that is aggravated with repetitive activity
  • Pain in the knee that may progress. This may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

Yoga mat and exercise equipment looking out at Dundas and Bronte from our oakville Physio, massage and foot clinic

What does Physiotherapy do for Knee OA?

Physiotherapy is an important conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The goal of Physiotherapy, is to:

  • Help with some of the above symptoms
  • Help prevent progression of symptoms
  • Increase / normalize range of motion
  • Decrease pain
  • Increase strength
  • Increase function

Interaction with your Physiotherapist should dependent be dependent on the individual. The level at which a person presents, their function and their goals are all important factors.

It is also important to remember that changes in mobility, strength and function take time and work. Consistently and maintenance is incredibly important with regards to knee arthritis and even after any associated surgeries such as knee scopes or knee replacements.

Stairs - showing oakville RMT

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