Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common symptom which can present at any age. This can occur as the result of an injury and begin with a sudden onset of pain or it can be more longstanding without an obvious preceding event. Other problems which patients may notice include stiffness of the knee and sometimes inability to straighten the knee, swelling and popping or clicking within the knee.  As people age, the commonest cause of knee pain is typically osteoarthritis but there are other causes such as

• Bursitis - Several pockets of fluid exist around the knee joint called bursae; inflammation of these can cause pain
• Muscle, tendon and ligament sprain and tears
• Injury to a cartilage within the knee called the meniscus
• Injury to the articular cartilage (smooth lining of the bone at the joint)

Knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. It is common in older people. The disease affects the tissue lining the joints (articular cartilage). In osteoarthritis this cartilage becomes damaged and worn away. This causes pain, stiffness and restricted movement in the joint. It is commonest in the weight bearing joints of the hip and knee.

In Knee arthritis patients may notice that the shape of the knee changes and they may become increasingly ‘bow legged’ or ‘knock kneed’

Certain factors can predispose to the development of Osteoarthritis:

• Increasing age
• Family history of osteoarthritis
• Previous injury or fracture to the knee
• Obesity

What are the treatment options for knee osteoarthritis?

Knee arthritis can be well managed initially with none-surgery options. These include physiotherapy, weight loss, painkillers, and off-loader braces.

Injection therapy can help with pain management and can also allow patients to undertake rehabilitation with physio. Injections do not cure the osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) does not usually help patients with established osteoarthritis.

In patients with significant symptoms of pain and dysfunction despite these none-surgical measures knee replacement surgery can be undertaken. Options include partial and total knee replacement and both can achieve excellent outcomes in improving pain and function.

The National Joint Registry has an online tool (Patient Decision Support Tool) that can estimate the benefit you could gain after surgery, the risk of a revision procedure and the risk of death one year after the operation, which you may find helpful. To access this, please click here