Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your knee joint. The classic sign is stiffness and aching that gets worse on stairs and after long periods of standing. It is common, and it does not automatically mean surgery.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis (knee OA) happens when the smooth cartilage that lets your knee bones glide against each other wears down over time.
As that cushioning thins, bone can begin to move closer to bone with every step, which is what produces the stiffness, aching, and grinding sensation many people describe. Pain is usually worse with activity, especially stairs, kneeling, or standing for long stretches, and eases somewhat with rest. Morning stiffness is common too, though it typically loosens up within 30 minutes of moving around.
Risk factors include age, a past knee injury, extra weight on the joint, repetitive knee strain from work or sport, and family history. Knee OA tends to progress slowly over years, which is exactly why it responds well to being managed early rather than waited out.
When knee pain needs urgent care
Most knee osteoarthritis is not an emergency. Seek emergency care now if you have:
- A knee that suddenly can’t bear any weight after an injury
- Visible deformity or the joint looks out of place
- Fever with a hot, red, and swollen knee (possible joint infection)
- A knee that locks and will not bend or straighten
- Sudden, severe swelling right after an injury
- Signs of a blood clot: one calf swollen, warm, and painful
How knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed and treated
Knee OA is usually diagnosed with a physical exam and an X-ray, which shows how much joint space has narrowed. Treatment aims to relieve pain, protect the joint, and keep you moving:
- Lifestyle steps: targeted physical therapy and, when relevant, weight management take real pressure off the joint.
- Medication and injections: anti-inflammatory medication or joint injections can calm pain and swelling.
- Minimally invasive procedures: genicular artery embolization (GAE) can reduce inflammation inside the knee joint through a small catheter, without surgery.
- Knee replacement: reserved for advanced cases where other options have not given enough relief.
Most people are not choosing between “do nothing” and “get a new knee.” There is real middle ground, and the right path depends on how far things have progressed, which only an exam can tell you.
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Questions people ask about knee osteoarthritis
What is the main sign of knee osteoarthritis?
Pain and stiffness that worsen with activity, especially stairs or standing, and morning stiffness that loosens up within about 30 minutes. A grinding or clicking sensation is also common.
Who is at risk for knee osteoarthritis?
Age, a past knee injury, extra weight on the joint, repetitive knee strain, and family history all raise the risk.
Do I need knee replacement surgery?
Not necessarily. Many people manage knee osteoarthritis with physical therapy, medication, and options like genicular artery embolization before knee replacement is ever considered.
Is knee osteoarthritis serious?
It is usually not an emergency, but it can progress if left unaddressed. The good news is that it responds well to treatment, especially when caught and managed early.
Knee pain slowing you down?
Get matched with a specialist near you who can evaluate your knee and walk you through every option, not just surgery.
Find a Specialist Near YouLast updated July 2026