Knee osteoarthritis can make the simplest tasks feel like a burden, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Knee osteoarthritis, often called “wear and tear arthritis,” happens as the cartilage in your knee joints wears down, leading to a painful joint and stiffness with every step. While you might associate joint pain with age, knee osteoarthritis affects younger patients, too, often leading them to look for ways to reduce pain, regain movement, and, most importantly, find lasting relief. Whether you’re dealing with minor discomfort or severe pain, treatments for knee osteoarthritis offer different levels of support — from lifestyle adjustments and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to physical therapy and even joint replacement surgery. When treated well, knee osteoarthritis doesn’t have to slow you down.

What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that gradually affects the knee joints, causing the articular cartilage to wear thin. As healthy cartilage deteriorates, the affected joint feels rough instead of smooth, making movement painful. The knee joint often swells and stiffens, leaving you with restricted motion and increasing the load on surrounding muscles. 

Osteoarthritis in the knee can also lead to bone spurs, which worsen stiffness and discomfort.

Knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, can present with a variety of symptoms that disrupt daily life and limit mobility. This form of arthritis primarily affects the knee joints, where the protective articular cartilage gradually wears away, leading to bone-on-bone contact that causes pain and discomfort. Here are some key symptoms to watch for with knee osteoarthritis:

Pain and Stiffness

Persistent discomfort and stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity, can make it difficult to fully extend or bend the knee.

Swelling and Tenderness

Inflammation in the affected joint may cause visible swelling and tenderness to the touch, particularly around the kneecap.

Reduced Range of Motion

Difficulty moving the knee smoothly can impact your ability to walk, climb stairs, or perform everyday activities.

Grinding or Popping Sensations

Due to worn cartilage, knee joints may make grinding, popping, or cracking sounds during movement.

Increased Pain with Weight-Bearing

Pain often worsens when standing, walking, or carrying weight due to the stress on already damaged joint surfaces.

These symptoms can lead to increased knee stiffness, limiting mobility and quality of life. Addressing them early with targeted treatments, such as knee injections, lifestyle adjustments, or physical therapy, can help manage the progression of osteoarthritis, treat pain quickly, and provide lasting relief.

Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

Effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis is all about helping you relieve pain and regain freedom of movement. Initial treatment often includes anti-inflammatory drugs to ease pain and physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the joint. Occupational therapy also plays a role by offering ways to manage day-to-day tasks without causing stress on the affected joint. If osteoarthritis pain persists, a knee brace or intra-articular corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief. Dietary supplements, like chondroitin sulfate, are common for joint health, although results vary among patients.

Those facing severe cases of knee osteoarthritis may require surgical treatment to replace or repair damaged joint surfaces. If surgery becomes necessary, options like partial knee replacement or arthroscopic surgery may help alleviate pain by targeting the damaged cartilage directly.

Non-Invasive Surgery

Surgery doesn’t always have to mean major procedures for osteoarthritis of the knee. Non-invasive treatments, like knee injections, can help relieve symptoms and offer pain relief without an artificial joint. Hyaluronic acid injections are one option known to replenish joint fluid, aiding in smoother movement and reducing stress on the knee. In cases where non-invasive methods aren’t enough, minimally invasive surgeries can provide relief by removing damaged cartilage or reshaping bone spurs. Procedures like knee osteotomy can help realign the knee, particularly for those with one side of the knee more worn than the other. These alternatives are valuable for younger patients who may want to avoid joint replacement surgery and keep healthy cartilage for as long as possible.

Can Biologics Help With Cartilage Regeneration?

The idea of regenerating cartilage for knee osteoarthritis is appealing, and biologics could play a crucial role in future treatments. Biologics, derived from living cells such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, may help reduce pain, repair damaged joint tissues, and promote cartilage growth, offering hope for those seeking alternative therapies to traditional surgeries. While still in development and undergoing testing, biologics have shown potential in managing wear and tear arthritis by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy are among the biologic options being explored to treat knee OA. These treatments offer promising solutions for osteoarthritis pain by focusing on rebuilding joint health rather than simply masking symptoms. Biologic treatments could soon provide an innovative approach to treating osteoarthritis and restoring joint strength naturally.

Find a Trusted Orthopedic Surgeon for Your Treatment

Finding a skilled orthopedic surgeon can make all the difference when knee osteoarthritis limits your life. A qualified orthopedic surgeon evaluates your medical history, assesses knee stiffness, and examines your overall joint health. One Oak Medical has a proven and well-respected team ready to help. We utilize specialized diagnostic techniques, tools, and proven treatments to help identify the extent of the joint damage and how far it has progressed and develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient. 

We aim to reduce pain and substantially improve your overall quality of life. Whether recommending physical therapy, knee injections, or a more advanced surgical solution, they aim to relieve pain while preserving as much natural function as possible. An experienced orthopedic surgeon will help you choose the best approach for your lifestyle, age, and condition level.

Schedule Your Initial Knee Osteoarthritis Consultation in North Jersey Today

If knee osteoarthritis affects your ability to stay active, it’s time to seek expert advice. During your initial consultation, a physical examination will help pinpoint specific joint issues, from damaged cartilage to joint space narrowing. Blood tests may be ordered to rule out other musculoskeletal and skin diseases that mimic osteoarthritis symptoms. Once your diagnosis is clear, you’ll receive a personalized plan to manage pain, maintain muscle strength, and, if necessary, explore surgical management. Whether your path includes anti-inflammatory drugs, a knee brace, or surgical intervention, each step in your care plan will be tailored to fit your condition and goals. By working closely with a knowledgeable orthopedic team, you can regain control over your life and reduce the impact of osteoarthritis on your daily activities.