Knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis or knee joint osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain. Osteoarthritis breaks down the softening and lubricating cartilage in the knee joint and it gradually changes. As the cartilage breaks down, bone rubs against bone, causing pain in the knee. It is common to feel pain when bending your knees or climbing stairs, but can also be felt at rest. Sometimes it can feel swollen and warm around the knee.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by several different things and it is not fully known what causes knee osteoarthritis, but the risk of getting it increases if you have injured your knee, have reduced muscle strength in your legs or are overweight. It may also be partly due to hereditary factors. Knee osteoarthritis does not always cause problems, but can develop slowly over time and is more common in older people.

The best way to prevent and treat osteoarthritis is through an active lifestyle and exercise. This strengthens the muscles and the area around the knee and provides better natural support. Strong leg muscles take pressure off the knee. You can get both treatment and help with an exercise programme from a physiotherapist. With an active lifestyle and regular exercise, you can reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis.

You can also benefit from a knee brace or knee protector for osteoarthritis. They may even be so effective that surgery can be postponed or avoided altogether. Knee braces provide increased stability and can be used both as a preventative measure and as a relief for an already injured knee. It keeps you warm and mobile, while providing good stability to the knee. These types of knee protectors have proven to be very effective and functional.