What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a multifactorial condition where joint pain and stiffness arises due to a disruption in the articular cartilage. The cartilage is a flexible and slippery material that is designed to protect the bones in the knee from friction and impact, however overtime this structure changes which reduces its ability for shock absorption at the knee joint.
Osteoarthritis can significantly impact day-to-day activities, so it is important to know what management strategies are available to optimise quality of life. A better understanding of the condition and treatments like physiotherapy can help people continue to do activities that are most important to them like walking, running, hiking or even mountain biking.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Joint stiffness – especially in the morning
Joint swelling and inflammation
Joint pain
Crepitus in the knee – grinding or crunching sensation
Muscle weakness
What can you do about knee osteoarthritis?
There are many things you can do to manage your condition including:
Educate yourself about the condition
This will allow you to make informed decisions and play an active role throughout management.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist can provide you with tools and techniques to reduce pain, improve strength and improve your movement. This may involve advice to encourage self-management of your condition and designing an individualised exercise program to help you reach your goals.
Lifestyle modifications
Improving your diet, managing your weight and staying active. By keeping to a healthy weight you will reduce the amount of stress through your knee joints which will help relieve symptoms and slow cartilage loss.
Pain Management
Visit your doctor for medication suggestions.
Benefits of Physiotherapy and Exercise:
The saying ‘motion is lotion’ couldn’t be more true. Movement is a crucial part of osteoarthritis management and joint nutrition as it provides many benefits, some of which are listed below:
- Relieve joint pain
- Decrease joint stiffness
- Weight management
- Improve sleep
- Build flexibility, strength and muscle endurance
- Increase energy
- Decrease stress levels
- Gives you a sense of control over your condition
- Reduce risk of chronic health conditions
Exercises:
Exercises that strengthen the muscles around your hip and knee will help support your joints. Stronger muscles allow you to do more with less pain. Listed below are three strengthening exercises that are easy to do once per day:
Wall Sit: 4 x 30 second holds
Knee Extension: 3 x 10 reps
Glute Bridges: 3 x 10 reps
For more information or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us on (07) 3399 3318, or book an appointment. Visiting PEAK may be the first step you take towards taking control of your health and reaching goals you never thought possible.
Katie Muscat
Physiotherapist
PEAK
Let's get started — How can we help?
Physiotherapy
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Hawthorne
- Phone: (07) 3399 3318
- Fax: (07) 3319 6577
Address
5/171 Riding Road,Hawthorne, QLD, 4171 Get Directions
Opening Hours -
6 days per week
- Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.
New Farm
- Phone: (07) 3399 4668
- Fax: (07) 3319 6577
Address
1/15 Lamington Street,New Farm, QLD, 4005 Get Directions
Opening Hours -
6 days per week
- Monday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.