Outline

• What Is the Knee OA?
• What Causes OA Of The Knee?
• The Grading And Symptoms 
• Physiotherapy Management
• Summary

What Is Knee OA?

Knee OA (Osteoarthritis) is a wear-and-tear joint problem that happens when the cartilage (end of bone coverage) in the knee breaks down over time. That is why it is called a degenerative disorder. It’s something you mostly see in older people. 3

Secondly, Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that gets worse over time and can lead to disability. Although the severity differs for everyone. The speed at which it progresses also varies from person to person and is linked to the cause.

What Causes OA Of The Knee?

It is important to note that there are two types of Knee OA: primary and secondary, depending on its cause:

Primary knee OA happens when the cartilage in the knee breaks down for no reason. And it is also considered age-related wear and tear. 3

Secondary knee OA is a result of cartilage breakdown due to specific causes. Some are; 

• Obesity
• Joint hypermobility or instability
• Malpositioning of the Knee joint, e.g: valgus/varus posture
• Previous injury to the joint
• Immobilization and loss of mobility
• Family history
• Knee joint overuse 4

The Grading And Symptoms

Firstly, the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system is a popular way to classify knee OA severity based on X-ray images. However, It has five grades, starting from Grade 0 (no OA at all) to Grade 4 (severe OA). 2

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Grade 0: No signs of OA on the X-ray.

1: Some uncertain signs of joint space narrowing and maybe a few bone spurs forming.

2: Clear presence of bone spurs and some narrowing of the joint space.

3: Multiple noticeable bone spurs, definite narrowing of the joint space, some hardening of tissue, and possible deformity.

4: Big bone spurs, significant narrowing of the joint space, severe hardening, and visible deformity. 2

Consequently, grade 2-4 can present clinical manifestations of pain, swelling, stiffness, and trouble moving your affected knee joint. 3

Due to these signs, you may have reduced movement that can cause your muscles to weaken, making physical activities difficult.

For instance, it can make your joint unusable and cause long-term pain. You may feel pain even when resting. 4

Osteoarthritis can significantly reduce your quality of life. Because it makes movement painful and challenging, which can hinder you from doing home or social activities. Hence, It can negatively affect your mental health, sleep, and relationships. 4

However, the good news is that you can manage the signs of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and slow down the progression. Thus, the need to see your clinician.

Physiotherapy Management

Although physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. It certainly reduces pain, improves function, and enhances quality of life. 1

Your Knee may require some Key Physiotherapy Interventions such as:

• Therapeutic Exercises: Strengthening muscles around your knee and boosting joint flexibility. 1&4
• Patient Education: Teaching self-management strategies like weight control, activity pacing, and posture awareness to reduce the symptoms.
• Assistive Devices: Using crutches, walkers, or braces to reduce pressure on the knee.
• Electrotherapy: Techniques like TENS to relieve pain. 1&4
• Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to mobilize the joint and reduce stiffness. 6
• Kinesio Taping: Supporting joint stability and reducing strain during movement. 5

Additionally, these interventions are evidence-based physiotherapy treatments for knee OA. Therefore you need to see a physiotherapist when you have any knee pain.

Summary

In conclusion, Knee osteoarthritis can be painful and limiting, but with the proper physiotherapy and some lifestyle adjustments, you can manage your symptoms, stay independent, and enjoy life more.

If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of knee OA, consult a physiotherapist for a personalized treatment plan.

References

Barber, T., & Jahanbani, S. S. (2024). Physiotherapy and knee osteoarthritis. British Columbia Medical Journal, 66(5).

Duffaut, C. J., Goldman, J., & Miller, E. M. (2023). Clinical evaluation of the knee arthritis patient. Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 26(1), 100876.

Hsu H, Siwiec RM. Knee Osteoarthritis. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/

Knee Osteoarthritis. (2025, May 12). Physiopedia, . Retrieved 11:04, June 28, 2025 from https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Knee_Osteoarthritis&oldid=368807.

Mohamed, S. H. P., & Alatawi, S. F. (2023). Effectiveness of Kinesio taping and conventional physical therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. Irish journal of medical science, 192(5), 2223–2233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03247-9

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