Arthritis in knee treatment

Arthritis is the name for a group of conditions that cause inflammation and damage to the protective cartilage in your knee joint, causing knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. 
The most common types of knee arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis gets more common with age and occurs when the cartilage in your knee joint starts to wear down
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues
• Gout: This type of inflammatory arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in your joints, causing sudden, severe pain. It is most common in the big toe, but it can also affect your other joints, including your knee
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16
• Post-traumatic arthritis: This is a type of osteoarthritis that develops following an injury to a joint
• Reactive arthritis: This type of arthritis develops after an infection in another part of your body
• Infectious arthritis (septic arthritis): Is inflammation in the joint caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection
• Spondylarthritis: A progressive inflammatory disease that typically affects your spine, but can also affect other joints, including your knee

What are the risk factors for knee arthritis?

The risk factors for knee arthritis depend on the type of arthritis, but you may have an increased risk of developing knee arthritis if you: 

• Are over 50 years of age 
• Are female 
• Are overweight or obese 
• Have a family history of osteoarthritis or autoimmune disease
• Have a job or a hobby that puts stress on your knee joint 
• Have had a previous injury or surgery on your knee 
• Were born with an anatomical difference in your knee joint

If you do decide to undergo surgery, our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR.

If you have private health insurance, knee arthritis treatment may be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.

Some types of knee arthritis can’t be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on your knee joints and losing even a small amount of weight can significantly reduce this stress and reduce your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to help manage your weight and support your joint health
• Taking regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like fast walking) per week, combined with strength exercises on two or more days a week
• Protecting your joints from injury by wearing the appropriate equipment during sports and physical activities
• Choosing low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling or swimming over high-impact activities that put pressure on your knee joints
• Varying your exercise routine to reduce the risk of repetitive strain and overuse of your knee joints
• Strengthening the muscles around your knee to help support your knee joint and improve stability
• Avoiding long periods of inactivity and moving around regularly, especially if your work is sedentary, like a desk job
• Not smoking
• Drinking plenty of water

See a consultant for knee arthritis if:

• You have pain in your knee that is severe, constant, getting worse or occurs during rest or at night
• Your symptoms are preventing you from doing normal activities, impacting your daily life, affecting your sleep, or reducing your quality of life
• Your symptoms have not improved after two weeks of home treatment and over-the-counter medication
• You have difficulty bending or moving your knee
• Your knee appears swollen, looks different from your other knee, or you experience a grating, grinding or crackling sensation when you move it

There is currently no cure for arthritis in the knee. However, there are several effective treatments available that help manage your symptoms, reduce pain and improve movement in your knee joint.

Your consultant will recommend the best treatment for you depending on the type and severity of your knee arthritis, your age, general health, activity level and any treatments you have tried previously. 

Non-surgical treatments for knee arthritis

If your knee arthritis is mild, your consultant will recommend non-surgical treatments such as lifestyle changes, medication, and physiotherapy. 

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes for knee arthritis are often used in combination with other treatments such as medication and physiotherapy, and aim to help your symptoms by reducing stress on your knee joint. 

These include:

• Losing weight if you need to
• Avoiding or limiting activities that make your symptoms worse
• Switching from high-impact activities (like running, aerobics or tennis) to low-impact activities (like swimming, walking or cycling) to reduce pressure on your knee joint
• Stopping smoking

Medication

Medication can help relieve pain and inflammation in your knee joint. It is often used in combination with physiotherapy or an exercise programme to allow you to move your knee joint more comfortably.

Medication for knee arthritis may include:

• Over-the-counter pain medication, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or painkillers such as paracetamol
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation short term
• Arthrosamid® is a single injection into your knee that works by lubricating and cushioning your knee joint, helping to relieve knee pain and improving your mobility

Physiotherapy

Knee physiotherapy involves a range of treatments including specialised exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints, improve your mobility and range of motion and reduce pain. Knee physiotherapy may also include techniques such as acupuncture and electrotherapy. 

Assistive devices

Assistive devices like walking aids, knee braces and orthotic insoles can help with knee arthritis by supporting and stabilising your knee joint and reducing pain by relieving pressure on your knee. 

Surgical treatments for knee arthritis

If your knee arthritis is more advanced, or non-surgical treatments haven't worked to improve your symptoms, your consultant may recommend knee surgery. This might be keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) or it might be partial or total knee replacement.

Your consultant will recommend the best type of surgery for you depending on the severity of your knee arthritis. 

Before you start your treatment, you’ll have a consultation with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the bones, joints and soft tissues like the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

At this appointment, your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, medical history and general health. They will examine your knee to check for signs and symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling and difficulty moving your knee joint. 

Your consultant may ask to see the results of any tests or scans you have had previously, or they may arrange them on the day. 

These may include a blood test, X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound.

During your appointment, your consultant will spend time getting to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

It may help to write down any questions you have before your appointment, so you don’t forget them. You may want to ask about: 

• The type of arthritis you have and how severe it is 
• What could have caused it
• Is it likely to get worse over time
• Any lifestyle changes you can make to improve your symptoms
• Any activities to limit or avoid
• Possible treatment options
• How long before your symptoms are likely to improve
• If surgery is recommended, the type of surgery, which anaesthetic will be used, any potential risks and complications and the expected recovery time

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of your knee arthritis treatment and answer any questions you may have so that you can make an informed decision.

You can help minimise the risks by following your consultant’s instructions carefully during your treatment.

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you 
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suits your needs 
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs 
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary team
• Private ensuite rooms as standard 
• A range of delicious, healthy meals 
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included 
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about arthritis in knee treatment, book your appointment online or call a member of our team today. 

1. Arthritis of the Knee, OrthoInfo
2. Knee Arthritis, Johns Hopkins  
3. Knee Arthritis, HSS