What is knee osteoarthritis?

Your knee accompanies you every day: when walking, climbing stairs, doing sport, working or simply getting up from the sofa. We often only realise how important a pain-free knee joint is when movements suddenly become uncomfortable or pain starts to dominate everyday life.

Gonarthrosis is one of the most common joint conditions of all. It usually develops gradually over years and can considerably affect quality of life. The good news: even though osteoarthritis cannot be cured completely, there is a great deal you can do yourself to reduce pain, stay mobile and relieve your knee in the long term.

The knee is a fascinating joint. As a combined hinge and pivot joint, it enables:

• bending
• straightening
• rotating
• stabilising

At the same time, it has to absorb enormous forces every day.

In knee osteoarthritis, the protective joint cartilage progressively breaks down. In addition, the bone underneath changes. The result: the joint increasingly loses its natural gliding and shock-absorbing function.

This process is often slow, but continuous.

RISK FACTORS FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Several factors can encourage the development of osteoarthritis:

• genetic predisposition
• being overweight
• years of incorrect loading or overload
• advanced age
• knock knees or bow legs
• previous injuries such as:
• meniscus tears
• cruciate ligament injuries
• bone fractures around the knee

Previous sports injuries in particular can change the load distribution in the knee in the long term.

TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

The symptoms usually develop gradually.

Typical signs:

• start-up pain after periods of rest
• pain when climbing stairs
• discomfort over longer walking distances
• a feeling of stiffness in the knee
• swelling
• grinding or crunching noises
• sensitivity to the weather

Many people affected report:

"At first it was only in the morning."

Later, even everyday movements can become exhausting.

WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF?

Even small changes can help your knee enormously.

Weight management

Every additional kilogram increases the load on your knee many times over.

Even a moderate weight loss can:

• reduce pain
• lower the load
• improve your mobility
  

Joint-friendly exercise

Exercise remains one of the most important factors in osteoarthritis.

Particularly suitable:

• swimming
• cycling
• walking
• aqua fitness

Important:

Complete rest usually makes the situation worse in the long run.

Heat and relaxation

Heat applications can:

• relax the muscles
• relieve pain
• improve mobility

For example:

• heat patches
• warm baths
• heat pads
  

Aids for everyday life

Sometimes small adjustments help:

• suitable footwear
• walking aids if needed
• conscious stair climbing

Practical tip:

• Going up the stairs → healthy leg first
• Going down the stairs → affected leg first
  

HOW KINEO CAN HELP YOU WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Targeted physiotherapy treatment is one of the most effective conservative forms of therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Our goal:

Not only to reduce pain, but to give you more confidence, mobility and quality of life again.

1. Pain relief and reducing inflammation

At the start of therapy, the focus is usually on relieving the irritated joint.

Among other things, we work with:

• manual therapy
• soft tissue treatment
• heat or cold applications

This can help to:

• reduce pain
• release tension
• make movements easier
  

2. Improving mobility

A stiff knee often affects the entire musculoskeletal system.

That is why we focus on:

• targeted stretching
• mobilisation techniques
• functional movement exercises

The aim is:

That you can move more freely and more confidently again.

3. Muscle strengthening and stabilisation

Well-trained muscles act like a natural shock absorber.

Particularly important:

• thigh muscles
• gluteal muscles
• core stability

Our therapy includes:

• individual strength training
• leg alignment training
• functional exercises
• proprioceptive training

This way, we improve:

• stability
• resilience
• joint control
  

4. Gait training and optimising everyday life

Because of pain, many people unconsciously develop avoidance movements.

In the long term, these can:

• overload other joints
• make symptoms worse
• promote unsteadiness when walking

That is why we analyse:

• your gait
• your movement patterns
• your load distribution

Together, we work out solutions for your everyday life.

PHYSIOTHERAPY BEFORE AND AFTER A KNEE REPLACEMENT

Sometimes conservative therapy is no longer enough and a knee replacement becomes necessary.

Here too, physiotherapy plays a decisive role.

Before the operation (preoperative phase)

Good preparation clearly improves rehabilitation.

Important goals:

• building muscle
• improving mobility
• gait training with walking aids
• mental preparation for the operation

The better your physical starting condition, the easier the later rehabilitation often is.

After the operation (postoperative phase)

Early phase (weeks 1–2)

• reduce swelling
• relieve pain
• improve mobility
• first steps with walking aids
• muscle activation
  

Middle phase (weeks 3–6)

• progressive strength training
• improving knee bending
• balance training
• gradually weaning off walking aids
  

Late phase (from week 7)

• functional everyday training
• intensive leg alignment training
• optimising the gait pattern
• return to sporting activities
  

WHY REGULAR EXERCISES ARE SO IMPORTANT

The most important factor in osteoarthritis is consistency.

Many symptoms develop over years, so improvement also takes time.

What matters is:

• regular therapy
• consistent home training
• long-term exercise

A well-trained musculature protects your knee like a natural shock absorber.

CONCLUSION

Knee osteoarthritis does not automatically mean the end of activity or quality of life.

With the right treatment concept, you can:

• reduce pain
• stay mobile
• make your everyday life more active
• continue to do sport and hobbies

Our goal at KINEO:

That you can move safely, resiliently and freely again, with or without a knee replacement.

Together, we develop an individual plan that fits your everyday life, your goals and your knee.

FAQ: Knee osteoarthritis

1. Can knee osteoarthritis reverse?

Worn cartilage usually does not regenerate completely. However, symptoms and the progression of osteoarthritis can be clearly improved and slowed down.

2. Is exercise worthwhile with osteoarthritis?

Yes, exercise is extremely important. What matters is the right load and joint-friendly training.

3. Which sports are suitable with knee osteoarthritis?

Particularly suitable are:

• swimming
• cycling
• walking
• strength training under guidance

4. When do I need a knee replacement?

A replacement usually only becomes necessary when conservative measures no longer bring enough improvement and everyday life or sleep is severely limited.

5. Can physiotherapy prevent an operation?

In many cases, yes. Through targeted training, pain reduction and better joint function, an operation can often be postponed or avoided.

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