Complete guide
Knee Arthritis
Everything you need to know from the first niggle of pain through to knee replacement and beyond.
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects millions of people and is the single most common reason for long-term knee pain. It is not simply 'wear and tear' — it is an active process affecting cartilage, bone and the surrounding soft tissues.
This complete guide takes you step by step from your first symptoms through non-surgical treatment, injections and, where appropriate, knee replacement and long-term joint health.
Knee arthritis: the complete overview
Explore Knee Arthritis
Start anywhere. Every section is written by clinicians and kept up to date.
Article
Understanding Knee Arthritis
What happens inside the joint and why symptoms vary so much between people.
8 min readArticle
Symptoms & Diagnosis
How arthritis is diagnosed and which investigations are actually needed.
6 min readProgramme
Exercise & Physiotherapy
The core programme, how to progress it and how to manage flare-ups.
12 exercisesArticle
Weight & Lifestyle
Realistic changes that reduce joint load and improve symptoms.
5 min readArticle
Injections
Which injections help, how long they last and who benefits most.
7 min readGuide
Knee Replacement & Beyond
Preparing for surgery, the recovery timeline and life after replacement.
Complete guide
Frequently asked questions
When to seek help
Contact a healthcare professional if:
- Sudden severe swelling, redness and fever.
- Pain that is uncontrolled despite regular simple pain relief.
- Rapidly worsening deformity or instability of the knee.
- Symptoms that prevent you sleeping or walking short distances.