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Knee osteoarthritis

Dedicated care for a worn, painful knee

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain, stiffness and loss of function. It may limit your travel plans or make it harder to exercise or even to sleep at night or walk. Melbourne Knee Centre offers tailored surgical and non-surgical treatment based on the severity of your arthritis, your lifestyle and the demands placed on your knee.
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What is knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which the smooth joint cartilage gradually wears down. As this happens, the surfaces of the joint become less efficient at gliding, and the knee can become painful, stiff, swollen or less reliable under load. Over time, osteoarthritis may also affect other parts of the knee, including the underlying bone and the lining of the joint.

Knee osteoarthritis is commonly described as “wear and tear”, though that explanation rarely captures the full picture. It’s influenced by age, previous injury, leg alignment, family history and the cumulative demands placed on the joint over time.

That’s why two patients with knee osteoarthritis might require quite different approaches.

ACL rupture

Common symptoms

Symptoms vary, but often include:
  • Knee pain with walking, stairs or prolonged standing
  • Stiffness, especially after rest
  • Swelling
  • Reduced movement
  • A sense that the knee is less stable or no longer coping with normal activity
  • Pain that begins to interrupt sleep in more advanced cases.
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Assessing knee osteoarthritis

Diagnosis usually begins with a consultation, examination and dedicated, weight bearing X-rays. MRI is not routinely necessary but may also be helpful if there is concern about other structures in the knee, such as the meniscus or ligaments.
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Non-surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Non-surgical pathways may help to reduce pain, improve movement and help the knee tolerate load.Non-surgical treatment may include:
  • physiotherapy to improve strength, movement and joint support
  • exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming or hydrotherapy
  • weight management, where relevant, to reduce load across the joint
  • activity or workplace modification
  • supportive footwear, walking aids or braces in selected cases
  • medication or targeted injections to ease pain or reduce inflammation.
For some patients, these treatments prove sufficient and surgery is not needed. In other cases, symptoms persist, prompting reevaluation.

Surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Surgery may be appropriate when osteoarthritis is more advanced, when symptoms are no longer adequately controlled, or when the knee is significantly limiting quality of life, function or the ability to stay active.

The right procedure depends on the pattern of arthritis, your age, alignment, activity level and broader goals.

Surgical options may include:

  • total knee replacement
  • partial knee replacement, where arthritis is limited to one part of the knee
  • osteotomy, which realigns the leg to unload the worn part of the joint (often more suited to younger patients)  
  • arthroscopy, in limited situations, where another mechanical problem within the knee is contributing,  as arthroscopy is not a routine treatment for arthritis alone.
artificial human knee joint model in medical office
Why us?

A tailored approach to treatment

At Melbourne Knee Centre, we do not push every patient with knee osteoarthritis towards the same answer.

Instead, we tailor treatment to your particular needs, taking into account the severity and location of the arthritis, the overall condition of your knee, and what you need that knee to do.

For some patients, the right approach is careful non-surgical management; for others, it is surgery.

Melbourne Knee Centre is exclusively focused on the knee, giving us considerable experience in supporting patients with knee osteoarthritis. As a multidisciplinary clinic, we offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments for this condition.

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