Can physiotherapy help a worn knee?

What knee osteoarthritis feels like

Knee osteoarthritis is wear in the joint that builds up slowly over years. The knee can feel stiff in the morning, ache after standing, or grind when you bend it.

Many people find the first few steps the hardest, then things ease a little once they get moving. Going down stairs or getting out of a low chair often hurts the most.

This is common as we get older, and it does not mean the knee is beyond help. Movement, done the right way, is one of the most useful things for it.

What a physiotherapist works on

Physiotherapy for a worn knee starts with the muscles around it. Strong thigh and hip muscles take load off the joint, so the knee has less work to do.

Our physiotherapist checks how you walk, stand and climb, then builds a small set of exercises you can manage at home. The exercises start gentle and grow as the knee copes.

We also look at pacing, so you stay active through the day without a big flare afterward. The aim is a knee that lets you do more of what you need, with less pain.

Simple ways to protect the knee at home

Small changes at home often help a sore knee. A firmer, higher chair is easier to rise from than a soft low one.

Keeping gently active matters more than resting completely. Short, regular movement keeps the joint fed and the muscles awake.

A walking stick used on the right side can take strain off a bad knee on longer walks. Our physiotherapist can show the family how to set one up safely.

When to see a doctor first

Physiotherapy helps the day to day of a worn knee, but some signs need a doctor first. See one if the knee is hot, red and swollen, or if you feel unwell with it, as this can mean infection.

Also get it checked if the knee suddenly locks, gives way, or swells fast after a fall.

For severe joint damage, an orthopaedic doctor may discuss other options. We are glad to help you decide which step fits.