The main symptom of knee arthritis is pain. Importantly, the pain tends to be worse at the beginning of the day, worse following exercise and can wake patients up at night. Stiffness is also a common symptom and can be worse following prolonged sitting. When knee arthritis becomes more severe than patients often describe a reduction in the range of movement of the knee, with an inability to fully straighten the knee being the commonest finding.

Knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed on the basis of X rays. Rarely, if there is some confusion regarding the diagnosis, an MRI may be needed, however, this is unusual.

In the first instance, physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee are very important. This can be helped with injections into the knee to control the pain in the short term. When these measures fail to help, bracing can be useful. There is some evidence for realignment surgery around the knee although this must be approached with caution as results can be unreliable. In those with established arthritis and symptoms not controlled by non-operative measures, then joint replacement is an excellent option. We always encourage partial joint replacement where possible, although total knee replacement is also an excellent option.

The vast majority of our patients go home on the same day following a partial knee replacement or the next day following total knee replacement.

Over 80% of knee replacements (whether partial or total) are still in place and functioning well at 20 years post operation.