Knee OA

• Osteoarthritis:

  • Diagnosis can be made without imaging:
  • Age more than 45 and
  • Activity related joint pain and
  • No early morning stiffness (EMS) or EMS less than 30 minutes
  • If patient has history of trauma, prolonged EMS, rapid worsening of symptoms or a hot swollen joint → consider other causes
• Osteoarthritis - Common objective findings:

  • Tibiofemoral joint line tenderness (plus painful patella compression if affects both joints)
  • Pain on passive ROM as well as active and weightbearing movements
  • If moderate/advanced OA may have visible joint deformity
• Osteoarthritis - In practice:

  • Advice and education
  • Exercise
  • Considering onward referrals if needed:
  • Orthopaedics
  • Dietician
  • Foot health
  • OT