Knee Osteoarthritis: How Physiotherapy Can Help You Stay Active
- Andrew Dao
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
If you’ve noticed more stiffness or aches in your knees lately, especially during or after your workouts, you’re not alone. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition, particularly for those over 50, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up the activities you love.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is often described as “wear and tear” of the joint, but it’s more about changes in the cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. A diagnosis of OA is usually made based on:
Persistent knee pain
Morning stiffness that eases within 30 minutes
Changes in movement, such as reduced flexibility or clicking
Symptoms lasting for several months or more
Why X-rays Don’t Tell the Whole Story
It’s common for people to have X-ray changes showing “arthritis” but no pain at all and the opposite is also true. Imaging can sometimes make the problem look worse than it actually is, which is why a thorough physical assessment is so important.
How Physiotherapy Can Help You Avoid Surgery
Physiotherapy focuses on keeping you active, mobile, and strong often by helping you manage OA without the need for surgery. Here’s how:
Exercise Modifications – We can tweak your current gym routine to remove or change exercises that might be aggravating your knees, so you can keep training without flaring things up.
Targeted Strengthening – Weakness or instability in your leg muscles can put more strain on your knees. We’ll prescribe exercises that strengthen key muscle groups, improve stability, and support your joints.
Manual Therapy – Hands-on techniques can improve mobility in stiff joints, ease tension in tight muscles, and reduce pain so you can move more freely.
Bottom line: Knee OA doesn’t have to slow you down. With the right advice and treatment plan, many people manage their symptoms effectively and keep doing what they love without going under the knife.
If your knees are holding you back, book an appointment with ABD Physiotherapy and let’s get you moving again, safely and confidently.
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