Knee Arthritis: Can Physiotherapy Help You Avoid Surgery?
Your knees creak when you stand up from a chair. Climbing the stairs at church or at the office takes longer than it used to. In the morning your knees feel stiff until you've moved around for a while. Then a doctor looks at your X-ray and says, "Your knee is worn out."
That sentence scares many people. But it doesn't mean your knee is finished.
What knee arthritis really is
Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a change in the cushion and bone inside the joint that comes with age, past injuries or extra body weight. It's very common after 45. And here's the surprising part: how your X-ray looks doesn't always match how much pain you feel. Many people with "bad" X-rays walk comfortably.
Common signs
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting that eases with movement
- Pain on stairs, squatting or getting out of a low car
- Creaking or grinding sounds
- Swelling after a busy day on your feet
Why exercise is the main treatment
Strong thigh and hip muscles act like shock absorbers for the knee. When they get weak, the joint takes more load and hurts more. That's why international guidelines put exercise and education first, before injections or surgery. Moving does not "wear out" the knee faster. Done right, it eases pain.
How we help at Katasi Physiotherapy
We check how your knee, hip and foot move together. Then we use hands-on treatment to ease stiffness and give you a simple strength plan you can do at home, progressed each visit. We also guide you on walking, stairs, shoes and staying active so you can keep doing what you enjoy. If your kneecap area hurts on stairs and you're younger, read Knee Pain on Stairs and Squats?
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor if your knee is hot, red and very swollen, you have a fever, or you suddenly can't put weight on it.
Book in Westlands
Painful knees don't have to mean the end of walking, church stairs or playing with the grandchildren. Visit Katasi Physiotherapy at Kerai Office, Mogotio Road off Muthithi Road, Westlands. Call or WhatsApp 0705 717 353 to book.