Knee Osteoarthritis: Active Physiotherapy Management, Pain Relief & Long-Term Knee Health
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of knee pain, stiffness, and reduced function. While it is often described as โwear and tear,โ modern evidence shows that active, structured management can significantly reduce pain, improve strength, and help people stay active for longer.
At Fit2Function Allied Health, we focus on evidence-based physiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis, helping you move with confidence, manage symptoms, and maintain long-term knee health โ without relying on passive treatments alone.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis involves changes to the joint surfaces, cartilage, and surrounding tissues of the knee. These changes can affect joint movement and load tolerance, leading to pain and stiffness.
Importantly, structural changes on scans do not always correlate with pain or function. Many people with knee OA can remain active and strong with the right rehabilitation approach.
Common Symptoms
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms may include:
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Knee pain during or after activity
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Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting
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Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the joint
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Reduced range of motion
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Difficulty with stairs, squatting, kneeling, or prolonged walking
Symptoms can fluctuate over time and are often influenced by activity levels, strength, and overall health.
Do I Need Imaging?
Knee osteoarthritis is often diagnosed clinically. Imaging is not always required.
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X-rays may show joint space narrowing or bony changes, but these findings do not predict pain severity
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MRI is rarely needed unless symptoms suggest another condition (e.g. locking, instability, or acute injury)
Physiotherapy management is guided by your symptoms, function, and goals โ not scan findings alone.
Active Management: What the Evidence Supports
Current research consistently shows that exercise and education are first-line treatments for knee osteoarthritis.
Our active physiotherapy approach includes:
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Individualised strengthening for the quadriceps, hips, and lower limb
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Progressive loading to improve joint tolerance
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Movement retraining to optimise walking, squatting, and daily tasks
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Education around pain, flare-ups, and pacing
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Weight-bearing and aerobic exercise as appropriate
Passive treatments alone are not effective long-term. Active rehabilitation is key to improving outcomes.
Managing Flare-Ups
Flare-ups are common with knee osteoarthritis and do not mean damage is worsening.
Physiotherapy helps you:
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Modify activity safely during flare-ups
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Maintain strength without aggravating symptoms
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Gradually return to normal activity levels
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Build confidence in managing symptoms independently
Understanding how to respond to flare-ups is critical for long-term success.
Can Physiotherapy Help Delay or Avoid Surgery?
For many people, structured physiotherapy can:
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Reduce pain and improve function
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Delay the need for knee replacement surgery
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Improve outcomes if surgery is required later
Physiotherapy is recommended before considering injections or surgery in most cases of knee OA.
Long-Term Knee Health
Effective osteoarthritis management focuses on what you can do, not what you should avoid.
Long-term strategies include:
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Ongoing strength and aerobic exercise
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Load management and activity pacing
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Addressing confidence and fear of movement
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Maintaining an active lifestyle
Staying active is one of the most powerful tools for managing knee osteoarthritis.
Book a Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment
If knee pain or stiffness is affecting your daily activities, work, or sport, our physiotherapists can assess your knee, develop a personalised management plan, and support your long-term knee health.
Learn More About Knee Injuries & Physiotherapy
Explore our other knee condition pages to understand evidence-based assessment, rehabilitation, and return-to-activity strategies: ACL Injuriesย | Meniscus & Cartilage Injuriesย | Patellofemoral Painย | MCL & LCL Injuriesย | Patellar Tendinopathy| Knee Osteoarthritis.
Our physiotherapists provide tailored programs to restore function, reduce pain, and support safe return to your activities.
