Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative joint disease that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, but it can also occur in younger people due to factors such as obesity, sports injuries, or excessive joint use. Its main features are cartilage degeneration, osteophyte formation, and joint function limitation, which may eventually lead to decreased quality of life. This article will detail the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis to help patients detect the condition early and take effective interventions.

Detailed Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

1. Knee pain

Pain is the most common symptom of knee osteoarthritis, usually chronic, progressive, and gradually worsening as the disease develops.

① Worsens with activity, relieved by rest: In the early stage, patients may only feel pain after prolonged walking, climbing stairs, or standing, which eases after rest.

② Resting pain in advanced stages: With worsening cartilage wear, pain may persist during rest or at night, affecting sleep.

③ Pain aggravated by cold and damp weather: Climate changes may alter the viscosity of synovial fluid, increasing pain.

④ Tenderness: When doctors press the knee joint, patients may feel localized tenderness, especially around the patella or joint space.

2. Joint stiffness

Knee stiffness often occurs in the morning or after long periods of inactivity, known as morning stiffness.

① Early stiffness lasts a few minutes to half an hour and eases after activity.

② In later stages, stiffness may last all day, limiting movement and affecting daily life.

③ Long-term stiffness may cause muscle atrophy and functional decline.

3. Limited joint mobility

Knee osteoarthritis leads to reduced joint mobility, affecting daily functions such as climbing stairs, squatting, or walking.

① Difficulty bending and straightening: Patients may be unable to fully extend or bend the knee, and in severe cases may not be able to walk.

② Joint locking or clicking: Some patients feel a “clicking” sound or locking sensation in the knee during activity, suggesting cartilage damage or osteophyte formation.

4. Joint swelling and effusion

Knee osteoarthritis is often accompanied by inflammation, leading to swelling.

① Mild swelling: In the early stage, mild swelling may appear after activity and ease with rest.

② Obvious swelling and effusion: In advanced stages, synovial inflammation or increased synovial fluid causes persistent swelling, and the knee may visibly enlarge.

③ Fluctuation on palpation: Suggests increased intra-articular fluid.

5. Joint deformity

As the disease progresses, joint structure gradually deteriorates, possibly leading to varus deformity (bow-legged) or valgus deformity (knock-kneed). Deformities may cause abnormal gait and increase the risk of falls and fractures.

① Varus deformity (bow-legged): The knee bends inward, mainly seen in patients with medial cartilage damage.

② Valgus deformity (knock-kneed): The knee bends outward, more common in lateral cartilage degeneration.

6. Functional impairment

Knee osteoarthritis may cause varying degrees of mobility limitation, affecting quality of life.

① Abnormal gait: Due to pain and deformity, patients may walk with a limp or unstable gait.

② Difficulty climbing stairs: Increased load on the knee makes it hard for patients to lift their legs or support their weight.

③ Fatigue after prolonged standing or walking: Some patients cannot stand or walk for long periods due to muscle weakness or joint instability.

7. Other accompanying symptoms

① Joint friction sensation: Some patients may feel friction or bone-on-bone sounds when bending or straightening the knee, suggesting severe cartilage wear.

② Night pain: Advanced patients may feel pain at night due to persistent inflammation, affecting sleep quality.

③ Knee weakness: Muscle atrophy or joint instability may cause sudden falls or inability to bear weight.

Conclusion

The main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, limited mobility, joint swelling, deformity, and functional impairment. These symptoms usually develop gradually. In the early stage, only mild discomfort may appear after activity, but as the disease progresses, it may affect daily life and even cause disability. Experts at United Life International Medical Center state that early detection and appropriate treatment can help slow disease progression and improve patients’ quality of life.