Knee Osteoarthritis
One of the most common forms of osteoarthritis causing swelling, pain and reduced mobility.
One in five Australians over the age of 45 suffers from osteoarthritis which is a broad term that describes degenerative (often age-related) joint changes. How these changes affect us depends on how we have used our bodies over time, previous injuries (even ones we may have forgotten), and our individual structure and biology. Joints like the knees tend to experience a lot of wear over a lifetime.
The breakdown of the knee joint over time causes pain, stiffness and swelling. It can be a slippery slope as ongoing knee pain leads to reduced physical activity, increased muscle weakness, increased joint instability, potential weight gain and reduced mobility. In addition, older people living with knee osteoarthritis have a greater risk of falls.
Your physio will develop a guided progressive exercise program tailored to your individual circumstances. We’ll help you understand basic biomechanics and load management (what things to avoid and what not to worry about), so that your clicky knee can be a background noise instead of a debilitating and painful condition!
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What you’re feeling
Pain that increases with activity, swelling, stiffness and cracking or clicking noises are all common symptoms.
Knee osteoarthritis can have a profound impact on your daily life: the ongoing pain and physical limitation affects the ability to engage in most social, community and occupational activities.
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What can cause it
The articular cartilage progressively breaks down causing changes in the underlying (subchondral) bone of the knee and joint inflammation. Essentially the entire knee joint degenerates and as the body tries to heal itself, this results in a structural remodelling of the knee and intermittent swelling.
It’s most common after the age of 45 and in individuals who are overweight or have had a previous injury, or who engage in activities which load the knee (kneeling or lifting).
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What you need to know
Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is irreversible, but there are treatment options that can reduce pain, the progression of the disease and significantly improve quality of life.
Importantly, knee osteoarthritis doesn’t necessarily mean constant knee pain. Many people with significant degenerative knee osteoarthritis have very little pain.
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How we help you
At Bondi Platinum Physio, we don’t dwell on what can’t be changed, rather we focus on improving your strength, your mobility and how your knees manage load during daily activity. We’ll develop a tailored program to keep you moving, reduce pain and support long term function so you can continue doing the things that matter to you.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Osteoarthritis, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 24 January 2026.
Arthritis Australia Website https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/osteoarthritis/, accessed 18 March 2026
We build bodies that don’t break.
We understand your body not just your injury. Expert physiotherapy focussed on lasting results. Healthier. Stronger. Happier.