Knee OA

Question 1

What are the main pathological features of osteoarthritis in the knee?

Answer 1

• Joint space narrowing
• Osteophyte formation
• Sclerosis of the bone
• Meniscal and articular cartilage degeneration
• Exposure of subchondral bone
• Muscle weakness

Question 2

What problems will patients present with osteoarthritis?

Answer 2

• Pain on walking and weightbearing activities.
• Weakness and feelings on instability.
• Inability to continue with normal or previous activities.
• Stiffness in the morning and after rest signs on inflammation.

Question 3

What will be the findings on subjective assessment of an osteoarthritic knee?

Answer 3

• Insidious onset (gradually worsening though episodic)
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Giving way
• Hot knee
• Clicking.
• Functional limitations: like a reduced ability to walk, kneel, squat.
• Observed swelling or bigger knee
• Reduced AROM Reduced PROM
• Weakness in quads and hamstrings
• Joint line palpation pain.