Common problem can limit movement, but early diagnosis and current treatments keep life active
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common orthopedic conditions and a leading cause of pain and disability in people over 50 years of age. But it is not exclusive to the elderly population: it can affect younger adults, especially those who have suffered sports injuries, repetitive trauma or are overweight. The disease occurs when the cartilage that covers the bone ends begins to wear away, making movement painful, stiff and limited.
Cartilage is a smooth, painless surface that covers the bones in joints, a natural protector that protects structures that are less tolerant to impact. In its absence, the energy of movement begins to be transmitted to the bone, which is extremely painful, generating inflammation and progressive loss of mobility. In , it is estimated that more than 15 million people live with osteoarthritis in some joint, with the knee being the most frequently affected area.
From diagnosis to lifestyle change
Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, it is common for the pain to appear after physical exertion, such as long walks or climbing stairs, disappearing with rest. With progression, inflammatory cycles tend to shorten, so that pain appears with increasingly less effort and, in cases
more advanced, even at rest.
Swelling, locking, clicking and even visible deformities in the joint are other signs that may appear. This difference is crucial, because the earlier osteoarthritis is identified, the greater the chances of adopting strategies that slow its progression. The diagnosis is made through clinical evaluation, imaging tests such as x-rays and, in some cases, magnetic resonance imaging to assess the degree of cartilage involvement.
Osteoarthritis treatment involves lifestyle changes. Systematic physical exercise, with specific and targeted strategies, combined with weight control and body composition, tends to be one of the most impactful initial measures. In this scenario, already in a therapeutic environment, physiotherapy focuses on improving muscle strength — especially in the thigh and hip, knee stabilizers —, in addition to stretching that preserves range of movement. Controlling body weight is worth highlighting: studies show that each extra kilo overloads the knee joint by up to four times during simple activities, such as climbing a step. In other words, losing 5 kg can reduce the load on the joint by up to 20 kg.
The future of orthopedics in the treatment of osteoarthritis
In recent years, orthopedics has advanced in options that go beyond traditional medicines. Injections with hyaluronic acid, known as viscosupplementation, help lubricate the joint and reduce pain, providing relief for months. Another resource being studied is infiltrations with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which use components from the patient’s own blood to stimulate tissue repair. Research is also investigating the use of mesenchymal stem cells, which have the potential to regenerate cartilage, although this is still an experimental field.
In exceptionally severe cases, when wear is extensive and significantly compromises quality of life, knee replacement surgery is the ideal solution. In Brazil, more than 70,000 joint replacement surgeries are performed per year, with high success rates. The prosthesis restores mobility, relieves pain and allows the patient to resume activities that were previously impossible. Despite this, it should be used in exceptional cases, when all conservative measures fail, in well-selected patients.
More than simply treating, the great challenge facing medicine today is preserving quality of life in the long term. This involves directing the patient towards healthier habits, regular physical activity, controlling body weight and, at the same time, investing in therapies capable of slowing the progression of joint wear.
Knee osteoarthritis should not be seen as a sentence of disability. With early diagnosis, well-applied preventive strategies and access to new treatment technologies, it is possible to live with the disease actively and maintain functional autonomy for many years. It is always possible to improve.
Dr. Pedro Debieux Vargas Silva – CRM/SP 121.778 | EQR 73,908
Orthopedist
Fellow focusing on knee arthroplasty at Claude Bernard University, Lyon, FR (2011).
Membro da Brazil Health
