What are knee and hip osteoarthritis?
Gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the knee and coxarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the hip. In both, the cartilage covering the joint surfaces gradually thins, the bone underneath changes, and the joint becomes stiffer and more painful. People often call it “wear and tear”.
Osteoarthritis is not simply a result of getting older. Excess body weight, previous knee or hip injuries, weak muscles, family history and the shape of the joint all play a part. Physiotherapy for knee and hip osteoarthritis is one of the core recommended treatments, because movement and muscle strength have a direct effect on pain and function.
Common symptoms
- Pain when walking, on stairs or when getting up from a chair.
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting, which usually eases within a few minutes.
- Creaking or a grinding feeling in the joint.
- Knee swelling after activity.
- With hip osteoarthritis, pain in the groin or thigh that can travel down to the knee, and difficulty putting on socks or shoes.
- Limping, and a shorter distance you can walk comfortably.
What an X-ray shows does not always match the pain. Some people with marked changes have few symptoms, while others have pain with only mild changes.
How we treat osteoarthritis at PhysioLife
1. Assessment. Your physiotherapist checks the joint’s range of movement, the strength of your thigh and hip muscles, and how you walk and manage stairs. Together we set concrete goals, such as walking further or climbing stairs with less pain.
2. Exercise at the heart of treatment. With graded exercise therapy we strengthen the quadriceps, hip and trunk muscles and improve mobility and balance. Stronger muscles help the joint cope with load.
3. Supporting techniques. Manual therapy can help with stiffness and pain. Where suitable, we may add Tecar therapy, TENS or magnetotherapy as a supporting tool.
4. Advice and home programme. We talk about weight management, footwear, using a walking stick when helpful and how to pace your activity. You leave with a home exercise programme.
What to expect
Exercise may cause mild discomfort that settles within a day; this usually does not mean the joint is being damaged. Many patients notice less pain and feel steadier on their feet after a few weeks of regular exercise. Osteoarthritis does not go away, but with a good programme many people manage it well and stay active. If you have had a knee or hip replacement, see our page on post-surgical rehabilitation.
Contraindications for supporting techniques: Tecar and magnetotherapy are not used if you have a pacemaker, during pregnancy, or over areas with a tumour, acute infection or thrombosis.
When to see a doctor
- The joint suddenly becomes hot, red and swollen, especially with a fever.
- You cannot put any weight on the leg after a fall.
- Your calf becomes swollen, warm and painful.
- You have severe pain at night that is unrelated to movement.
An orthopaedic doctor can also advise whether injections or surgery are worth considering if conservative treatment is not enough.
Frequently asked questions about knee and hip osteoarthritis
Should I avoid walking if I have osteoarthritis?
No. Walking and well-paced activity are good for the joint. Your physiotherapist will help you find the right amount so that you do not flare up your pain.
Can physiotherapy help me avoid a joint replacement?
For many people physiotherapy reduces pain and improves function enough that surgery is not needed or can be put off. The decision about a replacement is made by your orthopaedic surgeon together with you.
Does losing weight help?
Yes. With knee osteoarthritis in particular, losing excess weight usually reduces the load on the joint and the pain. Exercise and a sensible diet work best together.
How often should I do my exercises?
Usually several times a week, regularly and over the long term. The programme is adjusted to your pain and your goals.
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This page is general information and does not replace a medical examination.