Knee Arthritis

The knee is one of the hardest-working joints in the body.

Every step, every stair, every squat, every golf swing, and every bike ride depends on a healthy knee joint functioning properly.

The knee is formed where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia). The kneecap (patella) sits in front of the joint and glides smoothly as the knee bends and straightens.

The ends of the bones are covered with a smooth layer of cartilage that allows movement to occur with very little friction.

In a healthy knee, this cartilage acts like a shock absorber and creates a nearly frictionless surface.

Most people never think about their cartilage because it works so well.

Unfortunately, when arthritis develops and cartilage begins to wear away, the joint becomes rough and inflamed. The surfaces no longer glide smoothly. Bone spurs may develop, swelling can occur, and movement often becomes painful.

Patients frequently describe the sensation as grinding, crunching, popping, or feeling like the knee is “bone-on-bone.”

And yes, while “bone-on-bone” is sometimes an overused phrase, it is often exactly what has happened in advanced arthritis.

There is no single cause of knee arthritis.

In most cases, arthritis develops gradually over many years due to a combination of factors.

The most common type is osteoarthritis, often referred to as “wear-and-tear arthritis.”

Despite the nickname, arthritis is not simply the result of being active. If activity alone caused arthritis, every cyclist, runner, golfer, and recreational athlete would need a knee replacement.

Instead, arthritis develops through a combination of genetics, age-related changes, joint mechanics, and previous injuries.

Common risk factors include:

Age

The risk of knee arthritis increases as we get older, although it can certainly occur in younger adults.

Family History

Some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing arthritis.

Previous Injuries

Prior ACL tears, meniscus injuries, fractures, and other knee trauma can increase the likelihood of arthritis later in life.

Excess Body Weight

The knee absorbs tremendous forces during walking and climbing stairs. Additional weight increases stress across the joint and may accelerate cartilage wear.

Joint Alignment

Some patients naturally have bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment, which can place uneven pressure on portions of the knee over time.

Inflammatory Conditions

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can damage cartilage and lead to joint deterioration.

Many patients feel frustrated when they learn they have arthritis because they have spent their lives staying active and taking care of themselves.

Dr. Tauchen often reminds patients that arthritis is rarely the result of one bad decision. More often, it is the result of decades of normal life, genetics, and factors outside of anyone’s control.

Knee arthritis often develops gradually, and symptoms tend to worsen over time.

Common symptoms include:

Knee Pain

Pain is the most common complaint. It may occur with walking, standing, exercising, or even simple daily activities.

Stiffness

Many patients notice stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting for extended periods.

Swelling

The knee may feel puffy, tight, or swollen after activity.

Difficulty Climbing Stairs

Stairs are often one of the first activities to become noticeably painful.

Clicking, Popping, or Grinding

Many patients hear or feel grinding sensations within the joint as cartilage wears away.

Loss of Motion

The knee may no longer fully straighten or bend as easily as it once did.

Knee Instability

Some patients describe the feeling that the knee may “give out” or cannot be trusted.

Reduced Activity Levels

This may be the most important symptom of all.

One of Dr. Tauchen’s favorite questions is:

“What are you missing out on because of your knee?”

The answer often reveals far more than an X-ray.

For some patients, it is golf. For others, it is biking, hiking, pickleball, traveling, or simply keeping up with grandchildren.

Knee arthritis rarely announces itself overnight. More often, it slowly chips away at the activities people enjoy until they realize their world has become smaller.

Diagnosing knee arthritis typically begins with a conversation and physical examination.

Dr. Tauchen spends time learning about a patient’s symptoms, activity level, goals, and how knee pain is affecting everyday life.

During the examination, he evaluates knee motion, strength, stability, walking mechanics, and areas of tenderness.

X-rays are usually the most important imaging study for diagnosing knee arthritis. They allow Dr. Tauchen to assess joint space, identify bone spurs, evaluate alignment, and determine the severity of arthritis.

In some situations, additional imaging such as an MRI may be helpful, particularly if another condition is suspected.

Fortunately, diagnosing knee arthritis is usually straightforward.

The more important question is often how much that arthritis is impacting quality of life.

Some patients have severe arthritis on X-rays and remain surprisingly functional. Others have less dramatic imaging findings but significant symptoms that affect everyday activities.

That is why Dr. Tauchen focuses on treating patients rather than treating X-rays.

Every patient has different goals, different lifestyles, and different expectations.

Whether treatment involves exercise, weight loss, medications, injections, partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or simply monitoring symptoms, the goal remains the same: helping patients move better, stay active, and get back to doing the things they enjoy most.