Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Joondalup: Managing Pain and Improving Movement
Chiropractic care combining manual therapy, guided exercise and cold laser can help you manage knee osteoarthritis and stay active in Perth’s northern suburbs.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons people across Joondalup, Currambine and Wanneroo come in to see us about knee pain, particularly as they get older.
It develops gradually as the cartilage cushioning the joint wears down, and it can make everyday things like walking, climbing stairs or getting up from a chair feel a lot harder than they used to. Our approach focuses on helping you manage symptoms and stay mobile, rather than simply masking the pain.
The knee is a weight bearing joint, and over years of use the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the thigh bone and shin bone can gradually thin and roughen.
As this happens, the space within the joint narrows, the underlying bone can thicken, and small bony growths called osteophytes may form around the joint margins. It’s a slow, mechanical process rather than a purely inflammatory disease, although the joint can still become inflamed and painful during flare ups. Age is the biggest factor, but body weight, previous knee injuries and how your joints are aligned all influence how quickly it develops.
Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis
- Pain that’s worse with activity and eases with rest, particularly in the earlier stages
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while
- A grinding, clicking or catching sensation in the joint
- Swelling around the knee, particularly after a long day on your feet
- Reduced range of motion, making it harder to fully bend or straighten the knee
- A sense that the knee is giving way or feels unstable
What Causes Knee Osteoarthritis?
- Age-related wear and tear on the joint cartilage
- Previous knee injuries, including ligament tears or fractures
- Carrying extra body weight, which increases the load moving through the joint
- Years of repetitive kneeling, squatting or heavy lifting
- Weakness in the muscles around the hip and knee, which changes how load is distributed through the joint
- A family history of osteoarthritis
What the Research Shows
Exercise Is One of the Most Consistently Supported Treatments
A Cochrane review of exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis, led by Fransen et al. (2015) found that structured exercise reliably improves pain and physical function compared with not exercising, with benefits that hold up across a wide range of programs and patient ages.
Adding Manual Therapy to Exercise Can Improve Outcomes Further
A randomised controlled trial by Deyle et al. (2000) compared a program of manual therapy, applied to the knee as well as the hip, ankle and lower back, combined with a home exercise program against a placebo intervention. The treatment group showed significantly greater improvements in pain and walking distance, supporting a combined, hands on and exercise based approach rather than exercise alone.
How We Can Help
Treatment for knee osteoarthritis works best when it addresses both the joint itself and the muscles and mechanics around it.
Depending on your assessment, this might include:
A low-load option that can be used to help manage pain and inflammation around the joint, particularly during flare ups or alongside your exercise program.
Read more about cold laser at our new website Cold Laser Perth .
Keep Moving With a Plan Built Around Your Knee
If knee osteoarthritis is slowing you down, our team at Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup can assess your knee and put together a plan to help you keep moving.
Call us on 9300 0095 to book an appointment.
References
- Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer AR, Van der Esch M, Simic M, Bennell KL. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015. PMID 25569281
- Deyle GD, Henderson NE, Matekel RL, Ryder MG, Garber MB, Allison SC. Effectiveness of manual physical therapy and exercise in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000;132(3):173-181. PMID 10651597
Disclaimer: This page is intended as general information only and does not replace individual assessment and advice from a qualified health professional. If you're dealing with knee pain or suspect you have knee osteoarthritis, book an appointment with our team so we can assess your specific situation and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Location Details
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
