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What is knee osteoarthritis?
It is a common condition that affects the whole knee joint, meaning the cartilage, bone, ligaments and surrounding muscles, and it changes slowly over time. It is not just “bone on bone” or irreversible wear, as many people fear: the joint can keep adapting, and X-rays do not always match how bad the pain is. Symptoms vary from person to person and from day to day.
Common signs
- Knee pain that often increases with activity, such as long walks or climbing stairs, and eases with rest
- Short stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long
- Clicking or a grating feeling when the knee moves
- Sometimes swelling and difficulty bending or fully straightening the knee
- Symptoms that vary from day to day with activity, rest, and even sleep and tiredness
What usually helps?
- Understanding and education: knowing what the condition is reduces fear of movement, and regular movement is usually better for the joint than long rest
- Strengthening exercise, especially for the thigh, hip and calf muscles, with knee mobility work and light aerobic exercise such as walking or stationary cycling
- Weight management when weight is higher, because losing weight reduces the load on the knee and helps ease pain
- Activity pacing: spreading effort across the day, alternating activities, and building up gradually instead of sudden load or complete rest
- Walking aids and footwear: a stick or suitable comfortable shoes may reduce the load on the knee when needed
Injections and surgery
Injections, medication and surgery, including joint replacement, are decisions for your doctor, and are usually considered when the first-line measures are not enough or when pain is severe and greatly affects your life. We do not advise on medication. An exercise programme remains useful before and after any such procedure.
How we treat the knee at Revibe
- We listen: when the pain started, which activities, stairs, walking and sleep are affected, and what you want to get back to
- We examine movement of the knee, hip and foot, muscle strength, and how you walk and stand
- We identify what keeps the pain going, such as weak muscles or sudden load
- We treat: manual therapy and release of muscle knots around the knee and thigh, always alongside exercise, which is the core of treatment
- We progress with a graded home exercise programme and help you pace your daily activity
When do you need urgent medical care?
- Knee or leg pain with chest pain or sudden shortness of breath — call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever or feeling unwell
- Visible deformity, or being unable to put weight on the leg after a fall or injury
- Swelling, pain and warmth in the leg, especially in the calf, or severe constant night pain
- Unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer with new severe pain
In these cases go to the nearest emergency department or a doctor straight away — instead of booking physiotherapy.
FAQ
Does knee osteoarthritis mean my bones are rubbing together?
No, that is a common but inaccurate picture. The whole joint is affected and adapts, and pain can be significant with a mild scan, or the other way round.
Should I stop walking if my knee hurts?
Complete rest is not usually recommended. We work out an amount of activity that suits your knee and increase it gradually; mild discomfort that settles after activity is acceptable.
Do I need an injection or surgery?
That is the doctor’s decision, and in many cases it may not be needed. We refer you to a doctor if we think your condition needs it.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition and its stage; after the first assessment we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions.
More common questions: Knee pain questions — 36 questions
Ready to start?
Book your first session at Revibe Clinic in Amman (it starts with an assessment), or message us on WhatsApp.
Related pages
Source: NICE CKS — Osteoarthritis · NICE NG226 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (2022)
Reviewed by Ahmed AlKhatib, licensed physiotherapist — 23 October 2026
This information is general education and does not replace a clinical assessment.