Physiotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — Antalya Muratpaşa

Typical symptoms

• Knee pain that increases with walking, using stairs or standing for a long time
• Short-lived stiffness when getting up in the morning or after sitting for a while
• Creaking or a grinding feeling in the knee
• Swelling from time to time
• Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
• Struggling to get up from a chair or to squat

Causes and risk factors

Osteoarthritis isn't simply age-related "wear and tear"; it's a process that affects the whole joint, with several factors playing a part. What an X-ray shows doesn't always match the pain you feel: a knee that looks advanced may hurt very little, while one that looks mild may hurt a lot. Modifiable factors like muscle strength, weight and activity level play an important role in symptoms. That's good news: we can't change your age or your X-ray, but we can work on these factors together.

• Increasing age
• Excess weight
• Previous knee injuries and meniscus surgery
• Weakness in the thigh muscles
• A family history of osteoarthritis and differences in leg alignment

How I work with knee osteoarthritis

It isn't possible to restore the cartilage to how it was; but reducing pain, strengthening the knee and helping you keep doing the things you enjoy is very often possible.

1. 1

   Assessment

   I assess your knee's range of movement, swelling, muscle strength, walking, and everyday tasks such as getting up from a chair and managing stairs. We set goals that matter to you together — for example, how far you want to walk, or being able to play with your grandchildren.

2. 2

   Manual therapy

   Joint mobilisation and soft tissue techniques around the knee and hip can help reduce stiffness and make it easier to start exercising. For a lasting effect, I combine them with exercise.

3. 3

   Exercise therapy

   We follow a programme that strengthens your thigh, hip and calf muscles, maintains range of movement and improves balance. It starts at a level that doesn't strain the joint and builds up gradually; we plan your return to activities such as walking, cycling or exercising in water.

4. 4

   Education

   We talk about what osteoarthritis is, why moving doesn't wear the joint out, how to adjust your activity on painful days, and why weight management matters. If needed, I give advice on using a walking stick and on changes around the home.

How many sessions will I need?

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so my goal isn't to keep you coming to sessions indefinitely but to get you to the point where you can continue your own programme with confidence. For many people a period of 6–12 sessions at twice a week, followed by regular home exercise, is a realistic framework. The exact plan depends on your assessment.

What you can do at home

• Even on painful days, don't stay completely still; take short, frequent walks.
• A few times a day, slowly stand up from a chair and sit back down without using your hands.
• Break up long periods of sitting by bending and straightening your knee a few times.
• On stairs, lead with your good leg going up and your painful leg going down, and hold the handrail.

Frequently asked questions