Frequently Asked Questions

Diagnosis involves understanding a history of your symptoms, examining your knee, and using imaging such as X-rays to assess cartilage wear and joint alignment. In some cases, additional scans such as CT or MRI scans may be required to either exclude other conditions or quantify the degree of arthritis.Some patients develop patellofemoral pain syndrome in the absence of any bone, joint or soft tissue abnormalities. However, most patients with the syndrome present with one or more abnormalities related to bone anatomy, joint anatomy and/or soft tissue.

Diagnosis involves understanding a history of your symptoms, examining your knee, and using imaging such as X-rays to assess cartilage wear and joint alignment. In some cases, additional scans such as CT or MRI scans may be required to either exclude other conditions or quantify the degree of arthritis.Some patients develop patellofemoral pain syndrome in the absence of any bone, joint or soft tissue abnormalities. However, most patients with the syndrome present with one or more abnormalities related to bone anatomy, joint anatomy and/or soft tissue.

Although knee arthritis can affect anyone, there are several factors that can increase the risk of arthritis:

• Genetic predisposition
• Previous knee injury or surgery
• Other joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
• Occupations involving heavy manual work
• Age (over 40)
• Female gender
• Being overweight or obese
• Participation in high impact activities or sports (e.g. running, soccer or rugby)

You may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee
• A creaking or grinding sensation with movement
• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, squatting or kneeling
• Feeling of instability or knee feels like it is giving away
• Catching or locking of the knee

Knee arthritis typically develops as a result of progressive cartilage wear within the joint. This process may occur naturally with age or be accelerated by factors such as previous injury, altered joint alignment, or increased mechanical load.

In some cases, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to joint degeneration.

Diagnosis involves understanding a history of your symptoms, examining your knee, and using imaging such as X-rays to assess cartilage wear and joint alignment. In some cases, additional scans such as CT or MRI scans may be required to either exclude other conditions or quantify the degree of arthritis.Some patients develop patellofemoral pain syndrome in the absence of any bone, joint or soft tissue abnormalities. However, most patients with the syndrome present with one or more abnormalities related to bone anatomy, joint anatomy and/or soft tissue.

Diagnosis involves understanding a history of your symptoms, examining your knee, and using imaging such as X-rays to assess cartilage wear and joint alignment. In some cases, additional scans such as CT or MRI scans may be required to either exclude other conditions or quantify the degree of arthritis.Some patients develop patellofemoral pain syndrome in the absence of any bone, joint or soft tissue abnormalities. However, most patients with the syndrome present with one or more abnormalities related to bone anatomy, joint anatomy and/or soft tissue.

Although knee arthritis can affect anyone, there are several factors that can increase the risk of arthritis:

• Genetic predisposition
• Previous knee injury or surgery
• Other joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
• Occupations involving heavy manual work
• Age (over 40)
• Female gender
• Being overweight or obese
• Participation in high impact activities or sports (e.g. running, soccer or rugby)

You may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee
• A creaking or grinding sensation with movement
• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, squatting or kneeling
• Feeling of instability or knee feels like it is giving away
• Catching or locking of the knee

Knee arthritis typically develops as a result of progressive cartilage wear within the joint. This process may occur naturally with age or be accelerated by factors such as previous injury, altered joint alignment, or increased mechanical load.

In some cases, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to joint degeneration.