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Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is the gradual wear of the cartilage cushioning your joint. While it is the most common cause of knee pain after 50, age does not dictate your treatment. What truly matters is the impact on your quality of life and the extent of the joint damage.

Knee osteoarthritis

Signs that matter

If you recognize two or more of these symptoms, a professional assessment is your best next step.

  • Pain while walking, using stairs, or standing up.
  • Morning stiffness that improves with activity.
  • Joint swelling following physical activity.
  • A grinding, clicking, or catching sensation in the joint.
  • Gradual difficulty in fully bending or straightening the knee.

Treatment options

Non-surgical first — always the starting point where possible

  • Activity modification and weight management.
  • Physiotherapy and muscle strengthening.
  • Anti-inflammatory medication.
  • Injections (steroid or viscosupplementation).

Surgical solutions — when conservative care is no longer enough

  • Arthroscopic treatment in selected cases.
  • Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement.
  • Total knee replacement.
  • Revision knee replacement.

When is surgery the best option?

Surgery is the best option when pain continues to limit your daily life despite proper conservative care — specifically when you find yourself avoiding stairs, waking up at night due to pain, or planning your entire day around the limitations of your knee. At that stage, a joint replacement reliably removes the worn surfaces, and most patients are able to walk on their new joint within just one day of surgery.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Asked in
clinic, daily

How long does a knee replacement last?+
Modern implants typically last 20–25 years or more for most patients, thanks to significant advancements in materials and fixation techniques over the last decade.
How soon will I walk after surgery?+
Most patients stand and take their first steps within 24 hours, begin walking with support within a few days, and achieve independent walking within 4–6 weeks.
Am I too young (or too old) for a replacement?+
There is no fixed age limit for the procedure. The decision is based on your symptoms, the extent of joint damage, and your overall health — not just your age.

Unsure what your
joint needs? Ask.

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BALHARETH.ORTHO

Dr. Mohammed Ali Balhareth — consultant orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip & knee replacement, reconstruction, and trauma surgery in Riyadh.

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