Knee, hip and osteoarthritis
Exercise, advice and hands-on care to help you stay active with sore knees and hips or osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine. It affects the whole joint: the cartilage, bone, ligaments and surrounding muscles.
OA used to be called wear and tear. We now understand it more as the joint working overtime to repair itself. It becomes more common with age, and is more likely if you have had a joint injury, do a lot of repetitive loading, carry extra weight, are female or have a family history.
Common symptoms
- pain and stiffness, at first with activity and later more often
- stiffness after rest, for example first thing in the morning
- swelling, clicking or a grating feeling in the joint
- difficulty with walking, stairs or opening jars
How physiotherapy helps
Exercise and staying active are recommended first-line treatments for osteoarthritis in Australian and international guidelines. Physiotherapy and exercise physiology can help you:
- keep or improve the movement in your joints
- strengthen the muscles that support the joint
- improve balance and confidence on your feet
- manage pain and flare-ups
- choose supports such as braces or a walking stick, if needed
If joint replacement surgery becomes an option, being strong beforehand helps recovery, and we can help you rehabilitate afterwards.
Ways we can help
- PhysiotherapyAssessment, hands-on care and a home program
- Exercise physiologySupervised strength and fitness programs
- Exercise classesSenior Health & Fitness, Strength & Mobility
If you have osteoarthritis, ask your GP whether a chronic condition management plan suits you. How care plans work.
Common questions
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
The right exercise usually helps. Some discomfort during exercise is normal, but pain should settle within a day. Your physio will help you find the right level.
Do I need an X-ray?
Osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms and an examination. Your doctor may order an X-ray in some cases.
This information is general in nature. Please consider your own circumstances and get personal advice from a health professional.