Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation. Patients typically report pain, stiffness, swelling, crepitus, and functional limitations, which worsen with activity.
Etiology is multifactorial: age-related cartilage wear, obesity, prior knee trauma, malalignment, and genetic predisposition all play roles. Mechanical overload of the joint accelerates degeneration.
Epidemiologically, knee OA is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting nearly 1 in 6 adults over age 50. Prevalence is higher in women and in populations with rising obesity rates.
Treatment includes lifestyle interventions (weight reduction, exercise therapy), pharmacologic management (NSAIDs, acetaminophen, topical agents), and intra-articular injections (corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or regenerative therapies under investigation). Bracing and assistive devices may improve function. For advanced cases unresponsive to conservative therapy, surgical options such as partial or total knee arthroplasty can provide relief. For patients who are not surgical candidates, have failed joint replacement surgery, or simply do not want to undergo joint replacement surgery, options include genicular nerve ablation, genicular artery embolization, peripheral nerve stimulation or dorsal root ganglion stimulation.