Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the knee joint occurs as a result of degeneration of the cartilage in the knee. It is commonly referred to as "wear-and-tear" arthritis or degenerative arthritis, and may manifest itself as a stiff, painful joint that may occasionally "lock" or "give way" during walking.

Due to osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee breaks down over time and the result is a severely damaged joint surface with bone rubbing on bone. This process may occur as a result of previous trauma to the joint, ligament instability, or abnormal stresses to the joint.

Hover your mouse over the image of healthy bone to the right to see an osteoarthritic bone.