My knee has arthritis and now it catches with a sharp pain. Why?

Why arthritic knees catch

As cartilage wears, the smooth gliding surfaces become uneven. Bones can grind or hitch over each other, especially after sitting or when the knee first takes weight. Bony spurs at the edges of the joint can pinch soft tissue. The meniscus also weakens with age and may develop degenerative tears that catch with twisting or deep bending. Occasionally a piece of cartilage or bone breaks free and acts as a loose body.

Many people describe it as a sudden stab of pain that makes them stop, a feeling the knee might give way, or a grinding catch on stairs. Often there is swelling the next day.

What usually helps

• Strengthen the thigh and hip muscles; this is one of the most effective treatments for arthritis symptoms
• Keep active with low-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or walking on flat ground
• Reduce load: weight loss, if relevant, makes a real difference to knee pressure
• Use a stick in the opposite hand on bad days
• Discuss pain relief that suits your health, and whether an injection may help a painful flare
• Adjust deep bending activities such as floor sitting and kneeling if they trigger the catch

When to see a knee surgeon in Doha

Book an assessment if the catching is new or getting more frequent, if the knee truly locks so you cannot straighten it, if swelling keeps returning, or if pain limits walking, prayer or sleep. Go to emergency the same day if the knee becomes hot, red and swollen with fever.

Is keyhole surgery useful for arthritis catching?

For general arthritis pain, research shows that arthroscopic washout and trimming give little lasting benefit compared with good non-surgical treatment, so it is not offered routinely. It may still help when there is a clear mechanical problem, such as a loose body that keeps locking the knee or a displaced meniscus flap, in a knee where the arthritis itself is not severe.

At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber examines the knee, reviews standing X-rays and, when needed, an MRI, then discusses the options that match the stage of arthritis: rehabilitation, injections, realignment surgery such as high tibial osteotomy, or partial or total knee replacement in advanced cases.