What are the early signs of knee arthritis?

The signs people notice first

• An ache in or around the knee after a long walk, a day on your feet or sport, rather than during it
• Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning that loosens within half an hour
• Discomfort going down stairs, getting out of a low car or rising from the floor
• Kneeling for prayer or sitting cross-legged becoming uncomfortable
• Mild puffiness after a busy day
• A grinding feeling when the knee bends under load

How early arthritis behaves

Early arthritis rarely follows a straight line. Many people have good weeks and bad weeks, and flares often follow a change in routine: a holiday with a lot of walking, a new gym class, weight gain or a period of inactivity. The pain is usually felt on the inner side of the knee, at the front around the kneecap, or across the whole joint.

This is different from an injury, which typically starts suddenly with a twist or a fall, and from inflammatory arthritis, which tends to cause long morning stiffness and affects several joints.

What helps at this stage

The early stage is where non-surgical treatment makes the biggest difference. Strengthening the thigh and hip muscles, keeping a healthy weight, choosing low-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or walking in cooler, air-conditioned settings, and pacing demanding days all reduce symptoms in many patients. Simple pain relief can help during flares. There is no need to give up activity; the aim is to adjust its type and amount.

When to get it checked

It is worth seeing a knee specialist if symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep returning, or start to affect sleep, work or prayer. An earlier assessment also helps if you had a previous knee injury or meniscus surgery, since these raise the risk. At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber takes a careful history, examines alignment and movement, and uses standing X-rays to see which part of the knee is affected, then builds a plan around your activities.