Bone on Bone knee pain - what it means - Hervey Bay
Bone on Bone Knee Pain
Many people with knee arthritis hear the words “bone on bone.” Here’s what bone on bone knee pain actually means.
What is cartilage?
The ends of the bones in your knee are covered by a smooth, slippery layer called cartilage. It helps the joint move easily and spreads the load when you walk, climb stairs or kneel.
What does “bone on bone” mean?
In osteoarthritis, cartilage slowly gets thinner over time. When it has worn away in part of the joint, the bones sit closer together. On an X-ray, this shows up as a smaller gap between the bones, called “joint space narrowing.” People often describe this as “bone on bone.”
What do people notice?
Common symptoms include pain, stiffness (especially after resting), swelling, grinding or clicking, and trouble with walking or stairs. Symptoms vary a lot. Some people with big changes on X-ray have mild pain, and others have the opposite.
What are the options?
Management depends on the person. It can include exercise, weight management, physiotherapy, pain relief, walking aids, injections, or surgery such as knee replacement.
Next steps
If you have ongoing knee pain, see your GP, another health professional for an assessment.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Cleary (FAOrthoA, RACS) at Fraser Coast Orthopaedics treats arthritis of the knee both non surgically and surgically.
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