Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
Kayleigh Durrell
Knee osteoarthritis is often described as simple “wear and tear,” but that doesn’t quite capture what’s really going on. It’s a gradual change within the joint-affecting the cartilage, the surrounding tissues, and how the knee handles load over time. What I often see in practice isn’t just the joint itself, but how the whole body has adapted around it.
People usually come in describing stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while, alongside discomfort with walking, stairs, or longer periods on their feet. Sometimes there’s swelling, sometimes a feeling of the knee not quite trusting you. And understandably, that can start to affect confidence in movement as much as the pain itself.
From an osteopathic perspective, I’m always looking a little wider than the knee. The hips and ankles play a big role in how force is distributed through the joint. If the hips are a bit weaker or not moving as freely, or if the ankles are stiff, the knee often ends up taking more load than it should. Over time, that extra strain can contribute to ongoing irritation and discomfort.
My approach is gentle but quite thorough. I use hands-on techniques to help reduce muscle tension around the knee-particularly through the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles-and to encourage better joint movement where it feels appropriate. I’ll often work into the hips and ankles as well, helping the whole chain function more efficiently rather than asking the knee to cope on its own.
Alongside treatment, we’ll usually look at simple, manageable ways to support the knee day to day. That might include specific strengthening exercises to improve stability, or small adjustments to how you move-nothing overwhelming, just practical steps that build up over time. The aim isn’t to push through pain, but to gradually improve the knee’s tolerance to load in a way that feels achievable.
Just as importantly, I want people to feel reassured. Changes in the joint don’t automatically mean things will keep getting worse, and it doesn’t mean you have to stop being active. With the right balance of support, movement, and guidance, many people find they can stay mobile, reduce discomfort, and feel more confident in their bodies again.
