Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease. It doesn't happen overnight. It develops in four distinct stages, and the treatment depends entirely on how advanced your condition is.

Here is a breakdown of the stages of knee arthritis to help you understand your condition.

---

Stage 1: Minor (Doubtful)

What’s happening:

• Very minor wear on the cartilage.
• Tiny bone spurs (osteophytes) may begin to grow.

Symptoms:

• Usually no pain.
• You might feel slight stiffness occasionally.

Treatment:

• Supplements (Glucosamine/Chondroitin) may help (consult your doctor).
• Regular exercise to keep joints healthy.

---

Stage 2: Mild (Minimal)

What’s happening:

• Bone spurs are visible on X-rays.
• Cartilage is starting to thin, but the bones are not rubbing yet.
• Synovial fluid is still present.

Symptoms:

• Pain after a long walk or run.
• Stiffness when waking up or after sitting for a long time.
• Tenderness when kneeling.

Treatment:

• Weight loss if overweight.
• Low-impact exercise (swimming, cycling).
• Shoe inserts or braces.
• Pain relief medication (NSAIDs) when needed.

---

Stage 3: Moderate (Significant)

What’s happening:

• The cartilage is showing clear gaps and cracks.
• The gap between bones is narrowing.
• Bone spurs are larger.

Symptoms:

• Frequent pain with movement (walking, stairs, bending).
• Morning stiffness lasts longer.
• Swelling (water on the knee) may occur after activity.
• Popping or clicking sounds (crepitus).

Treatment:

• Physiotherapy is crucial.
• Injections: Corticosteroids or Viscosupplementation (Gel injections) to lubricate the joint.
• Pain management is a daily routine.

---

Stage 4: Severe (Advanced)

What’s happening:

• Bone-on-bone: The cartilage is almost completely gone.
• The joint space is drastically reduced.
• The bone ends are rubbing against each other.

Symptoms:

• Constant, severe pain (even at rest or at night).
• Walking is very difficult and painful.
• The knee may look deformed (knock-kneed or bow-legged).
• Stiffness is severe.

Treatment:

• At this stage, conservative treatments usually stop working.
• Total Knee Replacement Surgery is often the only option to restore quality of life.

---

Takeaway

Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed.

• In Stages 1 & 2, lifestyle changes are key.
• In Stage 3, injections and therapy help.
• In Stage 4, surgery provides a new lease on life.

Don't wait until Stage 4 to seek help. Early intervention is best. 👉 Book an assessment with Dr. Abhijit Kale.