Patients presenting with osteoarthritis of the knee will often experience the following symptoms:

• Mild to severe joint pain; especially after overuse or long periods of inactivity
• Pain that increases with use and decreases with rest
• Stiffness in the joint that makes everyday activities difficult; especially in the morning
• Decreased range of motion of the joint
• Weakness in the muscles surrounding the joint
• General feeling of joint instability
• Inflammation, redness, or swelling around the joint
• Crepitation (Crackling or popping sounds as the joint moves)
• Compensatory gait
• Abnormal stance; genu varum(bow-legged) or genu valgum(knock-kneed) deformity

  At the time symptoms occur that require a visit to a clinician; the joint has already undergone some degree of degenerative changes associated with the progressive nature of disease. The clinician will be able to determine the stage of the osteoarthritis and develop a treatment program accordingly.