Knee Osteoarthritis Physiotherapy
Help with knee stiffness, walking, stairs and everyday strength through an individual exercise and activity plan.
Knee osteoarthritis involves changes within the joint and can affect movement, comfort and confidence. Symptoms vary: an X-ray does not tell the whole story of what you can do. This guide focuses on managing an established knee problem, rather than assuming every painful or swollen knee is arthritis. Physiotherapy aims to improve function, not regrow cartilage or promise a cure.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
When to get urgent help
A newly hot, swollen painful joint needs urgent GP or NHS 111 advice, even without fever. Get NHS 111 advice now for severe knee pain, inability to move or take weight, major swelling or locking. After a major injury, an obviously dislocated joint or loss of feeling needs A&E or 999. Do not wait for routine physiotherapy.
NHS: Osteoarthritis- Your clinic
- Newham clinic & directions
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Common Symptoms
Knee aching during longer walks, stairs or standing up from a chair
Stiffness after sitting or on first getting moving, often easing with gentle movement
Difficulty bending or straightening the knee fully for everyday tasks
Fluctuating swelling or reduced confidence loading the leg; sudden changes need assessment
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
A newly hot, swollen painful joint: seek an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 advice, even without fever
Severe pain, major swelling, locking or inability to move or take weight on the knee: get NHS 111 advice now
After a major injury, an obviously dislocated joint or loss of feeling: go to A&E or call 999
Pain with feeling generally unwell, or stiffness lasting much longer than usual: arrange medical assessment
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Discuss how walking, stairs, work and sleep are affected, alongside any previous diagnosis or injury
Assess knee movement, thigh strength and practical tasks such as getting up from a chair
Review walking tolerance and balance, and consider whether hip or back symptoms contribute
Check for atypical symptoms and agree functional goals; further investigation depends on the findings
Treatment
Build a manageable strengthening programme for the thigh and other muscles supporting the knee
Choose suitable fitness activity and progress walking or cycling around your starting ability
Practise stairs and sit-to-stand movements with changes that make everyday activity more achievable
Consider hands-on treatment only alongside exercise; discuss medical review if limitations remain substantial
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Spread longer walks or household tasks into manageable periods rather than alternating overload and prolonged rest
Keep an agreed exercise routine and discuss how to adapt it during a flare-up
Track a meaningful activity, such as walking to the shops, to judge progress beyond pain alone
Discuss suitable walking support or weight-management help if relevant; these choices should suit your circumstances
Frequently Asked Questions
Will exercise wear my knee out faster?+
Suitable, regularly practised exercise is a core treatment for osteoarthritis. Start at a level you can manage and agree how to progress. A temporary increase in discomfort can occur, but marked swelling, a hot joint or a sudden loss of function should not be pushed through.
Do I need an X-ray before physiotherapy?+
Not everyone needs imaging. A clinician considers your history, examination and any unusual features. Further tests are useful when they could clarify a different problem or change management, rather than simply to put a label on pain.
Can hands-on treatment cure knee arthritis?+
No. Hands-on techniques may be considered alongside an exercise programme, not as a cure or a replacement for strengthening and activity. The plan should help you work towards practical goals between appointments.
What if I am already considering knee replacement?+
Exercise and practical advice may still support function while you discuss options with your medical team. If symptoms substantially affect daily life despite suitable non-surgical care, review with your GP or orthopaedic team is appropriate. Physiotherapy does not guarantee surgery can be avoided.
Related Pages
Explore related treatments and condition guides.
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
- NICE: osteoarthritis diagnosis and management
- NHS: osteoarthritis treatment and support
- Bexley MSK NHS: knee osteoarthritis
- NHS: joint pain and urgent symptoms
- NHS: Osteoarthritis
About your care at Nexus: meet our physiotherapists and read our clinical governance information.