The most common signs of knee osteoarthritis are chronic knee pain, stiffness, swelling, and popping or grinding sounds in the joint. It is time to talk with a specialist when that pain keeps limiting your daily activities and basic care has not helped enough.
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common “wear and tear” arthritis. Over time, the cartilage that cushions your knee can thin out, and the joint can get irritated and inflamed. That irritation can lead to the symptoms below.
This article walks you through the signs to watch for, the signs that basic care may not be enough, and the warning signs that mean you should call right away. It is meant to help you have a better conversation with a clinician, not to diagnose anything on your own.
What does knee osteoarthritis feel like?
These are the signs commonly linked to knee osteoarthritis:
- Chronic knee pain: ongoing pain that can limit your daily activities
- Stiffness: a joint that does not feel as easy to move as it should
- Swelling: a knee that looks or feels puffy
- Popping and grinding: sounds from the joint that can be hard to ignore
If you recognize yourself in this list, it is worth paying attention. Chronic knee osteoarthritis pain can shrink your world fast. That can mean fewer walks, less sleep, and more of the “I guess I will just deal with it” feeling.
You do not have to stay stuck there. Knowing what you are feeling, and how long it has lasted, is the first step toward finding the right kind of help.
Could your knee pain be something other than osteoarthritis?
It might be, and that is exactly why an evaluation matters. Knee pain can be mainly caused by a different problem, such as a fracture, a major ligament injury, or another inflammatory arthritis. When that is the case, treatments aimed at osteoarthritis, including GAE, may not be a good fit.
A good first visit focuses on confirming that osteoarthritis is the main driver of your pain. It is better to find that out early than to guess. Please do not try to sort this out on your own from a list of symptoms.
What signs mean basic care may not be enough?
Most people start with conservative care. That usually means the basics that are boring but effective: exercise-based physical therapy, weight management if needed, and medications or injections when appropriate (1, 2).
It may be time to ask about next steps if you notice:
- Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis that limits your daily activities
- Symptoms that did not improve enough with conservative treatments
- A desire to avoid or delay knee replacement, if possible
- Imaging that supports osteoarthritis as a main pain source
These are the same points a provider may weigh when considering genicular artery embolization (GAE). GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that is generally discussed for people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who still hurt despite conservative care. These points are a starting place for a conversation, not a promise of any result. Only an evaluation can tell you whether GAE or another approach makes sense.
When should you see a vascular specialist?
Consider an appointment if your knee osteoarthritis pain has stuck around despite conservative care and keeps getting in the way of daily life. At VidaVascular, a vascular and interventional care practice, the team can review your symptoms and history and help you understand whether genicular artery embolization makes sense in your situation, or whether another approach is more likely to help.
Dr. Meghal Antani, our Medical Director, is a board certified vascular and interventional radiologist. You can also read about other issues we treat on our conditions page.
Your provider may also look for things that call for extra caution, such as an active infection, poor circulation, or certain bleeding risks. And it helps to go in with realistic expectations. GAE is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, not rebuild cartilage.
What should you expect at a first visit?
The first step is usually a focused evaluation to confirm that osteoarthritis is the main driver of your pain and that you are a reasonable candidate for any treatment being discussed. Evaluations often include:
- A detailed symptom review, covering where it hurts, what triggers it, and what you have tried
- A review of imaging, often X-ray and sometimes MRI depending on your situation
- A discussion of options, including nonsurgical care, injections, nerve-based treatments, and when knee replacement may be more appropriate (1, 2)
Before you go, it can help to think through those first questions: where it hurts, what makes it worse, and what you have already tried. Bringing that to the conversation makes it easier for your clinician to understand your situation.
The goal is clarity, not hype. If GAE is a fit, you should understand what success looks like, what timelines are realistic, and what the alternatives are.
Which warning signs mean you should call right away?
Some symptoms are never “wait and see.” If you ever develop any of these after any procedure, that is “call now”:
- Severe worsening pain
- High fever
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden leg swelling
If you have had a procedure and notice any of these, call right away instead of waiting to see if they pass.
Ready to talk it through? Call VidaVascular at (866) 800-2346 or request an appointment. You can visit us at our offices in Oxon Hill and White Plains, MD and Springfield, VA (see our locations).
References
- Bannuru, R. R., Osani, M. C., Vaysbrot, E. E., Arden, N. K., Bennell, K., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. A., Kraus, V. B., Lohmander, L. S., Abbott, J. H., Bhandari, M., et al. (2019). OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 27(11), 1578-1589.
- Kolasinski, S. L., Neogi, T., Hochberg, M. C., Oatis, C., Guyatt, G., Block, J., Callahan, L., Copenhaver, C., Dodge, C., Felson, D., et al. (2020). 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 72(2), 220-233.
