Your knee has been hurting for months. Someone said it is "wear and tear." But what does that actually mean — and what can you do about it? This guide explains everything in simple, honest language.
Causes, risk factors and what is happening inside your joint
Think of your knee like two bones pressing against each other. Between them is a smooth cushion called cartilage — like a shock absorber. In knee OA, this cartilage gradually wears away. As it disappears, the bones start rubbing against each other — causing pain, swelling and stiffness.
🦴 Simple way to understand: Imagine a car tyre used for years — the tread wears away. Your knee cartilage is that tread. OA is the wear.
| Grade | Meaning | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Very early. Slight roughening of cartilage. No visible gap on X-ray | Lifestyle + exercise |
| Grade 2 | Mild. Cartilage thinning. Small joint space reduction | PRP + physiotherapy |
| Grade 3 | Moderate. Significant cartilage loss. Daily pain | PRP/BMAC + consider surgery |
| Grade 4 | Severe. Bone on bone. No cartilage left. Severe pain even at rest | Knee replacement |
How to recognise knee OA — and when to see a doctor urgently
Knee OA does not happen overnight — it builds up slowly over months and years. Here are the most common signs:
⚠️ See a doctor urgently if: Sudden severe swelling after a fall · Knee is hot, red and you have fever · Knee locks and cannot straighten · You cannot bear weight on the leg at all
What you can do to protect your cartilage and slow down OA
You cannot stop ageing. But you can slow down how fast your cartilage wears. The choices you make today directly affect your knee health 10 years from now.
The full treatment pathway — from lifestyle changes to knee replacement
Weight loss, exercise, avoiding floor sitting and using cushioned footwear. These simple changes alone can significantly reduce pain in Grade 1-2 OA.
Strengthening the quadriceps (front thigh) and hip muscles reduces the load on the knee joint significantly. Strong muscles act as natural shock absorbers.
Anti-inflammatory tablets provide pain relief during flares. They treat symptoms — not the disease itself. Use only when needed. Long-term use has risks for stomach and kidneys.
For Grade 2-3 OA — PRP (from your own blood) or BMAC (bone marrow stem cells) injections can significantly reduce pain and slow down cartilage loss. Studies show PRP outperforms cortisone at 12 months. This is Dr. Sumit's speciality.
When there is no cartilage left and all other options have failed — knee replacement becomes necessary. Modern robotic knee replacement gives excellent results.
💡 Important: At Dr. Sumit's clinic, surgery is always the LAST option — not the first. Every Grade 1-3 patient is offered regenerative and physiotherapy options before any discussion of surgery.
5 exercises selected by Dr. Sumit — step by step with demonstrations
Exercise is one of the best treatments for knee OA. Strong muscles around the knee absorb shock and take load off the cartilage. These 5 exercises can be done at home without any equipment.
5 exercises · Step-by-step · Animated · English / Hindi / Telugu
What I tell every patient who comes to me with knee pain
"Most of my patients who need knee replacement today had Grade 1-2 arthritis 5-10 years ago and were told 'nothing can be done.' That is simply not true anymore. With PRP and BMAC, with proper physiotherapy, with weight management — we can meaningfully slow down this disease. The window to preserve your knee is Grade 1 to 3. Once it reaches Grade 4, bone on bone — we have run out of options except replacement. Come early. Give us a chance to save your knee."
— Dr. Sumit Dubewar · DABRM (USA) · Secunderabad
Book a consultation. Bring your X-ray. We will tell you exactly what grade you are, what your options are, and what to do next.
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