Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis, commonly known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is a condition in which the natural cushioning between joints, the cartilage, wears away. When this happens, the bones of the joints rub more closely against one another with less of the shock-absorbing benefits of cartilage. The rubbing results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased ability to move.
Usually in OA of the knee either the inside or outside of the knee is worn down more than the other. If the inside is worse, we call this medial compartment OA, if the outside of the knee is worn down worse we call this lateral compartment OA.
Treatment for OA of the knee consists of improving the stability and strength around the knee, decreasing the pain, swelling and inflammation, and changing the contact point through your knee (unloading the knee joint).