Knee Osteoarthritis
Move with greater comfort, strength, and confidence.
Knee osteoarthritis can make walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of a chair difficult. Our one-on-one physical therapy care is designed to help you improve mobility, manage pain, and return to the activities that matter to you.
Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs when the cartilage coverings on the end of the femur and the top of the tibia wear out. The tibia also has two special cartilage pads called menisci. As cartilage becomes flattened, bone spurs can form and the joint can become inflamed.
This process may lead to loss of range of motion, weakness, pain, and difficulty with everyday activities. Physical therapy can help with recovery of range of motion, strength, walking skills, and pain management.
At San Tan Physical Therapy, we begin with a thorough biomechanical evaluation, listen to your goals, and create a customized treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause—not just the symptoms.
How Knee OA Can Affect Daily Life
Knee osteoarthritis may affect the movements you rely on every day.
Walking & Weight Bearing
Pain, weakness, and joint changes can make it harder to bear weight comfortably or walk with confidence.
Stairs & Chairs
Knee OA can make climbing stairs and getting in or out of chairs more challenging.
Motion & Strength
Inflammation and cartilage changes can contribute to lost knee motion, muscle weakness, and reduced function.
Your Personalized Physical Therapy Plan
Everyone is different. Some people may require only a visit or two, while others benefit from an extended care plan over several weeks or months. Your plan may include the following components:
Evaluation & Education
A thorough biomechanical evaluation and extensive education help guide a customized plan for your knee and your goals.
Movement & Hands-On Care
Care may include gentle hands-on techniques to relax muscles, joint mobilization to decrease stiffness, and targeted stretching for tight muscles.
Strength, Balance & Walking
Progressive strength training, balance and muscular re-education, and walking training can support safe, functional movement.
Pain Management
Pain-relieving modalities such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation may be used as part of your individualized care.
Long-Term Independence
Your recovery can progress from pain relief to improved motion, strength, functional retraining, and an independent home or health club program.
Meaningful Goals
Treatment goals can include improved balance, joint alignment, range of motion, strength, safety, fitness, and tolerance for prolonged activity.
Physical Therapy Before or After Knee Replacement
Physical therapy is a successful treatment for arthritis and a therapist-directed program may help you delay or avoid knee replacement. If surgery is part of your path, a pre-surgical “prehab” program can increase strength and help speed the post-surgical recovery process.
After a total knee replacement, physical therapy helps restore range of motion, manage pain, build strength, improve balance and walking skills, and develop endurance. Recovery takes patience; give yourself at least three months to recover.
Related Care for Your Knees
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Individualized care for muscle and joint conditions that affect how you move.
Therapeutic Exercise
Targeted movement and progressive strengthening to support recovery and lasting function.
Joint Pain & Arthritis
Explore care for arthritis and other joint-related pain and mobility concerns.
Ready to Address Your Knee Pain?
San Tan Physical Therapy has served the Queen Creek and San Tan areas since 2006. Let us create a personalized plan to help you move forward.