Key facts
- Osteoarthritis involves the cartilage, the bone underneath it and the surrounding tissues.
- X-ray changes and symptoms do not always match, so both are considered.
- Non-surgical treatment covers strength, load, weight and daily activity.
- Injections are one option, chosen by indication rather than by routine.
- Surgery is discussed when the findings and your limitations point to it.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a change in the joint, involving the cartilage on the surfaces, the bone underneath, the lining and the surrounding muscles and tendons. It can cause pain with load, stiffness after sitting, swelling and a knee that feels less confident on stairs. It develops for many reasons, including previous injuries, the way the leg loads, body weight, activity history and individual factors.
Is knee osteoarthritis just a matter of age?
Age matters, and age alone rarely explains a symptom, because your other knee is the same age. What the examination adds is how the joint moves, where it is painful, how strong the leg is, how you load it and what your imaging shows. Two people with similar X-rays can have very different symptoms and very different function, which is why the plan is built around the person rather than the image.
Which non-surgical treatments exist?
Non-surgical treatment is the base of care for many patients, and it is more than advice to rest.
- Structured strengthening and movement control work
- Changes in daily load, training and technique
- Weight management when it applies, discussed with respect
- Medication reviewed with your other conditions
- Aids and footwear changes when indicated
The route is discussed around your case, and you can read about non-surgical knee treatment in Dubai.
When are injections considered?
An injection can be considered as part of a plan, for example to reduce pain enough to progress with rehabilitation. The type of injection, the target and the use of ultrasound guidance are discussed according to the case. An injection is not a treatment of the whole condition, and its role is explained before a decision is made. See ultrasound-guided knee injections in Dubai.
Every procedure has indications, limitations and potential risks, which are discussed individually before a decision is made.
When is surgery discussed?
Surgery is discussed when the symptoms persist despite an adequate non-surgical programme, when the joint changes are advanced, and when the limitation in your daily life justifies it. Options can include procedures that address load or alignment and, in advanced cases, knee replacement. Which of them applies is a clinical decision, taken with you, after the alternatives have been reviewed.
When to see a specialist
If knee stiffness and pain are changing how you walk, climb stairs, work or train, or if you were told your knee shows osteoarthritis and want the options explained, a specialist assessment is the next step. Dr. Ronald Barreto sees patients in Dubai, in English and Portuguese, and the clinic team arranges your appointment on WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp line arranges your appointment. The assessment happens in the consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can knee osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Many patients are treated without an operation, using strengthening, load changes and, when indicated, injections. Whether that applies to you depends on your examination and your imaging.
Does exercise make knee osteoarthritis worse?
Appropriate exercise is part of treatment. What matters is the type, the dose and the progression, which are set in the assessment.
Do I need an X-ray or an MRI for knee osteoarthritis?
Imaging is chosen for the question being asked. Many cases are assessed with a weight-bearing X-ray, and MRI is added when another structure needs to be looked at.
Will I need a knee replacement?
Not necessarily. Knee replacement is discussed in advanced cases with persistent limitation, after other options have been reviewed.
Which doctor treats knee osteoarthritis in Dubai?
An orthopedic doctor assesses knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Ronald Barreto holds the licensed title Specialist Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, and his practice focuses on the knee.
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