Knee Osteoarthritis

 
 

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Knee Osteoarthritis. Please click on image to access the leaflet.

What is Knee Osteoarthritis?

The knee is the joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. The condition involves the gradual breakdown of the articular cartilage that covers the bone surfaces within the knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced function. As the cartilage wears away, the bones may begin to rub against each other, causing further pain and inflammation. Bony spurs (osteophytes) may also develop around the joint margins.

Mr Dennis Kosuge is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in knee conditions, including osteoarthritis of the knee. He consults and operates at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth (private) and The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow (NHS), seeing patients from across West Essex and East Hertfordshire.

Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

Symptoms typically develop gradually and may fluctuate over time. They include:

  • Pain in and around the knee, which may worsen with activity and improve with rest in the earlier stages

  • Swelling and warmth around the joint

  • Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting for a prolonged period

  • A creaking, clicking, or grinding sensation (crepitus) within the knee

  • Deformity of the knee — the leg may bow inward (valgus) or outward (varus)

  • In more advanced cases, pain at rest or at night, and difficulty with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair

 

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Partial Knee Replacement surgery. Please click on image to access the booklet.

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Total Knee Replacement surgery. Please click on image to access the booklet.

Diagnosis

Mr Kosuge will take a detailed history of your symptoms and perform a thorough clinical examination of your knee. Weight-bearing X-rays are the primary imaging investigation and typically show characteristic features of osteoarthritis including joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and changes to the underlying bone. An MRI scan may be arranged in selected cases.

Treatment Options

Mr Kosuge adopts a stepwise approach to managing knee osteoarthritis, beginning with non-surgical options:

  • Physiotherapy and a structured exercise programme to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee

  • Weight management advice

  • Oral pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication

  • Knee injections — including steroid, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or Arthrosamid — to reduce pain and inflammation

When non-surgical management is insufficient and the condition is significantly affecting your daily life, surgical options including partial or total knee replacement may be considered. Mr Kosuge will discuss all options with you fully, ensuring the decision is made together based on your individual circumstances.

Book a Consultation

If you are suffering from knee pain and would like a specialist opinion, Mr Kosuge is available for private consultations at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth, and NHS appointments at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. He welcomes self-pay and insured patients.

To book an appointment, please call 01279 602675 or use the online booking link below.

NHS patients may be referred by their GP to The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT