Knee Degeneration

In older people, repeated attacks of knee pain are likely to be a sudden worsening of osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis in the UK. Osteoarthritis causes damage to the articular cartilage (protective surface of the knee bone) and mild swelling of the tissues in and around the joints.

A painful fluid-filled swelling may develop at the back of the knee as a result of osteoarthritis – this is known as a Baker’s cyst, or popliteal cyst.

Osteoarthritis can sometimes affect younger people, especially those who are overweight or have had serious injuries to the knee in the past.

You should see your GP if you think the cause of your knee pain is osteoarthritis.