Extremities & Joints
Knee Osteoarthritis
Age- and load-related change in the knee joint.
Also called: Knee arthritis, Degenerative knee changes.
Osteoarthritis describes change in joint surfaces over time. Imaging severity and symptom severity often do not match, and movement is generally better tolerated than rest.
Symptoms often include stiffness after sitting, aching with activity, and gradual changes in how far or how comfortably a person can walk.
Why this matters
Keeping walking and daily activity going matters for general health as well as for the knee. Movement helps maintain the strength and mobility that support the joint.
Fear of making the knee worse sometimes leads people to move less, which can reduce strength and flexibility and make daily activity harder over time.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Pain sensitivity, balance, and how load is shared through the limb all contribute to how an arthritic knee feels day to day, alongside the visible joint changes.
Supporting balance, strength, and movement confidence can help a person stay active within a joint that has degenerative change, even though the change itself is not reversed.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Osteoarthritis is a medical diagnosis, and ongoing care sometimes involves imaging or orthopedic input, especially if symptoms progress. Dr. Geran will let you know if that referral is appropriate.
- Sudden, significant swelling or warmth in the joint
- Knee giving way or locking
- Inability to bear weight
- Fever accompanying joint pain
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Joint Pain & Staying Active — Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles — extremity function matters as much as the spine.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Instability — A repeatedly rolling or unreliable ankle, usually following earlier sprains.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.