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Conditions I treat

Knee & hip osteoarthritis

A scan that says 'wear and tear' doesn't tell you how much it will hurt, or what you can still do.

I treat knee and hip osteoarthritis at Shop 8, 19 Ways Road, Hampstead Gardens. Initial appointment $150 (45 minutes), HICAPS on site. No referral needed for private appointments.

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What's actually going on

It's rarely just the sore bit.

Osteoarthritis is common, and the changes on an X-ray often don't match how much pain a person has. Many people are told to rest the joint, avoid stairs or wait for a replacement. Guidelines for knee and hip osteoarthritis recommend education and exercise first, because a joint that is better supported by the muscles around it usually copes with more.

How I treat it

Find it. Calm it. Rebuild it.

I work out what the joint is being asked to do, build the strength and tolerance around it, and adjust your activity so you can keep doing what matters to you.

01
Find the real cause

Why it keeps happening - not just where it hurts.

02
Calm the system

Settle the pain and the worry, so you can move and trust it again.

03
Rebuild properly

Build the capacity back, not just calm the pain until the next flare.

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Why the scan doesn’t tell the whole story

Osteoarthritis is a change in the joint, not a measure of how much it hurts. X-rays and MRIs show wear-and-tear in many people who have no pain at all, and some people with very sore joints show little on a scan. So I don’t treat the picture. I treat what your joint can and can’t do now.

Knee or hip?

The two joints show up differently. Knee osteoarthritis tends to be felt on stairs, getting up from a low chair or after a stretch of sitting. Hip osteoarthritis is often felt in the groin, the front of the thigh or even the knee, and shows up when putting on socks and shoes, getting out of the car or walking further than usual. Hip pain referred to the knee is common, which is why I check both. Pain that runs from the buttock down the back of the leg may be coming from the lower back instead, which is covered under sciatica. If it’s the groin that’s sore, see hip and groin pain. If the knee has had an injury as well, see knee and ACL rehab.

What the first appointment involves

I take a history first: where it hurts, what you want to keep doing, what has changed. Then I look at how you move: walking, stairs, getting up from a chair, a squat to your comfortable depth. I test the strength of the hips and legs and check the lower back and the joint above and below. You leave knowing what I think is going on, what I’m not sure of yet, and what the first few weeks look like.

What treatment looks like

Education. Understanding what the changes on a scan do and don’t mean takes a lot of the fear out of moving.

Strength. A program for the muscles that support the joint, built up in steps and adjusted to how you respond.

Activity. I help you work out how much walking, cycling, gardening or sport suits the joint now, and how to build that up without flaring it. You also get a plan for the bad days.

If you’re considering a replacement, that decision belongs to you and your surgeon. Strength work before and rehab after are a normal part of that pathway, and I work with the plan your surgeon sets.

Fees and what you can claim (private health, Medicare, DVA, WorkCover) are on the FAQ page.

When to get it checked sooner

A hot, red, swollen joint, especially with a fever, should be seen by a doctor promptly. So should sudden severe pain after a fall, being unable to put weight on the leg, a knee that locks or gives way, or constant pain at night that doesn’t change with position.

Read more on this

Going deeper.

Meniscus Tear: Surgery vs Rehab Wear-and-tear changes in the knee, and why rehab comes before surgery. A Hip Labral Tear Doesn't Mean Surgery Scan findings at the hip that are common in people with no pain. Why Does the Front of My Knee Hurt? Pain around the kneecap, and how it differs from arthritis.
Common questions

Before you book.

Can physio help knee osteoarthritis? +
Yes. Exercise and education are the usual first step for knee osteoarthritis. I look at how your knee copes with the things you need it to do, such as stairs, getting up from a chair and walking, then build the strength of the thighs, hips and calves around it. If something in your history suggests you need imaging or a different kind of care, I'll say so and refer you on.
Does osteoarthritis mean I will need a joint replacement? +
No. Many people manage osteoarthritis for years with exercise and sensible changes to activity. A replacement is a decision for you, your GP and an orthopaedic surgeon, usually when pain and function stay poor despite good non-surgical care. I can show you how your joint responds to loading, which is useful information either way.
What exercises help knee osteoarthritis? +
There isn't one set that suits everyone. It usually includes strengthening for the thighs, hips and calves, plus walking or cycling, progressed to what your joint can tolerate. Some discomfort while exercising is common and isn't a sign of harm. How it settles afterwards is what guides the next step.
Is walking bad for a knee or hip with osteoarthritis? +
Walking is generally good for these joints. What causes trouble is a sudden jump in distance, pace or hills that the joint hasn't built up to. I help you find a starting amount and build from there.
Should I rest a sore arthritic joint? +
A day or two of easing off during a flare is reasonable. Resting for weeks tends to leave the muscles weaker and the joint less able to cope. The aim is to stay active within what the joint tolerates, then build.
Do I need a scan or X-ray before I see you? +
Usually not. Changes on a scan are very common and don't predict how much pain you'll have, so I don't treat the scan. I assess how the joint moves and loads. If I think imaging or a doctor's opinion is needed, I'll tell you.
How long does it take to see a difference? +
It varies. Strength and confidence usually build over weeks of consistent exercise, and pain changes at a different pace for different people. After your assessment I'll set out what I'd expect for your joint and how you and I will know it's working.

Let's sort it properly.

Same-week appointments. It starts with a proper assessment.

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