Does knee osteoarthritis cause limping?

Wear-related changes in the knee can make the joint sore during standing, walking, stairs, or rising from a chair. You may shorten the step on the painful side or shift your weight to the other leg. Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting can make the first few steps particularly uneven. Muscle weakness around the thigh and hip may add to the altered pattern. A limp can also increase strain on the ankle, hip, or lower back, so mention new pain in those areas during an assessment.

Arrange an assessment if the limp persists, worsens, or limits everyday activities. A clinician or physiotherapist can check knee movement, strength, balance, footwear, and the way you load each leg. Treatment may include paced activity, strengthening, mobility exercises, weight-management support when relevant, pain-relief options, and a walking aid fitted to your needs. Supportive shoes and using a handrail on stairs may reduce strain. Do not force exercise through sharp or escalating pain; a gradual plan is easier to adjust.

Seek prompt medical advice for a suddenly severe limp, inability to bear weight, a hot or markedly swollen knee, fever, or an injury followed by deformity or intense pain. Urgent assessment is also appropriate if the leg becomes numb or weak, or if the knee repeatedly gives way and you cannot walk safely. These features can have causes other than osteoarthritis and should not be judged by the limp alone.

Ask what is driving the limp: pain, stiffness, weakness, alignment, or another problem. You can also ask which exercises are suitable, whether a cane would help and which hand should hold it, how to pace walking, and what changes should trigger a review.