i love to ride my bike, and had a trip planned to ride some of the great pyrenean mountains. six weeks of treatment and i was back on the bike.
richard townsendnewcastle great park
clinician · davephysiotherapy
whole body · plain-english guide
osteoarthritis
affecting over 8 million people in the uk — and not, despite the myth, a wear-and-tear disease.
evidence-basedhcpc registeredseen in 3 daysone-to-one
first session45 minutes
typical recovery3 – 6 sessions
from£72
seen within3 days
accredited & insurer-ready
what is osteoarthritis?
osteoarthritis affects over 8 million people in the uk, most commonly developing after age 40. contrary to common belief, oa is not a wear-and-tear disease in most cases — it's primarily genetic. the condition involves cartilage thinning in joints, exposing nerve endings and causing pain.
trauma to joints (fractures or ligament sprains) may increase the risk of oa in that specific joint due to damage to the bone surface. but for most people, the primary driver is genetic predisposition combined with lifestyle factors.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- pain — dull ache, throbbing or sharp
- stiffness, particularly in the morning, that eases with movement
- loss of joint mobility
- possible swelling
- referred pain away from the affected joint
- sleep disruption from prolonged static positions
- aggravated by immobility and cold; eased by movement and heat
can you treat it at home?
most cases of osteoarthritis respond to a combination of self-management and targeted physiotherapy. here's how to tell which camp you're in.
try at home first
mild & new.
- less than 2 weeks old
- no radiating pain or numbness
- eases with gentle movement
- no sleep disruption
book an assessment
persistent or limiting.
- lasted 2+ weeks with no change
- shooting pain or pins & needles
- stopping you sleeping or working
- recurring flare-ups
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- exercise, exercise, and more exercise — stretching and strengthening programmes
- manual therapy (soft-tissue mobilisation, joint mobilisation)
- acupuncture and dry needling for pain relief
- supportive taping and joint supports
- custom orthotics (insoles)
- tens therapy
- corticosteroid injections
- medication and supplement advice
when to see a gp instead.
physiotherapy is safe and effective for the vast majority of cases — but these signs mean you should contact your gp, 111, or a&e first.
patients who had osteoarthritis.
a few words from patients we've treated for osteoarthritis.
darren was quick and efficient at identifying my problem and actively working to solve it. great north run 2011.
laura robb
clinician · darrensports injury
i didn't think the great north run 2011 was going to happen for me. a few weeks with darren and it did.
paul rickeard
clinician · darrensports injury
faqs.
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (bupa, aviva, vitality, wpa, axa) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
most patients are seen within three working days. evening and saturday-morning slots are available but book up quickly.
ready to sort it?
book a 45-minute assessment online, or call 0191 217 1929 and our reception team will match you to the right clinician.
treatments for osteoarthritis
what we'll often recommend.
most osteoarthritis plans combine one or more of the following evidence-based treatments.
most booked45 min
01
physiotherapy
hands-on assessment and treatment for pain, injury, and long-term conditions. 45-minute initial consultation.
from£72
book30 min
04
injection therapy
ostenil, monovisc, cingal and corticosteroid injections for persistent joint and soft-tissue pain.
from£400
book45–60 min
06
acupuncture
aacp-certified practitioners using acupuncture alongside physiotherapy for pain, tension, and recovery.
from£97
bookrelated guides
keep learning.
conditions we see most often alongside osteoarthritis.