Tricompartmental osteoarthritis causes pain and damage due to the cartilage (cushioning) in a joint breaking down. This form of osteoarthritis occurs when there’s damage in the three compartments of your knee joint—the inner side, outer side, and front.

In the United States, about a third of people aged 65 or older have knee osteoarthritis. Of these, about a quarter have tricompartmental osteoarthritis.

The main symptom of tricompartmental osteoarthritis is pain on the sides and front of the knee. While many people can manage this with pain medications and other therapies, some may need knee replacement surgery. 

The main symptom of tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis is knee pain. Pain location and severity can differ from person to person. There are related symptoms that can also vary by person.

Knee Pain

The most common symptom of tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis is pain around the knee joint. Because this arthritis affects all three knee compartments, you might feel pain on the middle side of your knee, the outer side, or the front. You may also feel the pain near all three areas.

Some people have chronic (long-lasting) pain, while others may experience pain that comes and goes. The pain might be dull, sharp, mild, or intense. The pain often develops slowly and gradually worsens over time. 

Bending or straightening your knee can be painful. This can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, like climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, doing household chores, and walking. The pain tends to flare up (appear or worsen) with vigorous, high-impact activity.

Related Symptoms

Tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis can cause additional symptoms, including:

• Reduced range of motion in your knee
• Popping or grinding sounds when you move your knee
• Knee stiffness
• Knee swelling
• Locking of your knee
• Muscle weakness around the knee

Overuse, injury, and general wear and tear can damage your knee’s cartilage, bone, and related joint structures. Inflammation may also play a role in the damage. Because of injury to these structures, the joint can’t bend and extend smoothly, resulting in pain.

Risk Factors

Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis of the knee. These include:

• Older age
• Previous knee injury
• A family history of osteoarthritis
• A job or hobby that requires repetitive kneeling or standing
• Weakness of the muscles around the knee
• Excess body weight
• Female sex

A healthcare provider can diagnose tricompartmental osteoarthritis. At a visit, you can expect them to take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam. They will likely examine your knee and ask about your symptoms. They might also request additional tests, including imaging studies and blood tests.

Imaging Studies

Imaging can help a healthcare provider diagnose tricompartmental osteoarthritis. Imaging can also help track progression and give more detailed information. Imaging studies may include:

• X-ray: This imaging test helps your provider diagnose knee osteoarthritis and get basic information about the degree of joint damage.
• Ultrasound: This type of test can help provide information about soft tissues in your knee.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test provides more detailed imaging, which healthcare providers may use to assess you for surgery. 

Blood Tests

Blood tests may help your healthcare provider diagnose or rule out other conditions and causes. These tests may include:

• Complete blood count: This basic blood test may give clues about infection or other possible causes.
• C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests: These blood tests check for high levels of inflammation, which might point to a different diagnosis.
• Rheumatoid factor: Results of this blood test might help your healthcare provider diagnose rheumatoid arthritis instead of osteoarthritis.

Your healthcare provider can recommend several approaches to help your knee feel better. Although nonsurgical treatments for tricompartmental osteoarthritis can’t reverse the disease, they may help reduce symptoms and improve mobility in some people.

Physical Therapy

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend physical therapy as the main treatment to help improve your knee function and reduce pain. This type of therapy is helpful to increase your exercise capacity, improve your mobility, and help you adapt your everyday activities with less pain.

Exercise

Exercise is helpful for people with knee osteoarthritis, but it’s important to avoid activities that put a lot of stress on your knees. Walking and swimming are good options, as are exercises that help strengthen the muscles around your knee or improve your balance.

Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the go-to pain relief medications for tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are available as oral medications (taken by mouth) or topicals (creams applied directly to the knee). Examples include Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). 

Other pain relievers may include:

Lifestyle Changes and Other Approaches

Other treatment approaches may include one or more of the following:

• Weight loss, if extra body weight contributes to your symptoms
• Devices such as canes and specialized knee braces
• Hot or cold therapy applied to the knee
• Mind-body therapies, such as tai chi, yoga, or cognitive behavioral therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation (an outpatient procedure to interrupt nerve signaling and reduce pain)

Surgery

For people with severe tricompartmental osteoarthritis, surgery may be an option. The surgery, called a total knee arthroplasty, involves replacing all three compartments of the joint.

In some cases, surgery can dramatically decrease pain and improve your quality of life. However, some people still have knee pain after surgery. In general, surgery always carries some risks, so it’s not the best choice for everyone. Be sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits of this surgery with your healthcare provider.

Carrying extra body fat tends to put more stress on the knee joint over time, which can contribute to osteoarthritis. To help prevent tricompartmental osteoarthritis, work with your healthcare provider to find healthful and safe ways to keep your weight in a range you both decide is reasonable for you.

Through diet and other lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce your risks. A balance of strengthening and aerobic exercises may also help with weight loss while improving overall pain and health.

Some research suggests that reducing your alcohol intake may also help prevent knee osteoarthritis.

Tricompartmental osteoarthritis can lead to a few complications, including:

• Increased pain
• Falls
• Walking difficulties
• Pinched nerves and numbness or tingling

Knee pain and other symptoms can sometimes interfere with your overall quality of life, so it’s important to manage any pain as best as possible.

It’s key to stay active to maintain your strength and stamina. However, you might not be able to do some of the activities you did in the past. A physical therapist can help you find ways to modify the activities or suggest other activities. 

Many people can navigate their osteoarthritis without surgery, instead relying on assistive devices, activity modifications, and careful use of pain medications.

If your symptoms are too painful or disruptive to your daily life, it may be time to consider surgery. Your healthcare provider can discuss the possible risks and benefits of your unique situation.