The problem of knee pain is due to decrease in joint space which occurs due to age factor. if the problem is acute or early ostoearhritis, you should go through the conservative treatment rather than surgery.

Avoid sitting Cross legged. Avoid Squatting- Quadriceps Exercises- Lie straight, make a towel role and put it under the knee, press the keen against the role, hold it for 20 secs. Repeat 20 times twice a day. This will help relieve some pain. Core Strengthening Exercise- Straight Leg Raised With Toes Turned Outward, repeat 10 times, twice a day. Hams Stretching- lie straight, take the leg up, pull the feet towards yourself, with a elastic tube or normal belt. repeat 10 times, twice a day. Sports Taping- stretch the tape from both ends and apply on the affected area

In my opinion your mother is suffering from initial stages of osteoarthritis knee... she needs to check for calciumvitamin d deficiency and should start a medication which will delay degeneration and prevent damaging the greasing b/ w the bones known as synovial fluid...Tab. Orcerin gm once a day

She probably has degenerative arthritis of the knee. There cannot be any space created in the knee. Consult an Ortho surgeon who may prescribe supplements for arthritis and physio and exercises.

I think 43 yr is starting of osteoarthritis. As you want know consequences remember this degenerative related problem and will increase as age advance. At present if she had pain then analgesics can be advised but in long term she needs physiotherapy, excersices to strengthen muscle around knee .In initial stages surgery not  required.

Hello, In my experience, 43 is young for developing osteoarthritis. She weighs 50kg only. I agree, painkillers, pain relieving modalities will help to reduce the pain. Ask yourself how long? Following a list of standard  Don'ts  (squatting, steps, cross leg sitting  etc...) for months and years will further weaken her knees and will lead to disuse atrophy ( wasting of quadriceps and other major lower limb muscle due to lack of activity). Net result is pain and pain again.. Once the modality driven therapy is over, the pain is reduced to maximum extent,  "progressive strength training" will be the answer for her knee pain..Remember not just quadriceps she must do strengthen her entire lower body to be pain free and functionally fit..

At the age of 43, it is most likely to be early stage of osteoarthritis. Surgery will not be required. Consult orthopaedician for getting pain killers prescribed. Physiotherapy treatment with electro-modalities will also help for pain relief. You also need to strengthen the leg muscles (quadriceps, hamstring, hip abductors).

Usually at the age of 43 osteoarthritis of knee is the most common cause of knee pain.As mentioned the x rays also suggest the same.She is too young to be offered a knee replacement. Intra-articular steroids should be avoided. Start on mild SOS pain killers..