Which finding is most characteristic of osteoarthritis in the knee?

Which finding is most characteristic of osteoarthritis in the knee?

• A. Fever
• B. Clicking sound when knee bends
• C. Pain that is worse after activity
• D. Sjogren's syndrome

Answer: (B)

Osteoarthritis causes degeneration of the joint surfaces, producing mechanical changes inside the knee. As the cartilage wears away and bone surfaces become rough, moving the knee often generates a creaking, grinding, or clicking sensation or sound—this is called crepitus. It’s a classic sign of skeletal surface wear and tear seen in OA. Fever would point away from OA and toward infection or inflammatory arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome is unrelated to knee joint wear. Pain after activity can occur in OA but isn’t as distinctive as the audible crepitus, which directly reflects the degenerative changes in the joint.