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Knee osteoarthritis assessment template

A clinical diagnosis without routine imaging, performance tests and a plan built on education, exercise and weight care.

What it is built on

  • Clinical diagnosis without imaging. NICE guideline NG226, Osteoarthritis in over 16s (2022)
  • Core treatments: education, exercise, weight management. OARSI guidelines for knee, hip and polyarticular osteoarthritis (Bannuru et al., 2019)
  • Performance tests. OARSI recommended performance-based tests (Dobson et al., 2013)

How to use it: Free Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Note Templates

Subjective

  1. History of the presenting problem Written answer Onset, mechanism, duration, behaviour over 24 hours, aggravating and easing factors.
  2. Pain now (0–10) Scale 0 to 10
  3. Pain at worst in the last week (0–10) Scale 0 to 10
  4. What it stops them doing Written answer Work, sleep, sport, daily tasks.
  5. Patient's goals Written answer In their words.

Clinical diagnosis

  1. Aged 45 or over Tick box
  2. Activity-related joint pain Tick box
  3. No morning stiffness, or stiffness lasting 30 minutes or less Tick box Together these support a clinical diagnosis without imaging (NICE NG226).
  4. Atypical features: rapid worsening, hot swollen joint, locking, history of trauma Tick box Consider other causes and referral.

Objective

  1. Observation, swelling and range of movement Written answer
  2. Quadriceps and hip strength Written answer
  3. 30-second chair stand (repetitions) Number
  4. 40 m fast-paced walk (seconds) Number
  5. Timed Up and Go (seconds) Number
  6. Weight (kg), if the patient agrees Number

Plan

  1. Education on osteoarthritis and that movement is safe Tick box
  2. Structured exercise program started Tick box
  3. Weight management discussed where appropriate Tick box
  4. Clinical impression Written answer
  5. What was explained to the patient Written answer
  6. Treatment today Written answer
  7. Home program given Written answer
  8. Plan and expected number of visits Written answer
  9. Referral or imaging needed? Choose one: No · Yes — to GP · Yes — imaging · Yes — specialist · Yes — urgent / emergency

A starting point, not clinical advice. Check that it fits your patients, your practice and the rules where you work before you use it.