The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis generally develop gradually over time and can worsen. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis may experience difficulties with activities that place stress on the knees, such as climbing or descending stairs, standing for long periods, or walking long distances. Common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include: creaking or popping sounds, difficulty walking, joint pain that can vary with weather conditions, stiffness in the joint area, a sensation of the knee giving way or 'buckling', progressively worsening knee joint pain, sudden onset of pain, redness of the skin, swelling, locking of the knee when attempting to move, and warmth of the skin.