Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: What Works?

Weight management is one of the most important parts of managing knee osteoarthritis.

Experts from the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation (ACR/AF) recommend losing at least 5% of your body weight if you have obesity or overweight. This could help reduce the strain on your knee joints, which could help alleviate symptoms.

Research suggests that losing 1 pound of body weight if you have obesity could help relieve up to 6 times the pressure from your knee.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you have obesity and osteoarthritis of the knee. They may recommend dietary changes and an exercise regimen for you.

Learn more about eating right for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Exercise is crucial if you have osteoarthritis of the knee. It can help:

• reduce knee stiffness and pain
• increase knee flexibility, mobility, and range of motion
• build muscle strength to support your knee joint

It’s important to avoid high impact exercises, as these could increase disease progression, cause inflammation, and worsen your symptoms.

The ACR/AF recommends some low impact exercises, including:

• cycling, or riding a stationary bike
• walking
• swimming or other water aerobics
• tai chi
• yoga
• stretching, strengthening, and balancing exercises

A doctor or physical therapist could help you prepare a suitable exercise program.

Learn more about exercising for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are the first-line treatment for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). These may include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol), if you cannot tolerate NSAIDs
• topical preparations that contain NSAIDs or capsaicin

If OTC remedies are not effective, a doctor may prescribe:

• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• tramadol (Ultram)

It’s important to note that tramadol is an opioid, which comes with a risk of dependency. The ACR/AF conditionally recommend it for treatment if other pain relievers don’t help. However, they don’t recommend other opioids.

Learn more about medications to treat osteoarthritis.

A healthcare professional may recommend corticosteroid injections for severe joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

These are injected into the affected knee joint to quickly reduce inflammation and provide relief from symptoms.

It’s important to note, however, that corticosteroids are only a suitable short-term treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends a maximum of 4 injections per year in the same joint, at least 3 months apart. This is to help prevent side effects, which may range from mild to severe.

Some other injection therapies may also help knee osteoarthritis, including:

• fluid aspiration (arthrocentesis)
• hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
• platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

However, more research is needed to support these injections in treating knee osteoarthritis.

Learn more about injections for osteoarthritis of the knee.

If joint pain becomes severe, and other therapies don’t help, a doctor may recommend surgery.

The following two surgeries may help relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis during the early stages of the condition:

• Arthroscopy: In this minimally invasive procedure, a surgeon uses an arthroscope, a type of camera, to view the inside of the knee. They can repair an injury or clean out debris, such as bone fragments, from the joint to better preserve healthy joint tissue.
• Osteotomy: In this procedure, a surgeon will cut and reshape the bone. This will take pressure off the injured part and correct the alignment of the bones.

If these don’t work, a doctor may recommend total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. This may be the most definitive way to help reduce symptoms and increase mobility, function, and quality of life.

During this surgery, a surgeon replaces the surfaces of the damaged bone and tissue with an artificial joint.

Learn more about surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Some alternative therapies may help you better manage knee osteoarthritis, including:

• stress management activities
• acupuncture
• heat and cold packs for relieving pain and inflammation
• occupational therapy to learn new ways to manage everyday activities
• cognitive behavioral therapy to help you manage negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with living with a chronic condition

The ACR/AF don’t recommend massage, manual therapy, or transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) for knee osteoarthritis because not enough research shows these alternative therapies are beneficial.

You may also consider using supplements for osteoarthritis, such as collagen, fish oil, and curcumin. However, the ACR/AF don’t recommend these due to the lack of research and dose standardization.

Learn more about natural remedies for osteoarthritis.

How do you fix osteoarthritis in the knee?

Treatment for knee osteoarthritis may include lifestyle changes like exercising, doing stress-relieving activities, and working with a physical therapist. It may also include medical treatments like medication, knee injections, or surgery.

What aggravates knee osteoarthritis?

Certain activities like jumping, twisting, and stomping could aggravate knee osteoarthritis. Putting pressure on the affected joint may also aggravate your symptoms.

How can I stop my knee osteoarthritis from progressing?

A treatment plan of medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery could help stop your knee osteoarthritis from progressing.

If osteoarthritis is causing pain and stiffness in your knee joint, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan that combines home remedies, medical treatments, and lifestyle changes.

Early intervention is the best way to stop joint damage from worsening.

With the right treatment, you can get the relief you need to better manage your symptoms and stay active.