For knees with a limited amount of arthritis and good bone alignment, doctors may be able to offer newer treatments that replace cartilage. If you like high-impact sports, such as running or playing basketball, it's also a good idea to reduce them to low-impact activities, which shouldn't cause as much pain. These exercises are good for maintaining muscle mass, suggests Dr. He recommends biking, walking on flat terrain, swimming, elliptical exercises, and doing exercises with low-weight weights and high repetitions to strengthen and improve stability.
You may already be experiencing flexion (when your knee gives way suddenly), instability, blockage or engagement of the knee, which interferes with your ability to move normally. Over-the-counter medications for pain, inflammation and swelling can help, says Dr. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen (Aleve), offer a safe and effective way to reduce inflammation associated with arthritic pain. He adds that topical creams, such as Voltaren arthritis pain reliever gel or lidocaine patches, can help: to alleviate pain and stiffness, as well as to improve overall mobility.
While they may help in the short term, you should avoid long-term use of NSAIDs because of potential gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects, says Dr. These medications should be used as needed to control pain and discomfort. Oral steroids and prescription pain relievers are also available, but it's best to discuss them with your doctor. Wearing a brace can help redistribute forces within the knee joint.
Strengthening the muscles around the knee to better stabilize it can help decrease the forces that pass through the front of the knee and help people feel stronger, with fewer symptoms. The muscles around the knee act as “shock absorbers” for the stress the knee must absorb, says Dr. Injections for knee pain can provide temporary relief by reducing inflammation and lubricating the joint. They may be effective in controlling the early symptoms of arthritis, says Dr.
Cortisone injections are often recommended because they have the best overall combination of cost-effectiveness and efficacy. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) clinical practice guidelines for treating knee arthritis recommend moderate to strong cortisone injections and do not recommend hyaluronic acid injections because of these factors, Dr. Chalmers says. It aims to lubricate existing cartilage and reduce symptoms of arthritis.
Some patients receive an HA injection and then a cortisone injection three months later, and an HA injection three months later, followed by cortisone three months later. This could be your schedule for a couple of years. If you're thinking about having knee replacement surgery, it's recommended that you wait at least three months after your last injection before undergoing surgery, says Dr. Knee arthroscopy is generally reserved for people who have specific movement-related symptoms, such as a stuck knee or a blockage or tear of the meniscus, says Dr.
Because arthroscopic surgery doesn't replace cartilage, arthritic symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, will continue later if that was an initial problem. Total knee replacement is the best option when non-surgical treatments don't relieve symptoms and arthritis limits daily activities. His highlights the importance of individualized treatment plans that are based on imaging results, such as X-rays, and on the progress of a person's illness. You might be surprised to learn that surgery isn't always the best option.
Often, nonsurgical options are very effective in treating knee pain caused by arthritis, an injury, or another condition. Here are some options you can try. Treatments for knee osteoarthritis include lifestyle changes, non-surgical treatments, and surgery. Usually, healthcare providers first try nonsurgical treatments before recommending surgery.
for knee osteoarthritis. Steroid injections usually take 3 to 7 days to take full effect, but a steroid injection may ease knee pain in as little as 24 hours. Excess weight can also increase inflammation throughout the body, which can make knee swelling more painful. In addition, some patients' pain and level of disability remained the same even after knee replacement.
By strengthening your knees and learning to move, physical therapy can help control long-term pain. If knee pain has stopped you from doing something you enjoy, physical therapy can help you do it again. Steroids help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, because knee pain is often caused by tissue inflammation. We'll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that helps reduce and cure knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, injury, or other condition. An international panel found that, often, the recommendation for knee replacement does not correlate with the level of pain, disability, or degradation of the knee.
Injections are another common method used to quickly reduce inflammation and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis or another condition. A physical therapist will also teach you about the causes of knee pain and show you how to do regular activities to prevent further injury and alleviate knee pain between bones without the need for surgery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) are two alternatives to surgery that can improve function and reduce pain without being as invasive as a knee arthroplasty.
