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What can I do About Knee Arthritis?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Knee arthritis can be very painful, often even limiting a person's ability to move about and enjoy a normal quality of life. There are many treatment options available to someone dealing with this condition. The right treatment depends on the extent of the arthritis and the amount of pain the patient is suffering. Often, a doctor will prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to treat the pain and inflammation common with knee arthritis. They are typically stronger than those that can be purchased over the counter.

Simple lifestyle changes may be helpful for treating knee arthritis. For example, substituting exercises like walking for high-impact activities like running can go a long way toward reducing some of the stress put on the knee. It may also be helpful to limit things like walking up and down the stairs. It may even be helpful to lose weight, as doing so can help lessen stress on the knee and make moving about easier.

Pain medication can help with knee pain.
Pain medication can help with knee pain.

Sometimes special exercises are used to treat knee arthritis. For example, a doctor may refer arthritis patients to a physical therapist who can help them learn exercises designed to increase flexibility and improve their range of motion. Sometimes special knee braces are used as well. In some cases, wedged shoes may even be helpful in dealing with knee arthritis.

In some cases, a knee brace will be used to help treat knee arthritis.
In some cases, a knee brace will be used to help treat knee arthritis.

Injectable medications are sometimes used to treat knee arthritis. For example, corticosteroids may be injected into the knee joint for those who experience moderate-to-severe pain and swelling. Sometimes fluids are added through a series of injections intended to help lubricate the knee joint. In some cases, gold salt injections may even be used. However, they are typically reserved for rheumatoid arthritis.

Some arthritis patients have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment option.
Some arthritis patients have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment option.

Unfortunately, for some people, medication, exercises, and braces don't provide enough help; sometimes surgery is necessary instead. There are a few different types of surgery that may be used to treat knee arthritis. One type, called arthroscopic surgery, involves using special technology to let a surgeon view the inside of a person's knee and clean any debris found; torn cartilage may also be repaired with this type of surgery. An osteotomy involves cutting the tibia and the femur in order to change the alignment of the knee. In some cases, surgery is used to replace all or part of the cartilage in a person's knee.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Pain medication can help with knee pain.
      By: underdogstudios
      Pain medication can help with knee pain.
    • In some cases, a knee brace will be used to help treat knee arthritis.
      By: soupstock
      In some cases, a knee brace will be used to help treat knee arthritis.
    • Some arthritis patients have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment option.
      By: Alfred Wekelo
      Some arthritis patients have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment option.