Therapy for Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis results from the breakdown of the articulating cartilage lining the knee joint, a condition that restricts movement and causes pain. Although painful, knee arthritis can be treated and managed. What follows is a brief list of the most common types of knee arthritis therapies.

Rest

• For painful knee arthritis flare-ups, resting the knee, including total knee immobilization and/or the use of an assistive aid to reduce the stress placed on the knee, is an effective form of therapy for a painful, arthritic knee joint.

Activity Modification

• Certain types of physical activities have a tendency to inflame and/or irritate an arthritic knee, including most high-impact/high-stress activities like running and jumping. Avoiding these types of activities and replacing them with participation in low-impact/low-stress activities is an effective form of knee arthritis therapy that helps to reduce pain and improve function.

Pain Medication

• Various pain medications, including over-the-counter and prescription-based medications, are available to treat the pain and discomfort caused by knee arthritis. Most pain medications work by reducing inflammation within the knee joint and blocking pain receptors that transmit pain messages to the brain.

Knee Joint Injections

• In cases of severe knee pain, knee joint injections can offer significant pain relief. A knee joint injection consists of injecting a small amount of corticosteroid (usually cortisone) directly into the knee joint, where the medication reduces inflammation and pain levels.

Knee Replacement

• In severe cases of knee arthritis, knee joint replacement, which consists of replacing a damaged knee joint with artificial implant materials, is an effective form of treatment that reduces pain, improves function, and allows for the resumption of an active life.