Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC TherapiesPrescription MedicationOpioid AnalgesicsAlternative TherapiesSurgery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Therapies
Prescription Medication
Opioid Analgesics
Alternative Therapies
Surgery
Knee arthritisis extremely common, especially as you age, and can prevent you from participating in your daily activities. While there are manydifferent types of arthritis, the most frequently seen variety in the knee isosteoarthritis (OA), which typically causespain and stiffnessas you bend or straighten the knee.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options available for osteoarthritis, which are detailed in the sections below.
RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
OA often comes on gradually, and its symptoms can ebb and flow over time. While it is wise to speak to a healthcare provider about any symptoms you experience, there are several steps you can take at home to help manage your knee arthritis.
The RICE Method
One of the most basic tools that can be used to combat the symptoms of osteoarthritis at home is the RICE principle. This acronym, which stands for Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation, is one of the most basic ways to treat the inflammation that OA can cause in your knee:
Weight Loss
Extra body weight places excessive stress on an already arthritic joint and can contribute to more frequent and intense OA flare-ups.
One of the most effective ways to combat the symptoms of OA at home is to lose weight. To lose weight, modify your diet and incorporate low-impact aerobic and strengthening exercises into your daily routine.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
If you are experiencing a flare-up of arthritis-related pain in your knee, several over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be able to help. It is important to speak to a healthcare provider first, however, as they may cause unintended side effects in people with other health concerns.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
This class of medicine—which includes ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen—helps to decrease the inflammation associated with joint degeneration. In doing so, it can help to reduce any pain, swelling, or stiffness you may be feeling.
NSAID WarningIt is important, however, to use caution when taking NSAIDs if you have any gastrointestinal, bleeding, or kidney issues, as this type of medication may cause adverse side effects.
NSAID Warning
It is important, however, to use caution when taking NSAIDs if you have any gastrointestinal, bleeding, or kidney issues, as this type of medication may cause adverse side effects.
NSAIDs for Chronic Pain: Risks of Long-Term Use
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen and Your Liver
Topical Medications
Topical medications are also available for Knee OA pain relief. They include:
OTC medications can be useful to address the symptoms of arthritis. In some cases, however, they are either ineffective or inappropriate for treating your joint issue. In these circumstances, a prescription medication may be necessary. The most commonly prescribed options are detailed below.
Selective NSAIDs
One type of medication that is utilized when OTC options are not appropriate is a selective NSAID. This class of prescription drugs, which includes brands like Celebrex and Mobic, has been shown to be effective in the short-term treatment of knee OA symptoms.
Selective NSAIDs vs. OTC NSAIDsSelective NSAIDs:Do not block the production of a stomach-protecting compound called prostaglandin. Because of this, these drugs do not have the same adverse gastrointestinal side effects.Do not impact your blood’s ability to clot, which makes them more appealing for individuals with bleeding disorders.Both of these are a concern with OTC NSAIDs.
Selective NSAIDs vs. OTC NSAIDs
Selective NSAIDs:Do not block the production of a stomach-protecting compound called prostaglandin. Because of this, these drugs do not have the same adverse gastrointestinal side effects.Do not impact your blood’s ability to clot, which makes them more appealing for individuals with bleeding disorders.Both of these are a concern with OTC NSAIDs.
Selective NSAIDs:
Both of these are a concern with OTC NSAIDs.
Duloxetine
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is aserotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)that can be used as a second-line treatment for knee OA. In addition to regulating mood, this antidepressant has been found help relieve chronic physical pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Cymbalta RecallStarting in October 2024, over 200,000 bottles of duloxetine delayed-release capsules were recalled over concerns about the presence of nitrosamines, which can increase the risk of cancer.If you take duloxetine, check your medication packaging to see if it was part of the affected lots or call your pharmacist to find out. You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous.The recalled lots have expiration dates from November 2024 to December 2025. You can check the lot numbers in the FDA enforcement reports released inOctoberandDecember.
Cymbalta Recall
Starting in October 2024, over 200,000 bottles of duloxetine delayed-release capsules were recalled over concerns about the presence of nitrosamines, which can increase the risk of cancer.If you take duloxetine, check your medication packaging to see if it was part of the affected lots or call your pharmacist to find out. You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous.The recalled lots have expiration dates from November 2024 to December 2025. You can check the lot numbers in the FDA enforcement reports released inOctoberandDecember.
Starting in October 2024, over 200,000 bottles of duloxetine delayed-release capsules were recalled over concerns about the presence of nitrosamines, which can increase the risk of cancer.If you take duloxetine, check your medication packaging to see if it was part of the affected lots or call your pharmacist to find out. You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous.
The recalled lots have expiration dates from November 2024 to December 2025. You can check the lot numbers in the FDA enforcement reports released inOctoberandDecember.
Pregabalin
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a nerve pain medication that can help reduce pain symptoms associated with knee OA.
Addiction WarningNarcotics are extremely addictive and should not be prescribed chronically or to those with prior substance abuse problems. Instead, they are meant solely to provide short-term pain relief during periods of intense pain.
Addiction Warning
Narcotics are extremely addictive and should not be prescribed chronically or to those with prior substance abuse problems. Instead, they are meant solely to provide short-term pain relief during periods of intense pain.
In addition, narcotics can cause side effects like:
Because of these side effects, it is important to use these medications with caution.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
In certain circumstances, some complementary or alternative interventions may be able to provide you with relief from knee arthritis. While not considered to be primary treatments, these options may still be of benefit to certain individuals.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two supplements that are often combined and taken orally to treat knee arthritis.
How Much Glucosamine Chondroitin Should You Take?
Unfortunately, the research supporting the benefits of this supplement combo has been mixed at best. There is some evidence suggesting that taking glucosamine and chondroitin may result in medium-term improvements in pain and function in people with knee OA. After 26 weeks of taking it, however, these benefits do not appear to be sustained.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another complementary treatment that has been intermittently used for OA.
Acupuncture Benefits and Risks
Like the other alternative options, however, the research is still out on this treatment. Acupuncture may provide some long-term improvements in the daily function of people with chronic knee arthritis, but it appears to deliver only short-term pain relief.
Ginger
Ginger, a common spice found in many recipes, may also hold some benefit for individuals with OA. This ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the pain associated with an arthritis flare-up.
Research has shown that individuals with arthritic knees who take oral ginger supplements have lower pain levels and reduced disability when compared with people who don’t take the substance. In addition, ginger has no negative gastrointestinal side effects, which may make it appealing to people who can’t tolerate NSAID medications.
Can CBD Help With Knee OA Pain?Emerging research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may have the potential to help with arthritis-related pain symptoms.However, larger clinical studies are needed to confirm this. There are also no established guidelines for using CBD for knee OA symptoms.That said, if you’re interested in trying CBD as a form of treatment, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider first—especially if you are taking other medications.
Can CBD Help With Knee OA Pain?
Emerging research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may have the potential to help with arthritis-related pain symptoms.However, larger clinical studies are needed to confirm this. There are also no established guidelines for using CBD for knee OA symptoms.That said, if you’re interested in trying CBD as a form of treatment, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider first—especially if you are taking other medications.
Emerging research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may have the potential to help with arthritis-related pain symptoms.However, larger clinical studies are needed to confirm this. There are also no established guidelines for using CBD for knee OA symptoms.
That said, if you’re interested in trying CBD as a form of treatment, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider first—especially if you are taking other medications.
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
In some situations, a flare-up of arthritis cannot be managed with home remedies or medication alone. In these cases, one of several specialist-guided interventions may be necessary.
Because the options range from conservative to invasive, it is best to work with a healthcare provider to identify which (if any) are appropriate for your specific condition.
Physical Therapy
One of the most effective ways to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with knee OA without having surgery is to participate in physical therapy (PT).
A physical therapist can help select exercises that:
Individuals with knee OA who undergo physical therapy have been shown to improve their daily function without the adverse side effects associated with other medications or interventions.
Corticosteroid Injection
This type of treatment can be extremely effective in the moment; however, the benefits of the injection are often short-lived. While some people experience longer-lasting relief, it is not uncommon for the pain to return one to two weeks after a cortisone injection. Because of this, they are considered to be a short-term management strategy an are generally not given more than once every three months.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
More recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a potential treatment option for knee arthritis. This treatment involves a healthcare provider:
Injections to Relieve Knee Pain
Platelets contain proteins called growth factors, which play a significant role in tissue healing. Because of this, injecting growth-factor concentrated plasma into the arthritic area may help reduce the pain and soreness associated with osteoarthritis.
The research on this treatment is still mixed, however, and it appears that PRP injections are most beneficial six to 12 months after they are administered in your knee.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation is another type of injection that may provide some arthritis relief without surgical intervention.
This procedure involves injecting a substance called hyaluronic acid (HA) into the knee joint. HA is a smooth, lubricating substance that is normally found in the synovial fluid that surrounds your joints. By injecting this viscous fluid into an arthritic joint, viscosupplementation aims to reduce the friction and pain associated with moving an arthritic knee.
Unfortunately, the benefits of this treatment are still unclear. At this point, viscosupplementation appears to be most appropriate for individuals who:
Total Knee Replacement
When all other treatment options are ineffective at managing your pain, atotal knee replacement surgerymay be needed.
Knee Replacement Surgery: Overview
This procedure is extremely common and is very effective in treating OA. Overall, individuals who undergo a knee replacement have been shown to have decreased pain, improved function, and high levels of long-term satisfaction.
A Word From Verywell
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis of the knee.
Michigan Medicine.Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Marvin Sineath J.Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults.American Academy of Family Physicians.2015;92(10):875-883.
Arthritis Foundation.Topical treatments for arthritis pain.
MedlinePlus.Diclofenac Topical (arthritis pain).
MedlinePlus.Capsaicin topical.
Zhou Q, Chen J, Yu W, et al.The effectiveness of duloxetine for knee osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews.Front Physiol. 2022;13:906597. doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.906597
Food and Drug Administration.What to Know and Do About Possible Nitrosamines in Your Medication.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription opioids?
Arthritis Foundation.Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain.
Lin KW.Treatment of knee osteoarthritis.American Academy of Family Physicians.2018.98(9):603-606.
Bartels E, Folmer V, Bliddal H, Altman R, Juhl C, Tarp S, Zhang W, Christensen R.Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2015;23(1):13-21. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2014.09.024
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis Foundation CBD Guidance for Adults with Arthritis.
Filardo G, Previtali D, Napoli F, Candrian C, Zaffagnini S, Grassi A.PRP injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.CARTILAGE. June 2020. doi:10.1177/19476035209311706
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
