What Are the Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

Knee pain is a common complaint in the elderly, and nowadays, even adults are experiencing the same. There could be multiple causes of knee pain that may range from severe trauma to age-related degeneration of joints. The intensity of knee pain depends on the cause of the condition, and this decides the type of treatment required.

Multiple treatment options for knee pain are there from easy rest to ORIF surgery. The orthopedic specialist will decide the best one depending on the severity. In this blog, we will discuss available treatments for knee pain. When a severe condition like osteoarthritis is the cause of knee pain and conventional treatments are not feasible, surgery is the ultimate answer. Here, knee replacement surgery is commonest.

Treatment Options for Knee Pain

From simple home remedies to surgery, multiple knee pain treatment options are there. Let us have a look.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

In today’s world, obesity has become a major problem. Not only adults but even kids are suffering from obesity. It is also a common cause of joint pain, and the knee joint is no different. In obese, extra muscle mass is there and over time, it puts stress on the joints. As a result, the joint experiences more wear & tear while causing pain.

Now, if we talk about pain intensity, it is low in the starting and as wear & tear progresses, intense pain is there. So, reducing a few kilos may help improve knee pain.

If we talk about knee pain in obese, the orthopedic specialist will first recommend reducing weight before he decides to go for other treatments. Thus, it won’t be wrong to say that maintaining a healthy weight can significantly minimize knee pain and reduce the need for surgery. This is often true for people with osteoarthritis.

Physical Therapy for Knee Pain

Another treatment option for knee pain is physical therapy as it improves pain, range of motion of the joint, flexibility, and strength. If the pain is mild or moderate and imaging tests depict no fracture, physical therapy is worth trying and even orthopedic specialists suggest the same.

Depending on the intensity of the pain, the physiotherapist will plan an exercise regime. Physiotherapy is the best option for severe strain and sprain. Physical therapy is also a part of the rehabilitation program after surgery.

Here, it is important to make sure that the person is doing exercises correctly as the wrong techniques can do more harm than good. So, consulting a good physiotherapist is a must.

Medication for Knee Pain

Sometimes, over-the-counter drugs are enough to relieve painful symptoms along with inflammation & stiffness. NSAIDs are most suggested. However, OTC drugs must not be taken for too long as they have serious side effects associated. Hence, one should prefer prescription drugs. Sometimes, the orthopedic specialist will suggest topical ointments for knee pain relief.

Prescription drugs are the option when OTC drugs fail.

Another option here is steroid injections which are applied directly to the affected knee joint. These injections provide quick relief from pain and inflammation. Above all, they are highly effective and long-lasting. However, the healthcare service provider gives only limited doses of injections depending on the severity. Read More.