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.
This class of medicinewhich includes ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxenhelps to decrease the inflammation associated with joint degeneration.
RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images
Because of this, it may be able to be taken by people who are unable to tolerate NSAIDs.
Topical Medications
Topical medications are also available for Knee OA pain relief.
They include:
Prescription Medication
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 vs. OTC NSAIDs
Selective NSAIDs:
Both of these are a concern with OTC NSAIDs.
In addition to regulating mood, this antidepressant has been found help relieve chronic physical pain associated with osteoarthritis.
You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous.
Instead, they are meant solely to provide short-term pain relief during periods of intense pain.
While not considered to be primary treatments, these options may still be of benefit to certain individuals.
Glucosamine and chondroitin also contain anti-inflammatory agents that may help reduce your pain and swelling.
Unfortunately, the research supporting the benefits of this supplement combo has been mixed at best.
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.
This intervention involves inserting fine-tipped needles into different areas of the body to treat arthritis pain.
Like the other alternative options, however, the research is still out on this treatment.
This ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the pain associated with an arthritis flare-up.
Can CBD Help With Knee OA Pain?
There are also no established guidelines for using CBD for knee OA symptoms.
In these cases, one of several specialist-guided interventions may be necessary.
Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections are another common treatment for the pain associated with OA.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation is another throw in 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.
Unfortunately, the benefits of this treatment are still unclear.
This procedure is extremely common and is very effective in treating OA.
A Word From Verywell
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis of the knee.
Michigan Medicine.Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Arthritis Foundation.Topical treatments for arthritis pain.
MedlinePlus.Diclofenac Topical (arthritis pain).
2022;13:906597. doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.906597
Food and Drug Administration.What to Know and Do About Possible Nitrosamines in Your Medication.
DiGiovanni M, Parker J.Is pregabalin effective in reducing pain because of arthritis?EBPR.
2020;23(9):41-42. doi:10.1097/EBP.0000000000000651
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.
2018;40:104-109. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.012
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis Foundation CBD Guidance for Adults with Arthritis.
