Top Knee Pain Treatments for Osteoarthritis




If you're struggling with knee pain or stiffness, you're not alone. A recent Chinese study has identified the most effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis, a common degenerative joint condition caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the knee.


Top Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis Revealed


Researchers from the Department of Rehabilitation at Neijiang First People’s Hospital in China analyzed data from 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 patients. Their findings, published in PLOS One on June 18, 2025, and highlighted by The Washington Post, ranked the most successful interventions for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.


The results?


1. Simple knee braces ranked #1 in effectiveness for reducing pain and stiffness caused by knee osteoarthritis.


2. Aquatic therapy (also known as hydrotherapy or water-based exercise) ranked second.


3. Physical exercises such as weightlifting, yoga, and other forms of low-impact workouts came in third.


Why Knee Osteoarthritis Happens


According to Dr. Prakash Jayabalan, Director of Musculoskeletal Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, knee osteoarthritis begins when knee cartilage deteriorates, leading to bone-on-bone contact in the joint. Unlike other tissues in the body, cartilage cannot regenerate, so many people don’t notice damage until it’s too late.


Dr. Steve Messier, Director of the J.B. Snow Biomechanics Laboratory at Wake Forest University, explained that the most common risk factors for knee osteoarthritis include:


Previous knee injuries (like ACL tears)


Excess body weight, which puts additional stress on the knees

 "For every extra pound of body weight, the knees experience about four extra pounds of pressure during walking," Messier noted.


Lifestyle Changes Are Crucial


Experts agree that staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight are essential for managing knee osteoarthritis pain.


“The specific type of exercise doesn’t matter as much as the consistency,” said Messier. “What matters is that you stay active — all exercise helps relieve pain.”


These recommendations are in line with the 2019 international guidelines from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), which prioritize physical activity as the first-line treatment for knee OA.


Medication and Surgery: What to Consider


While many patients turn to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen for relief, long-term use can damage the intestinal lining. In more severe cases, knee replacement surgery is considered the gold standard — though full recovery can take up to a year for some individuals.

Source: The Washington Post 

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