Experts also advise people to find an activity they enjoy. Heat therapy can help relax muscles and relieve aches that result from arthritis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the use of supplements for arthritis. As a result, use of these compounds could result in side effects or negative interactions with medications. In a small-scale 2017 study involving 42 people with knee OA, half the participants used kinesiology tape and the other half used a placebo tape.
It’s painful, impairs movement and causes swelling of the joint. Some people are so disabled by it that they can’t work anymore. Meanwhile, for others, the pain isn’t necessarily as bad, but it still prevents them from regular activities like cleaning, gardening and running after their kids. But the good news is treatment can relieve some of the symptoms.
Dealing with knee pain can be debilitating and affect your daily activities. Finding the right knee pain relief treatment is crucial to improving your quality of life.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
There are several reasons why you may be experiencing knee pain, such as overuse injuries, osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, or tendonitis. Identifying the underlying cause of your knee pain is essential in determining the most effective treatment plan.
Experts suggest working with a trainer or exercising with other people to help you stay motivated. It can be as simple as inviting a friend, neighbor, or family member to join you on a daily walk. This will make exercise a social event as well as a workout. Recent approval of the use of cannabidiol (CBD), also known as medical marijuana, has provoked interest in it as a solution to a range of health problems. Tai chi is a form of meditative exercise, and the benefits of exercise alone are discussed above. Compression with a knee support, for example, can increase comfort levels.
Treatment Options
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a common treatment option for knee pain relief. It focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving flexibility, and reducing inflammation. A physical therapist can create a personalized exercise program to help alleviate knee pain.
Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot. Treatments will vary, depending upon what exactly is causing your knee pain. The IT band is a tendon that runs along the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee. This can happen when it rubs against the hip or knee after losing elasticity.
This includes exercises that work the hip muscles, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps muscles. Examples include lifting weights, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and working with resistance bands. However, it is possible to feel less pain, swelling and stiffness because of medications, physical therapy and other treatments. Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of arthritis of the knee. Some treatments might reduce the severity of your symptoms or even stall the progression. See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of knee arthritis.
But as research findings on the effectiveness of these injections come under scrutiny, medical experts voice a chorus of skepticism. You have different options for OTC topical pain relievers, including creams, sprays, and gels to help manage knee pain from arthritis. Some of these contain the same ingredients that NSAIDs contain.
Medication
In some cases, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the knee.
Injections
If conservative treatments do not provide relief, injections such as cortisone shots or hyaluronic acid injections may be recommended to help alleviate pain and improve mobility in the knee.
Surgery
In severe cases where other treatments have failed, surgical intervention may be necessary. Procedures such as arthroscopic surgery, partial or total knee replacement, or ligament reconstruction may be performed to address the underlying issue causing knee pain.
Overall, finding the right knee pain relief treatment involves consulting with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action based on the underlying cause of your pain. With proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, you can effectively manage and alleviate knee pain.
