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Top Six Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

If you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, your doctor may recommend one or more treatments to reduce your symptoms. Most likely, your treatment plan will include a combination of lifestyle changes such as losing weight and exercising more, as well as treatments to decrease your pain.

Here are some of the most common treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any kind of treatment.

1. Lifestyle changes

Healthy lifestyle habits can be especially helpful to people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Your doctor will probably suggest incorporating these changes into your treatment plan:

  • Moderate exercise
  • Weight control
  • Simple daily routines that put less stress on joints

2. Physical therapy

Physical therapy uses exercises to condition muscles and improve flexibility and joint mobility. Typically you'll attend several sessions with a physical therapist and also receive an exercise plan you can continue to do at home.

3. Oral medications

Many people with osteoarthritis take over-the-counter or prescription pills to relieve pain. However, some pills are linked to stomach and heart problems, so it's important to take the right dose.

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4. Viscosupplement injections

Viscosupplements, like Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20), are injected into the knee to supplement your knee fluid and relieve pain. A single injection with Synvisc-One can provide up to six months of pain relief. The injection can be repeated safely if your knee pain returns.

5. Steroid injections

These injections are used to temporarily relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Typically doctors limit the number of steroid injections due to the potential risk of cartilage damage with frequent, long-term use.

6. Surgery

This option is often considered when knee pain is severe and other treatments have not provided relief.

6 Options for Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

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