If you are one of the millions of Americans dealing with knee pain, here are the best five knee pain treatments that will help you achieve long-lasting relief.
1. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the most used knee pain treatment because it is the most successful of all options. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as a standalone treatment or in combination with other approaches to improve the chances of effective recovery.
The exact treatment plan is decided on the intensity of knee pain, cause, accompanying symptoms, activity levels, age, muscle performance, and other factors. That way, a patient receives a personalized approach that is more likely to be successful.
A 2018 study examined how physical therapy modalities affected pain and other symptoms in people with knee osteoarthritis. This condition is one of the leading causes of knee pain, so it’s essential to see how physiotherapy can improve the outcomes. The results showed significant improvement in knee function, muscle strength, and range of motion. At the same time, people experienced less intense knee pain.
Physical therapy is an effective way to deal with knee pain, which is backed by ample evidence and research.
2. Medication
Pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The most common ones include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve your pain and other symptoms or manage underlying conditions causing knee problems. There are also numbing creams that contain substances that block pain signals, which can provide temporary relief.
Your doctor may recommend medications like NSAIDs to manage knee pain and complement your treatment plan.
3. Knee Injections
If you have moderate to severe knee pain resulting from injury or underlying condition, your doctor may recommend injections to manage it. There are several types of injections available, including:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Platelet-rich plasma injections
- Growth factor injections
- Botox therapy
- Cryopreserved regenerative medicine therapy injections
- Viscosupplement injection treatment
Your doctor decides the best injection type and frequency based on pain intensity and other factors.
Injections have a great potential to relieve pain and inflammation in people with knee problems.
4. RICE Approach
RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Knee pain specialists recommend RICE to deal with pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis flare-ups.
- Rest – The trick is to avoid activities that cause knee pain and not stop being active altogether. This will help you prevent further injuries.
- Ice – Apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times per day to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
- Compression – Compress your knee to reduce swelling.
- Elevation – Elevate your knee above heart level while resting to promote circulation and reduce swelling.
The RICE method can help manage knee pain caused by minor injuries. Your doctor will recommend it in combination with other treatments.
5. Custom bracing
Knee braces are designed to support your knee and provide stability. They can help reduce knee pain, increase mobility, and improve joint strength. That will ease current symptoms but also prevent their progression.
There are several types of knee braces, and your doctor can recommend a custom one based on your condition. They are often used in addition to physical therapy and exercise.
Knee braces are a low-risk option that supports your knee, improves mobility, and reduces pain.
Knee Pain Specialist in Woodlands, TX
If you struggle with chronic knee pain, Dr. Edward Nash is a knee pain specialist in Woodlands, TX, who can help. Dr. Nash and his team at Progressive Pain and Rehabilitation use regenerative medicine and conservative treatments to overcome knee pain and improve your quality of life. We offer various treatment options, including physical therapy, medication, injections, RICE, and custom bracing.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nash and get a personalized treatment plan for your knee pain.
346-220-8063