What Are Your Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

Health

Knee pain has become a problem among many older adults. There can be several reasons for knee pain ranging from arthritis, injuries, or swelling. In some cases, knee pain may also increase the chances of arthritis or osteoarthritis. 

While knee pain can be encountered at any age, it is necessary to explore the treatment options for knee pain and seek necessary medical help. It will be essential for people experiencing knee pain to act quickly as it can reduce the severity of pain and ensure minimal to no instability in overall well-being. Knee pain can be diagnosed with multiple treatment options, such as knee replacement surgery and regenerative medicine San Diego

Exploring safe and reliable treatment options for knee pain:

  • Over-the-counter(OTC) medications

Over-the-counter(OTC) medications are among the most common treatment options for knee pain. OTC medications can significantly help in providing relief for knee pain and swelling. Common OTC medications include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or tylenol. However, it will be advisable for you to only consume OTC medications by consulting a healthcare professional such as a doctor first. Otherwise, such drugs may result in adverse side effects for certain patients. 

  • Therapy

The main reason behind knee pain is the lack of strength in knee muscles. If the muscles around your knee weaken, you will likely experience knee pain and swelling. In such cases, therapy can be an excellent option to relieve knee pain significantly. Physical therapy can help reduce knee pain and increase muscle strength around the knee. It will help to consult a doctor before starting therapy to relieve knee pain. 

  • Regular exercise 

Regular exercise is not only crucial for maintaining overall well-being, but it can also help in reducing the severity of knee pain. Exercising can have numerous advantages, such as reducing stress, increasing mobility, maintaining optimal weight, strengthening the muscle around the knee, and much more. Practicing regular exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, or swimming would be best. 

  • Surgery

If you have been experiencing knee pain for many years and have not observed significant relief, it will be safe to assume surgery as a treatment option. Depending on your health condition, a doctor may advise surgical options for treating knee pain. You can ask your doctor about minimally invasive surgical procedures like arthroscopic surgery or other options such as osteotomy and total knee replacement. It will be in your best interest to act promptly when encountering knee pain, as it can help you eliminate pain, swelling, and stiffness early on. 

  • Steroids

If you want to eliminate severe knee pain without going through surgery, you should consider steroids as a treatment plan. In cases of severe pain and stiffness in the knee, a doctor will likely inject the patient with steroids directly into the knee joint. Steroids are known for instant and temporary relief. Unfortunately, steroids cannot offer long-term relief from knee pain.