Exercise
Exercise is important to improve joint movement and to strengthen the muscles that surround the joints. Gentle exercises, such as swimming or walking on flat surfaces, are recommended because they are less stressful on your joints. Avoid activities that increase joint pain, such as jogging or high impact aerobics.
Weight control
Staying at your recommended weight helps prevent osteoarthritis of the knees, reduces the stress on weight-bearing joints, and reduces pain in affected joints.
Supportive devices
Supportive or assistive devices may be helpful to decrease pressure on the joints. Knee supports may be helpful for some people to stabilize the ligaments and tendons and decrease pain. Canes or crutches may be helpful to take pressure off certain joints.
Heat or cold treatments
Heat or cold treatments may be recommended to provide temporary relief of pain and stiffness. These treatments may be given in the form of a hot shower or bath, or by applying heating pads or cold compresses.
Medications
Medications may be prescribed to reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis. Pain-relieving medications include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Some medications in the form of creams, rubs, or sprays may be applied over the skin of affected areas to relieve pain. Unfortunately, medications do not reverse or slow the progression of joint damage caused by osteoarthritis. When you are prescribed any medication, it is important to meet with your physician regularly so he or she can detect the development of any side effects. Click to read a short guide to the types of arthritis medications available.
Surgery
When osteoarthritis pain is not controlled with these other methods, or when the pain prevents you from participating in your normal activities, surgery may be an option to restore function. Surgery involves replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one. Under the best of circumstances, though, surgery cannot return the joint to its normal state (artificial joints do not have all the motion of a normal joint). However, an artificial joint will very likely diminish pain.