Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
How knee pain is treated: exercise, weight loss, pain relief, treating the cause, injections and surgery.
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the pain is.
Step 1: Diagnose
History, examination, X-ray, MRI and blood tests find the cause.
Step 2: First-line care for most knee pain
Step 3: Treat the cause
Step 4: Surgery
Is it curable?
Injuries and infections often heal. Osteoarthritis is long-term, but symptoms can be well controlled, and many people avoid surgery.
Complementary care
Ayurveda, yoga and physiotherapy-style exercise can support care. They should not delay diagnosis or urgent treatment.
Key point
Most knee pain improves with exercise, weight control and the right treatment for its cause.
Before your appointment
Note when the knee pain began, where it hurts, and whether there was a fall or twist. Describe swelling, stiffness, locking, giving way, clicking and what makes it better or worse. List all medicines, painkillers, supplements and herbal products. Mention fever, other joint pain, gout and past knee problems. Bring earlier X-rays or reports and your usual shoes. Ask about tests, exercise, safe pain relief and when surgery is considered. Seek urgent care for a hot swollen knee with fever or inability to bear weight, or call 112 for severe symptoms.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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Yoga and exercise for knee pain: thigh strengthening, low-impact activity, gentle poses and what to avoid.
Knee pain medicines: paracetamol, NSAID cautions, injections, gout and arthritis treatments and braces.
Knee pain home care: early rest, ice, compression, gentle movement, weight control and what to avoid.
Causes of knee pain: osteoarthritis, ligament and meniscus injury, overuse, gout, inflammatory arthritis and infection.
How knee pain is diagnosed: history, examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, blood tests and joint fluid tests.
Ayurvedic view of knee pain (janu sandhigata vata): traditional care, limited evidence and cautions.
