Medicines and Products for Knee Pain

Supports and aids

Knee braces, sleeves, insoles and walking sticks may help some people.

Supplements

Glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric have mixed evidence. Ask your doctor before use.

Cautions

• Do not combine different NSAIDs
• No aspirin for children and teenagers
• Check before medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Avoid leftover prescriptions and unlabelled powders

Key point

Use painkillers carefully, and pair them with exercise and weight control.

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.