Osteoarthritis knee pain relief
Managing knee osteoarthritis: practical steps for relief and recovery
- Author: Dr Reza Feizerfan
- First published:
Osteoarthritis knee pain relief
What is osteoarthritis, and why does it hurt?
Knee pain can make life tough—climbing stairs, walking, or even just getting out of bed can feel like a challenge. If you’re living with knee osteoarthritis, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common causes of knee pain in Australia, and cases have steadily increased over the years. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to manage it—simple steps you can take at home, or specialised treatments available with the help of a pain specialist.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is what happens when the cushiony cartilage in your knee—the stuff that keeps your bones from rubbing together—wears away. Without it, moving your knee can feel stiff, sore, and painful. You might notice:
- Morning stiffness: Your knee feels like it’s stuck when you wake up, but loosens up as you move around.
- Pain with movement: Walking, bending, or climbing stairs makes it worse as the day goes on.
- Cracking sounds: You might feel or hear a crunch when moving your knee.
- Swelling or warmth: The knee looks puffy or feels hot to the touch.
Start small: everyday ways to manage pain
Before jumping to big treatments, many people find relief with simple changes:
- Take it easy: Resting your knee when it’s overworked can reduce swelling and pain.
- Physiotherapy: Strengthening muscles around the knee can help take the pressure off the joint.
- Cold or heat packs: Ice packs calm swelling, and heat helps loosen stiff muscles.
- TENS machine: This device uses gentle electrical currents to help reduce pain. It’s simple to use and can be an effective tool for managing discomfort.
- Stay active: Gentle exercises like swimming or walking can keep your knee moving without overdoing it.
- Anti-inflammatory meds: Over-the-counter painkillers can help, but they’re not a long-term solution.
- Weight management: Losing even a small amount of weight can take a lot of pressure off your knees.
Non-surgical knee arthritis treatment
When simple fixes aren’t enough
1. Intra-articular steroid injections
Think of this as a quick relief shot. Steroids are injected into the knee to calm inflammation and reduce pain. It’s not a permanent fix, but it can buy you weeks or months of relief. However, too many injections can wear down the cartilage, so we use this option cautiously.
2. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
This is a fancy way of saying we use your body’s natural healing powers. We take a small amount of your blood, spin it to separate the platelets, and inject them back into your knee. PRP can help with healing and reducing pain, but the results vary from person to person.
“PRP injections might not work for everyone, but studies show they can significantly reduce pain and improve movement for some.”
3. Hyaluronic acid injections
Ever heard of synovial fluid? It’s the “oil” that keeps your knee joint moving smoothly. These injections mimic that fluid, acting as a cushion or lubricant to reduce pain and improve mobility. Studies have shown they can be effective in managing knee pain from osteoarthritis, though results vary between individuals.
4. Genicular rhizotomy
If your knee pain isn’t going away, even after a knee replacement, this technique might help. It targets the nerves around the knee that are responsible for sending pain signals to your brain. By disrupting these signals, rhizotomy can provide long-lasting relief for osteoarthritis or ongoing pain after surgery.
“Genicular rhizotomy is particularly helpful for patients who continue to feel pain after a knee replacement. It helps by stopping pain signals, giving you the chance to regain comfort and mobility.”
Every treatment has risks, and it’s important to weigh them carefully. Injections can sometimes cause side effects like infection, bleeding, or temporary pain flare-ups. And not all treatments work for everyone. A thorough discussion with your doctor will help you make the best choice for your situation.
Knee pain specialist Perth
What’s next?
If you’re feeling stuck with knee pain, don’t wait for it to get worse. Start with simple steps like physiotherapy and heat packs, but if those aren’t enough, it’s time to talk to a pain specialist. Together, we’ll figure out what’s right for you—whether that’s an injection, a nerve procedure, or even just a fresh look at your daily habits.
“Pain shouldn’t define your life. Even if we can’t make it go away completely, we can help you move more freely and enjoy life again.”