How To Treat Knee Arthritis At Home

Consult A Physician When Necessary

How To Treat Knee Pain Without Exercises (At Home)

The knee may need immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden injury, such as one caused by a road accident or a fall.

You should have your knee checked by a doctor if there is considerable pain, deep cuts, swelling, or if you cannot move your leg.

Other knee problems require an examination by a doctor if:

Lasts for a long time
Progression of deterioration
Disrupts daily life

In the event of red, tender, warm, and swollen knee joints, it is important to visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms such as persistent pain, involvement of other joints, and morning stiffness may indicate rheumatoid arthritis. As well as for the actual disease, doctors can also prescribe medications to treat the pain associated with it.

When a swollen knee is very hot and painful, and when there are other general symptoms of feeling unwell, its time to seek medical attention immediately. There is a possibility of infection, which can result in severe health complications. This requires immediate hospital treatment.

When a person is receiving medical treatment for knee pain, they should contact their doctor if problems get worse or if there are any problems with the treatment, like a drug side effect.

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Risk Factors For Knee Pain

Anyone with knees can have knee pain, but there are some risk factors that increase your chances. Carrying extra weight is a primary risk factor, as is having a job that places lots of stress on the knees. Professional athletes and enthusiastic amateurs alike are all at risk of knee pain due to wear-and-tear and injury also.

Other risk factors include:

Lack of flexibility or strength in supporting muscles

Apply Heat And Cold Therapy

Ever notice how a warm shower loosens up your joints and muscles in the morning? If you have arthritis, your answer is probably yes. Did you know you can use both heat and ice to treat your arthritis? Heatsuch as from a shower, bath, electric blanket or heating padhelps relieve stiffness and gets blood flowing to the muscles so you feel able to move again. Ice reduces joint pain and swelling. If your arthritic knee hurts after youve been standing or walking all day, apply an ice pack to the painful or swollen area for no more than 20 minutes. Rest a bit, then move around again to keep from getting stiff.

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Dealing With Knee Arthritis At Home

1Lose weight if you’re too heavy. As a general rule, people who are overweight or obese suffer more arthritis because of the increased amount of pressure on their joints especially weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and low back. Furthermore, overweight people are more likely to have flat feet and fallen arches, which promotes “knock knees” . Genu varum is hard on knee joints because it causes misalignment of the thigh and shin bones. Thus, do your knees a favor by losing excess weight. The best way to lose weight is by increasing cardiovascular exercise while decreasing your daily calories at the same time.

Most people who aren’t especially active only need about 2,000 calories daily to maintain their body processes and still have enough energy for some exercise.

Reducing your daily caloric intake by only 500 calories can result in about 4 pounds of lost fat per month.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

Swimming is a fantastic exercise for arthritis sufferers to lose weight because your body is buoyant and no pressure is put on your joints.

Apply moist heat first thing in the morning or after not using your knee for long periods of time. Avoid electric heat sources because they can dehydrate the skin and muscles around the knee.

Microwaved herbal bags work well for knee arthritis, especially the ones that are infused with aromatherapy because they tend to have relaxing properties.

Are There Benefits Of Walking With Knee Pain

How Can You Reduce Knee Pain Naturally at Home?

It may seem counterintuitive to increase your activity level when you have chronic knee pain or arthritis, but walking can actually provide a number of benefits, including:

Lubricating the joints
Increasing blood flow to the tissues
Building muscle strength to support the knee

Before beginning or resuming any fitness routine, it is essential that you obtain clearance from your physician to ensure the health and safety of your joints. Walking is a fantastic option for many patients with knee arthritis because it is a low-impact activity that does not put undue stress on the joints. Furthermore, walking can increase the knees range of motion and keep it from becoming overly stiff.

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Heat And Cold Compression

Both heat and cold compression work as an anti-inflammatory. But the treatment you choose depends on the type of pain you have. Heat relaxes muscles and improves lubrication, leading to a reduction in stiffness. For better results, you can use a hot water bottle or a warm pad. Ice can also be a good option at the end of a long day if your knee becomes inflamed. You can wrap an ice cube in a cloth and apply it to the affected part.

Follow Your Healthcare Providers Advice

Because arthritis flares are somewhat inevitable, you should know what your healthcare provider wants you to do when a flare occurs. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider ahead of time. Flares are typically inconvenient, meaning they can occur during the night or on the weekend when your healthcare provider is unavailable.

Know the maximum limits of your pain medication. Discuss whether you should always have a backup on hand or ready to be refilled. Know what your healthcare provider wants you to do.

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When To See A Doctor

An obvious knee injury caused by sudden trauma, such as from a road accident or a fall, may need immediate medical attention.

A knee should be checked by a doctor if there is considerable pain, deep cuts, swelling, or the person is unable to use their leg.

For other cases of knee pain, a doctor will need to examine the problem if it:

persists for a long time
gets progressively worse
disrupts daily activities

It is important to get a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor if knee pain involves red, tender, warm, and swollen joints.

If the symptoms are persistent, involve other joints, and there are other symptoms such as morning stiffness, it could be rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors can give drugs for both the disease itself and the pain it causes.

If a swollen knee is very hot and painful, and if there are other general symptoms of feeling unwell, this is a time to get urgent medical help. The knee could be infected, and serious infection can be dangerous. This needs urgent hospital treatment.

Anyone whose knee pain is receiving medical help should see contact their doctor again if problems get worse or if there are issues with treatment, such as a drug side effect.

Lubricate With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

How to Get Rid of Arthritic Knee Pain in 30 SECONDS

The very consistency of olive oil makes it seem like something that would lubricate your joints and ease arthritis pain, and it turns out, it actually does. A main compound in extra virgin olive oil called oleocanthal inhibits inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, just like Advil or aspirin does. The study showed that 1 ½ tablespoons is equal to 200-mg of ibuprofen. However, not every oil is created equal. Heat destroys oleocanthal, so it is necessary to use extra virgin olive oil or cold-pressed. The ripeness of the olives at the time they were pressed also determines the level of oleocanthal-generally the stronger tasting the oil, the higher the level there is present. It can be taken internally to reap the benefits, but being high in calories consider replacing any fats, such as butter, with it in cooking instead.

You will need -2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

DirectionsRub a bit of olive oil onto your sore joints twice a day, massaging in to each one gently. You can also take 2-3 tablespoons daily, but be sure to give up some other form of fat due to the high calorie count in the oil

What Questions Might A Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Arthritis Of The Knee

Your healthcare provider will interview you when you report your symptoms. Some questions might include:

Does anyone in your family have arthritis of the knee?
Does your knee swell up?
Is your skin often red?
Is your skin often warm?
Do you have symptoms in one knee or both?
How long have you had these symptoms?
What medications do you take?
How severe is your pain?
Do you struggle to walk?
Do the symptoms interfere with your daily activities?

Treating Your Arthritis Knee Pain At Home

Physical Activity Low-Impact and Low Intensity Exercise Strengthening Exercises Stretching Tai Chi Diet Weight Management Anti-Inflammatory Diet Over-the-Counter Medications Supplements Ginger Fish Oil Boswellia Turmeric/Curcumin What About Glucosamine and Chondroitin? Topical Treatments OTC Topical Remedies Essential Oils Heat and Cold Therapy Knee Supports Meditation A Word From Verywell FAQs Related content Videos

Although there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are treatments available to help you to keep moving. In addition to treatments your healthcare provider offers, there are safe and effective ways you can treat knee arthritis at home.

Arthritis causes inflammation in one or more joints.Pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness are the main symptoms. Knee arthritis can be painful and affect your ability to walk or climb steps. And research shows it is a major contributor to both disability and time lost from work.

Any joint can be affected by arthritis, but the knee is the most commonly affected joint. The two common arthritis causes of knee arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid , but arthritis comes in more than 100 forms and any of these can affect your knees.

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Easy Home Remedies For Knee Joint Pain

Knee pain has become a part of life for many people because it never goes. This pain can start at any age. However, usually, it is more as you age. Whether it is due to an injury or some underlying medical condition, knee pain can interfere with your daily activities. The debilitating pain may last for some hours or at times for days altogether.

The prominent cause of knee pain currently everyone is facing is obesity. Obesity causes knee pain at any age as it causes extra pressure on your knee joints. For some, it can turn into a lifelong issue. Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.

Take Pain Relief Medications To Ease Joint Pain

Sometimes, osteoarthritis symptoms may include severe pain. In these moments, medications are your best bet for reducing symptoms quickly.

That way, you can get back to your rehabilitation program and continue your recovery.

Now, your doctor will probably recommend traditional medications, like over-the-counter NSAIDs. These are very effective at reducing pain and swelling from osteoarthritis.

But, if you have a previous health condition or are on prescription medications, your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen instead of NSAIDs.

Pro tip: If you have a pain flare-up, try to identify what caused it. Too much movement? Too little? Stress? Bad sleep? This is a learning opportunity you can use to prevent it from happening again.

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Exercise Is A Natural Treatment For Arthritis

Gentle weight training plus aerobic exercise is a great combination natural treatment for arthritis that can strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, providing it with greater support and helping it stay healthy.

Cartilage is like a sponge that needs exercise to bring nutrients into it to keep it healthy, says Gurjit S. Kaeley, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the division of rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville.

Have Quick Meals Ready To Go

An arthritis flare can last one or two days, a week, or more. Unfortunately, a flare usually knocks you off of your usual pace. It is unlikely that you will feel like cooking until you get the flare to simmer down. It will help to have easy meals available.

You never know when a flare will strike, so be prepared. Freeze leftovers so they are ready to go. Stock some of your favorite frozen dinners. If you have nothing on hand, call for delivery.

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How To Treat Knee Inflammation

This article was co-authored by Jonathan Frank, MD. Dr. Jonathan Frank is an Orthopedic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, specializing in sports medicine and joint preservation. Dr. Franks practice focuses on minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip, and elbow. Dr. Frank holds an MD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. He is a staff team physician for the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Dr. Frank is currently a scientific reviewer for top peer-reviewed scientific journals, and his research has been presented at regional, national, and international orthopedic conferences, winning several awards including the prestigious Mark Coventry and William A Grana awards.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 72,584 times.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

How to Relieve Knee Arthritis Pain in 30 SECONDS

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation uses a machine that sends electrical impulses through sticky patches, called electrodes, attached to the skin. This may help ease the pain caused by your osteoarthritis by numbing the nerve endings in your spinal cord which control pain.

Treatment with TENS is usually arranged by a physiotherapist or doctor, who can advise you on the strength of the pulses and how long your treatment should last.

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Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms And How To Treat Them Knee Force

But, if itâs painful and/or happens with any of the other symptoms mentioned in this article, it could be a symptom of osteoarthritis of the knee.. The locking happens when a piece of the torn cartilage gets stuck in the joint, thus limiting its movement.. When all the other treatments arenât effective anymore and your quality of life has severely deteriorated, your doctor may recommend surgery.. Knee lavage/debridement.. â Persistent knee pain.â Morning stiffness on your knee, lasting 30 minutes or less.â Deteriorated quality of life due to knee problems.â Knee grinding.â Restricted knee movement.â Bone spurs on your X-rays.. Knee Osteoarthritis.

Breath In Fragrant Spices

Pleasant aromas like lavender can alter the perception of pain, studies show. Japanese researchers found that lavender reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can make you feel relaxed and less aware of pain. But lavender isnt the only pleasant aroma that works as a natural home remedy for arthritis pain relief. Korean researchers found that arthritis patients experienced less pain and were less depressed when they were exposed to the aromas of a variety of kitchen spices, including marjoram, rosemary, and peppermint. For a pain-soothing aromatherapy treatment, add a teaspoon of one of these dried herbs to a quarter-cup of olive, coconut, or vegetable oil. Take a whiff periodically. Dont miss these other soothing essential oils for arthritis pain relief.

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Exercises For Knee Oa Pain

Learn more about exercises that help with knee pain, promote knee function and reduce injury.

1. 6 Exercises for Knee OA Pain

2. Listen to Your Body

3. Mini Squat

4. Quad Stretch

5. Standing Back Leg Slide

6. Knee Strengthener Move 1

7. Knee Strengthener Move 2

8. Hamstring Stretch

9. Take Pressure Off Your Knees

Physical Activity

The Role Physical Therapy Plays In The Process

22 Home Remedies For Instant Knee Pain Relief And 16 Painkilling Tips

Physical therapy is definitely beneficial. Improving range of motion and strength in the knee are helpful, but physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis has a large focus on strengthening the hips, explains Dr. Day.

Weak hips put more pressure on the knees. If your hips are strong, when you get up from a chair or go up and down stairs your knees have less work to do.

Everyone with knee osteoarthritis should consult a physical therapist, according to Dr. Day. Not only will you be taught the right kinds of exercises, a physical therapist also provides valuable instruction about using assistive devices and modifying activities to reduce pain.

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Try Willow Bark Extract

Willow bark extract has been used as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent for long. However, there are very limited scientific studies available to support these claims.

The limited evidence suggests that willow bark contains salicin which can help lower the production of pain-inducing chemicals in osteoarthritis patients. However, since there is a lack of proper scientific research, it is best to consult your doctor before using willow bark extracts.

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