Pain Relief for Knee Arthritis
Osteoarthritis in the knee is very common, especially as we get older, typically causing achy pain, mild swelling and stiffness after inactivity. Many people reach for a bottle of pills, mostly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen [Motrin®, Advil®] or naproxen [Aleve®]), to relieve symptoms. While you can take pain-relieving drugs, they should be used cautiously and only as one part of a more comprehensive approach. “Each person is unique, so we have to formulate an individualized treatment plan,” says Cleveland Clinic sports medicine physician Carly Day, MD.
