There are several treatments available for knee arthritis pain, but which one is best?

A new study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at the best methods for knee arthritis pain relief. The study reviewed more than 100 randomized trials that involved different pain-relief measures for knee arthritis, according to The New York Times. The researchers concluded that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did provide relief after three months, when they were compared with a placebo. This excluded Tylenol and Celebrex, which were the least effective methods for knee arthritis pain relief.

As it turned out, injections of corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid were more effective than any pills. However, the researchers were quick to remind readers that not everything is suited to each patient.

"The key message is that hyaluronic acid and steroid injections are more effective than drugs," lead author Dr. Raveendhara R. Bannuru, a researcher at Tufts Medical Center, said. "But all the harms and benefits need to be taken into account. I would advise people to talk to their physicians about the pros and cons, and choose the treatment appropriate for them."

If you experience arthritis pain in your knees and you're interested in seeking relief via injections, here are the basics about both types of injection the researchers studied:

Hyaluronic acid injections

Hyaluronic acid is meant to ease not only the pain of knee arthritis, but also the stiffness in the joint. The medicine is made with a naturally occurring liquid called hyaluronan, which exists in the synovial fluids around every joint in your body. Hyaluronan itself helps lubricate the joints, but if you have osteoarthritis, the supply of it in your synovial fluids is likely to be quite low. For this reason, hyaluronic acid is injected in an attempt to replace some of what has been lost.

Typically, you can expect to receive an injection every week for three to five weeks.

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections can help reduce your arthritis pain quickly. This is because they fight inflammation fast. What's more, the medication and its effects mostly stay in the joint itself. This can be useful if you have conditions that preclude you from taking anti-inflammatory medications orally. These injections can be administered in your doctor's office. You'll notice a difference immediately, as the steroids are usually mixed with a pain reliever. Inflammation will go down within a few hours, and the effects can last months.

For more on knee arthritis pain:

Knee Braces for OA
Managing Knee Pain
Knee and Hip Exercises for Arthritis