One of the most prevalent conditions affecting countless patients of all ages is arthritis knee pain - in particular, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In spite of all discoveries in modern science, there is at present no specific cure for all types of arthritis knee pain.

While there are different exercises and physical therapy programs designed to manage pain to a certain extent, the results depend primarily on the degree of pain and the stage of arthritis present, among others.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A popular form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis or RA, which at the onset appears with joint soreness or stiffness around the feet, elbows, hands, and knees. Frequently, the stiffness will begin in both sides of the body. Eventually, the RA patient will suffer from flu and fatigue, along with pains and ache as well as inflammation of the joint.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Conversely, if pain manifests in any joint after a repetitive action, this might be indicative of another form of arthritis called Osteoarthritis or OA. For example, someone who has been an athlete for years may at some point experience severe pain in his/her knee without any evident cause. X-rays will be able to discover problems in the cartilage of the knees, which weaken the joints and inhibit them from sticking together.

Osteoarthritis often afflicts the hips, neck, fingers, and back. Swollen or misshapen fingers are indicative of osteoarthritis. In serious cases, OA patients may find it nearly impossible to perform even simple actions such as sitting down, standing up, or walking. In such cases, hip replacement surgery may be deemed necessary.

There are various risk factors for osteoarthritis. Women have a higher risk of developing OA than males. Additionally, stress, age, and obesity are also risk factors.

Arthritis Knee Pain Treatment Methods

A common method in arthritis treatment is the use of knee braces, whether off-the-shelf or custom-made. Off-the-shelf are braces that fit your knee, while custom-made types are those that are more expensive and customized to fit both your knee and your specific condition.

Though prescribed meds may help manage pain, they are rarely able to get rid of it entirely. However, new medications are being touted to curb chronic pain due to arthritis. Along with the usual medications, doctors may recommend salves and creams for oral application. NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first choice for most physicians. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are often given biologics or anti-rheumatic medications, which may be injected regularly to restore the patient's normal bodily functions.

An additional technique that has been known to effectively inhibit the progression of RA is regular knee exercises, like cycling, walking, and swimming. Regular knee exercise programs can help restore or improve the function of the joints. Such exercise programs don't need to be stressful, as even simple exercises may work wonders for the joints. Rigorous exercises that may aggravate or damage your joints should be completely avoided.

In severe cases, chemotherapy and knee surgery may be the best form of treatment. Alternative treatments such as magnetic pulse therapy and acupuncture, to name a few, have also become popular these days, owing to the numerous patients who swear to their efficiency.

Generally, if you opt to try standard or alternative treatments for arthritis knee pain, you are strongly advised to discuss your options with your physician before doing anything.