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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee?

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  • A/Prof Raphael Hau

    Orthopaedic Surgeon

    Head of Orthopaedics at Eastern Health, Raphael qualified as a doctor through University of Melbourne in 1992. He then worked in Hong Kong for a … View Profile

    There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis but there are treatments that can effectively control symptoms.1 The initial treatment of arthritis of the knee involves non-surgical options such as:

    • Use a heat pack for pain.

    • Take simple pain relievers e.g. paracetamol.

    • Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications e.g. ibuprofen

    • Lose weight if overweight or obese to reduce stress on the knee joint.

    • Switch from high impact activities such as running to lower impact activities such as swimming, cycling or Tai Chi so less stress is placed on your knees.

    • Have a structured exercise program which may include strengthening, stretching and balancing activities.

    • Use a walking stick to help avoid falling.

    • Have corticosteroid injections into the joint which may offer pain relief and reduce inflammation.

    • Have visco-supplementation injections into the joint which can help lubricate and protect the cartilage.

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