What is Osteoarthritis of the knee generally treated?

General treatment for OA of the knee
There are numerous ways to treat OA of the knee, depending on the severity of the disease when your doctor first diagnoses it. Treatments include:

  • Over-the-counter medications for pain
    • Aspirin
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil®)
    • Naproxen (Aleve®)
  • Topical pain medications
  • Prescription medications for pain
  • Assistive devices such as canes or braces
  • Heat or cold application
  • Exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Physical therapy
  • Cortisone (steroid) injections
  • Hyaluronan (hi-al-yur-ON-an) injections (hyaluronan, also called hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate, is a natural substance found in a healthy knee joint)
  • Total knee-replacement surgery or partial knee-replacement surgery
Artist's depiction of a knee with moderate-to-severe OA. Over time, cartilage and synovial fluid in the knee joint break down, causing pain and swelling. But knee OA is manageable.
Only your doctor can tell if you have OA of the knee. Together, you and your doctor can choose the treatments that are best for you.

*Please consult your physician prior to beginning any treatment regimen.
Tylenol is a registered trademark of McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
Advil is a registered trademark of Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.
Aleve is a registered trademark of B-R LLC.
 euflexxa® success story from Oylmpic Hero, Bruce Jenner

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Important Treatment Consideration

euflexxa® (1% sodium hyaluronate) is indicated for the treatment of knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). It is used in people who have failed to get adequate pain relief either from simple pain medications, such as acetaminophen, or from exercise and/or physical therapy.

euflexxa® should not be used in people who have had any previous allergic reaction to hyaluronate preparations or who have knee joint infections or skin diseases in the area of the injection site.

In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial, the only adverse event reported with euflexxa® at an incidence greater than 5% was arthralgia (joint pain) (8.75%). Temporary knee pain and swelling may occur after injection with euflexxa®.

The safety and effectiveness of injecting euflexxa® into the knee together with other injectable medications or into joints other than the knee have not been studied. The safety and effectiveness of treatment cycles of fewer than 3 injections or of repeated treatment cycles with euflexxa® have not been established. Strict aseptic technique must be followed to avoid joint infection.