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Published on: 7/15/2026

What are the common treatments for knee pain?

Knee pain treatments include medications, targeted exercises, injections, and, in some cases, surgery. These options work to reduce pain, restore mobility, and strengthen the knee joint.

Common treatments for knee pain:

  • Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) or prescription anti-inflammatories
  • Exercise & physical therapy: Strengthening and stretching routines to support the knee
  • Injections: Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for inflammation and lubrication
  • Surgery: Arthroscopy, partial repairs, or knee replacement for severe cases

The right treatment depends on the underlying cause—whether it's arthritis, a ligament injury, overuse, or something else. Because knee pain has many possible causes, guessing wrong can delay relief and worsen the problem. Before committing to a treatment path, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your knee pain and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

There are many ways to help a sore knee feel better. One common method is to use medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These help lower pain and swelling. Another option is physical therapy. A physical therapist can show you fun exercises to make the muscles around the knee stronger. Health experts also suggest using stretching and gentle workouts like walking or swimming. Sometimes, doctors may use injection treatments. Corticosteroid injections can help reduce pain, and other injections may help the knee move better. In cases where the pain is long-lasting and other treatments do not work well, surgery might be needed. This can include procedures to fix or replace part of the knee. For people with knee osteoarthritis, there are special slow-acting medicines that may help the knee last longer. Choosing a treatment depends on the pain, how the knee works, and the overall health of the person. If you're experiencing knee discomfort and want to better understand your symptoms, try our free AI symptom checker to help guide your next steps, then talk with a healthcare professional to decide which treatment is right for you.

(References)

  • Lundgren-Nilsson Å, Dencker A, Palstam A, Person G, Horton MC, Escorpizo R, Küçükdeveci AA, Kutlay S, Elhan AH, Stucki G, Tennant A, Conaghan PG. Patient-reported outcome measures in osteoarthritis: a systematic search and review of their use and psychometric properties. RMD Open. 2018 Dec 16;4(2):e000715. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000715. PMID: 30622735; PMCID: PMC6307597.

  • Vanneste T, Belba A, Oei GTML, Emans P, Fonkoue L, Kallewaard JW, Kapural L, Peng P, Sommer M, Vanneste B, Cohen SP, Van Zundert J. 9. Chronic knee pain. Pain Pract. 2025 Jan;25(1):e13408. doi: 10.1111/papr.13408. Epub 2024 Sep 1. PMID: 39219017; PMCID: PMC11680467.

  • Lane NE, Simon LS, Tambiah J. Slow acting medications for progressive and painful knee osteoarthritis. How do we assess the benefit to risk of these potentially novel therapies? Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2024 Nov 27;7(1):100546. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100546. PMID: 39737142; PMCID: PMC11683324.

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