For many kinds of knee pain, common sense ideas provide the best relief. Knee pain can often be alleviated by following the RICE principles:

• Rest the knee.
• Ice the joint.
• Compress the knee with an elastic brace.
• Elevate the knee.

Sometimes the acronym PRICE is used, when “protect the knee” is considered the first principle.

For mild arthritis and some other forms of knee pain, the physician may recommend analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). An NSAID gel applied to the knee can avert the stomach upset that oral NSAIDs may cause.

Corticosteroid injections may help alleviate some knee pain, but in some cases, repeated injections can damage the joint. For certain sprains and tears, immobilizing the knee can help the tear heal.

Other relief options may include:

• Physical therapy. This usually concentrates on strengthening the surrounding muscles to support the knee better. Leg raises and extensions may be used. Activities that limit impact on the knee, such as walking, swimming and water aerobics, may also be part of a physical therapy regimen.
  
  
• Modalities. Numerous physical agents can be used in treating knee pain. Some can be used by the patient at home, and others are applied by a physical therapist or other healthcare professional. Modalities include:
  
  
• Thermotherapy (heat), such as ultrasound therapy
• Cryotherapy (cold)
• Hydrotherapy (water)
• Electrical therapy, such as TENS
  
  
• Acupuncture. The insertion of needles at certain points on the body to promote healing. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health indicated that acupuncture can provide relief from knee pain for osteoarthritis patients.
  
  
• Arthroscopy. This optical fiber instrument can be used for identification and treatment of knee pain. For treatment, special instruments are inserted through small incisions with the arthroscope to remove loose bodies, repair torn cartilage or ligaments or shave off small pieces of bone. A local, regional or general anesthetic may be used for arthroscopy.
  
  
• Open surgery. Complicated knee injuries or deterioration may require an open surgical procedure. Sometimes ligaments, usually the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are replaced with another ligament or tendon from the leg or from a donor. To avoid the need for replacing ruptured ligaments and to improve function, researchers are studying methods of repairing ACL tears through means such as arthroscopically stitching the torn ends together and introducing a collagen gel scaffold at the site to promote healing.

In other cases, joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is used when the knee has degenerated, usually from osteoarthritis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved an artificial knee designed to fit women, who receive the majority of knee implants.