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Knee Arthritis Breakthrough: Simple Therapies Outperform High-Tech Options for Pain Relief
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For adults over 40, knee arthritis, affecting nearly 25%, can significantly impair mobility due to cartilage breakdown, leading to pain and stiffness.While medications offer relief, a recent meta-analysis of 12 non-drug treatments involving nearly 10,000 patients reveals that accessible options like knee bracing and hydrotherapy surpass high-tech solutions such as ultrasound in effectiveness for knee arthritis [1].
The Power of Simple Knee Arthritis Treatments
The study, published in plos One, analyzed 139 trials to evaluate various non-drug treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Xiao Chen and colleagues at the First People’s Hospital of Neijiang, China, highlighted that these straightforward interventions reduce pain and improve mobility without the gut or heart-related risks associated with many pain medications.
Did You Know? Knee braces provide support, limit excessive motion, enhance alignment, and reduce joint swelling, leading to improved pain relief and functionality.
Besides knee bracing and hydrotherapy, the evaluated treatments included exercises like walking, insoles, kinesiology tape, laser therapy (both low and high-level), electrical stimulation (interferential current therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), electromagnetic energy, ultrasound therapy, and extracorporeal shock-wave therapy.
The systematic evaluation focused on improvements in function, pain relief, and stiffness reduction. Knee braces emerged as the most promising technique, followed by hydrotherapy and exercise.
| Treatment | Effectiveness | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Bracing | Highest | Provides support, limits motion, enhances alignment |
| Hydrotherapy | High | Eases pain, reduces stress on joints |
| Exercise | High | Improves pain and physical function |
| Ultrasound | Low | Limited impact on knee joint functions |
Why Knee Braces and Hydrotherapy Excel
According to Eric Holder, MD, assistant professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, knee braces offer support, limit excessive motion, and enhance alignment, improving pain, stiffness, and functionality. They also increase awareness of knee positioning and movement patterns.
Hydrotherapy, or water-based exercise, is especially effective due to the buoyancy reducing stress on the joints and the warm temperatures promoting muscle relaxation. Exercise, in general, conditions the muscles supporting the knee joint, increases blood supply, and promotes healthy fluid exchange [2].
Pro Tip: Regular low-impact exercises like walking, stretching, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, yoga, and tai Chi can significantly improve knee arthritis symptoms.
Laser and Shock-Wave Therapies
The study also highlighted the therapeutic effects of both high- and low-energy laser therapies, with high-energy being more effective. extracorporeal shock-wave therapy also showed promise in alleviating pain. These treatments stimulate blood flow, decrease swelling, and improve mobility, promoting healing and tissue restoration [3].
The Downside of Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy ranked lowest in terms of benefit, with the scientists
