AARP has highlighted a study indicating that more than 70 percent of adults aged 50 and older experience joint pain from arthritis, with knee pain being particularly prevalent among this group. The study identifies three nondrug treatments that can help alleviate knee osteoarthritis pain: knee braces, water therapy (also known as hydrotherapy), and traditional exercise.
David A. Wang, MD, a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), expressed no surprise that these methods were effective according to the meta-analysis conducted by researchers. He noted that “they all put less pressure on the knee, which can ease pain and improve function.” However, he cautioned that “there’s no one-size-fits-all for arthritis,” emphasizing that what works for some may not work for others.
Wang also pointed out the limitations of current treatments, noting that there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis other than undergoing a total knee replacement. For individuals seeking to avoid or delay surgery, symptom management remains the primary approach.
For further details on the study and its findings, readers are encouraged to visit AARP.org.