As the first line of treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain, doctors commonly recommend over-the-counter painkillers, like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Steroid injections are a secondary therapy, recommended if a patient isn’t getting adequate relief with oral painkillers.

Unfortunately, these medications do nothing to improve knee mobility and strength. Nor do they protect joints from wear-and-tear damage that can lead to joint replacement surgery sooner rather than later. The pain relief NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) provide is meant for short-term use. Long-term, repeated doses can increase the risk of side effects such as stomach bleeding or liver or kidney problems

Hyaluronic acid therapies directly target osteoarthritis in the knee joint. These therapies replenish the shock-absorbing properties of the lost synovial fluid, safely relieving knee pain