Nearly 10,000 patients reveal what works best for knee arthritis pain relief — SkimNews
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- Researchers led by Yuan Luo of the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, China, published a network meta-analysis in PLOS One comparing 12 non-drug treatments for knee osteoarthritis across 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people.
- Knee braces ranked highest overall across measures of pain reduction, stiffness relief, and mobility improvement among the 12 therapies evaluated.
- Hydrotherapy and regular exercise produced consistent benefits — water-based therapy was especially effective for pain, while exercise improved both pain and physical function.
- Ultrasound repeatedly ranked near the bottom of the treatment comparisons, while high-intensity laser therapy and shock wave therapy showed promise in certain areas.
- The authors concluded the physical therapies could serve as useful alternatives to anti-inflammatory medications, which carry gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks for the millions of older adults with knee osteoarthritis.
- The researchers cautioned the rankings are not definitive, noting that the 139 studies varied in design, some involved small participant groups, and treatment durations differed considerably.
- Future research will investigate whether combining treatments produces better results and which approaches offer the greatest benefits relative to their cost.
Why it matters: For the millions of older adults living with knee osteoarthritis, this 10,000-patient analysis gives clinicians evidence to prioritize low-cost drug-free options — knee braces, hydrotherapy, exercise — over ultrasound and other high-tech interventions, potentially reducing reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs linked to gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks.
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