New Research Points to Simpler Knee Pain Treatment

Knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 14 million Americans and can bring pain, stiffness, and swelling. A meta-analysis in PLOS One examined 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people and compared 12 therapies, including braces, exercise, water-based treatment, insoles, tape, electric stimulation, and ultrasound.

Knee braces ranked highest overall because they eased pain and stiffness while supporting joint function. Warm-water exercise performed especially well for pain, and regular movement improved pain and physical ability. More complex options, including high-intensity laser and shock wave treatments, produced only moderate gains, while ultrasound repeatedly ranked lowest. The findings also support low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, resistance work, and yoga; a separate analysis published in The BMJ in 2025 found aerobic exercise improved pain, knee function, and quality of life after 12 weeks.

Doctors described several reasons braces may help, including improving awareness of knee position and reducing force on arthritic areas. Compression sleeves may also help with warmth, swelling, and discomfort. Medication can help some people, while injections such as hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma may be useful for some patients. The overall approach described by the researchers and clinicians begins with simpler, non-operative options—such as movement, a brace, or occasional anti-inflammatory medicine—before considering more involved treatment if needed.