Osteoarthritis knee treatment

The prognosis for people with knee osteoarthritis isn't so bleak as it might seem in the wake of a study finding that arthroscopic surgery, once hailed as promising, might not be the best option. The study, published in the Sept. 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, "suggested that people who underwent the surgery didn't fare any better in the long run than their counterparts who received physical therapy. The trick is to find one or more treatments -- amid the array that includes medication and physical therapy -- that can ease the pain of worn cartilage. For instance, one knee surgeon gives patients "a list of 17 options to help them manage their condition. At the very bottom is arthroscopy." Some experts say "oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Celebrex (celecoxib), can reduce inflammation and pain, as can cortisone injections." Others recommend acupuncture and massage. Still, others advise patients to exercise -- walking, swimming, and water workouts -- because physical activity can produce "some long-lasting effects."