Knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise stand out as the best nondrug therapies for knee osteoarthritis
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- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Physical therapy is a well-accepted treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but it’s not clear which techniques are best. A study that ranked 12 physical therapy approaches for knee osteoarthritis found that knee braces, followed by hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and exercise, topped the list for reducing pain and stiffness and improving physical function.
For the study, which was published June 18, 2025, in PLOS One, researchers reviewed data from 139 clinical trials involving a total of 9,644 people with knee osteoarthritis. In addition to knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise, the studies assessed ultrasound, lateral wedged insoles, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-level laser therapy, high-intensity laser therapy, interferential current, short-wave diathermy, Kinesio taping, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
On measures of pain, stiffness, and physical functioning, the best results were obtained with a knee brace, which reduces stress on the knee joint and provides stability. Hydrotherapy was particularly effective in improving function and pain at rest. Exercise, such as strength training, aerobic activity, yoga, and cycling, helped reduce pain and improve function. The treatments found to be least effective were ultrasound and shortwave diathermy.
Further studies are needed to evaluate combinations of therapeutic approaches.
Image: © delihayat/Getty Images
About the Author
Lynne Christensen, Staff Writer
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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