Knee Osteoarthritis BEST Treatments (Non-operative)

By dpope2020

May 2, 2025

arthritis, arthritis in knee, dan pope, dr. david middaugh, el paso manual physical therapy, fitness pain free, fitnesspainfree, Knee, knee arthritis, knee arthritis exercises, knee arthritis physical therapy, knee exercises, knee exercises for arthritis, knee osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis exercises, knee osteoarthritis treatment, knee pain, knee pain relief, osteoarthritis, physical therapy, quad exercises for knee arthritis, thigh exercises for knee arthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis BEST Treatments (Non-operative)

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In today's video we go over: Knee Osteoarthritis BEST Treatments (Non-operative) - FPF Show Episode 169

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:23 Is non-operative physical therapy treatment effective for knee arthritis?
  • 9:57 Are most healthcare providers giving good advice to patients with knee arthritis?
  • 23:15 Are shoe insoles helpful for patients with knee arthritis?
  • 23:59 Are topical steroids like voltaren gel helpful for knee arthritis?
  • 24:51 What does the literature say about exercise? Does exercise need to be delivered in a physical therapy setting? 
  • 25:11 Is patient education important for patients with knee arthritis?
  • 25:28 Are oral NSAIDs helpful in patients with knee arthritis?
  • 25:33 is Tylenol (Acetaminophen) helpful in treating knee arthritis?
  • 26:48 Are canes helpful in patients with knee arthritis?
  • 27:14 Are braces helpful in patients with knee arthritis?
  • 28:12 is hyaluronic acid effective for treating patients with knee arthritis?
  • 28:25 Are intra-articular corticosteroid injections effective for treating patients with knee arthritis?
  • 30:00 Are supplements supported in the treatment of knee arthritis?
  • 31:25 Is manual therapy an effective treatment for knee arthritis?
  • 31:38 Is laser treatment or acupuncture effective as a treatment for knee arthritis?
  • 33:25 TENs, PRP and shockwave therapy for treating knee arthritis
  • 36:05 What common treatments have a LACK of evidence supporting its use for knee arthritis?
  • 38:14 Common limiting beliefs in patients with knee arthritis
  • 47:28 Is exercise effective in patients with knee arthritis?
  • 49:03 What types of exercise are best in patients with knee arthritis?
  • 54:09 How diet and nutrition effects knee arthritis and how to bring it up with patients
  • 1:05:44 What Physical Therapists Need to Know About Meniscus Injuries

Uncle Arthur go away!

- Dan Pope DPT,OCS,CSCS

Show Notes / Relevant Articles:

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Thank you!

Dan Pope DPT, OCS, CSCS

References: 

  1. Dantas LO, Salvini TF, McAlindon TE. Knee osteoarthritis: key treatments and implications for physical therapy. Braz J Phys Ther. 2021 Mar-Apr;25(2):135-146. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.08.004. Epub 2020 Sep 8. PMID: 33262080; PMCID: PMC7990728.

  2. Skou ST, Roos EM. Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D™): evidence-based education and supervised neuromuscular exercise delivered by certified physiotherapists nationwide. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 Feb 7;18(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s12891-017-1439-y. PMID: 28173795; PMCID: PMC5297181.

  3. Juhl C, Christensen R, Roos EM, Zhang W, Lund H. Impact of exercise type and dose on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014 Mar;66(3):622-36. doi: 10.1002/art.38290. PMID: 24574223.

  4. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee (NonArthroplasty) Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. https://www.aaos.org/oak3cpg Published 08/31/2021  

  5. Darlow B, Belton J, Brown M, Clark J, Richards DP, Simick Behera N, Bunzli S. Making sense of osteoarthritis: A narrative review. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2025 Jan;33(1):17-26. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2024.09.012. Epub 2024 Oct 9. PMID: 39384031.

  6. Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement. Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 Mar;48(3):543-68. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000852. Erratum in: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 Jan;49(1):222. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001162. PMID: 26891166.

  7. U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 (9th ed.). https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf