When home relief is not enough, the next steps are usually supervised physiotherapy, then injections, and surgery only for severe or mechanical problems. Cortisone has the best-known short-term effect. PRP and stem cell injections are newer options with growing but still uncertain evidence.
Overview
| Treatment | What it aims to do | How long relief may last |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | Strength, movement, load control | Long term if exercise continues |
| Cortisone injection | Calm inflammation | Weeks, sometimes a few months |
| Hyaluronic acid | Lubricate the joint | Varies; evidence weak |
| PRP injection | Use growth factors from your blood | Some trials: up to 6 to 12 months |
| Stem cell injection | Use regenerative cells to calm the joint | Early studies only |
| Surgery | Repair or replace | Years (replacement) |
Full details with sources: evidence table. Looking to avoid surgery? See alternatives to knee replacement.