How Can I Prevent Worsening Knee Pain Caused By Arthritis?

SolarHatch Updated: 2025-09-02

Avoid activities that hurt your knee.

When you have arthritis, the last thing you want is to put extra stress on your knee. High-impact exercises like basketball, tennis, racquetball, squash, soccer, and football can cause more damage by jarring the joints.
When first starting to exercise, it is best to start slowly and increase your strength over time. That means doing two or three repetitions of an exercise every hour until you feel comfortable with it.
You can also do low-impact exercises that don't involve jumping, such as walking, swimming, and cycling; just remember to stretch after exercise.

Take anti-inflammatory medications

There are different medications to help reduce pain and inflammation. Some are available over the counter (no prescription required), while others require an official prescription from your doctor.
Commonly prescribed NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil). These medications work by relieving inflammation.

Change your sleeping position

One of the best ways to minimize knee pain due to arthritis is by changing your sleeping position. This could be as easy as switching to a different pillow for more support.
Experts say that a comfortable sleeping position is essential for your overall health and well-being. It can help relieve symptoms such as joint pain, back pain, and snoring.

Visit your doctor

If you suffer from chronic joint pain that does not go away or if the discomfort worsens, it is wise to visit a doctor. They can examine your joints and identify if there is something wrong with them, such as arthritis.
Arthritis is a condition that typically causes pain and stiffness in one or more joints. The two most prevalent types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.