[Conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis]

The management of knee osteoarthritis requires a combination of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities. Non-pharmacological therapies include patient education, lifestyle modification, weight reduction, regular exercise, physiotherapy and the use of orthopaedic appliances (canes, insoles, braces). Pharmacological treatment includes the application of non-opioid or opioid analgetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or coxibes and intra-articular glucocorticoids. Glucosamin, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid are safe and provide symptomatic relief while their therapeutic effects remain uncertain.