Modern Treatment Strategies for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Literature Review

Yerden Khaumet, Didar Baimanov, Almasbek Akhmetov, Ikilas Suyndikovich Moldaliyev, Azamat Seksenbayev, Independent researcher, Kuatbek Akhayev, Akylbek Ibragim, Dilshod Israilov, Abylaikhan Azhibayev

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Aliya Mukhtarovna Atepileva

2026

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)
DOI 10.52889/1684-9280-2026-77-1-jto039
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) represents a serious public health problem because of its high prevalence and associated economic and social problems. The main goal of KOA treatment is to relieve symptoms, improve joint function and enhance the patient's quality of life. Methods.A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed as the primary database. The search strategy included keywords such as ‘knee osteoarthritis’, ‘treatment’, ‘pharmacological treatment’, ‘non-pharmacological treatment’ and ‘injection therapy’. The search was limited to articles published between 2019 and 2024, with a focus on high-quality studies including randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Articles were filtered for relevance, methodological quality and full text availability. Results.Pharmacological treatments for KOA include NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, and acetaminophen, which provide short-term pain relief but may have long-term side effects. Non-pharmacological approaches such as physiotherapy, exercise, and weight management are critical to improving joint function and reducing pain. Injectable therapies, including hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), offer promising benefits, although further research is needed to confirm their long-term efficacy. Surgical interventions discussed in this article are limited to minimally invasive options, specifically arthroscopy, which is considered for severe cases when conservative reatment proves ineffective. Open surgeries, such as arthrotomy and joint replacement, were not within the scope of this review.Conclusions.Effective treatment of КОАrequires a comprehensive approach combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments with advanced therapeutic options. While traditional therapies remain fundamental, new treatments and surgical options continue to evolve, highlighting the need for ongoing research to optimise treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, management of knee osteoarthritis, pharm intervention, non-pharm intervention, physical therapy, hyaluronic acidinjections, platelet-rich plasmatherapy, total joint replacement.