These nonoperative solutions include management of pain using medicines such as pain-relieving capsules or injections. They are aimed at providing symptomatic relief and improving the quality of life after a surgical treatment. Steroids may be short or long acting.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – These are effective in reducing pain and inflammation of the knee. A precise dose should be prescribed and taken as they are known to cause hepatotoxicity and should be taken with extreme care when patients have kidney or liver disease.
- Weak and strong opioids. Opioids may be prescribed if other treatments have intolerable side effects or do not relieve pain. Though they offer better pain relief they are known to cause side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and constipation. Overdose may lead to respiratory depression. The dose should be reduced slowly otherwise cause withdrawal effects may occur. They may addictive.
- Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents. These drugs are recommended in individuals with severe disease conditions. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs aim at halting the progression of disease and offer symptomatic relief. Biological agents are the antibodies against the disease-causing agents manufactured using genetic engineering technology.