Different methods of treatment are used for different causes of knee pain and it is impossible to say exactly which treatment is best.
Knee pain caused by overexertion requires no specific treatment and can be relieved by rest; traumatic knee pain is mainly treated with braking followed by appropriate functional exercises; gouty knee arthritis is mainly treated with medication. Osteoarthritis of the knee is mainly treated with medication, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics; in severe cases, surgery is required. Rheumatoid knee osteoarthritis is mainly treated with medication, including NSAIDs, slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids, etc.; severe cases require surgery.