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If knee arthritis is making walking difficult, combine immediate mobility support with a longer-term plan: have a clinician or physiotherapist assess you, consider a correctly fitted cane, begin tailored strengthening and aerobic exercise, and discuss pain relief. Seek prompt medical assessment for a hot, markedly swollen knee, rapidly worsening symptoms, a recent injury, or unusual stiffness or deformity.
Osteoarthritis commonly causes pain and stiffness during walking; hills and stairs can be particularly challenging. The most effective approach is usually not one product or pill, but coordinated exercise, pacing, suitable weight management when relevant, safe walking aids and carefully selected medication.
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Check whether you need urgent assessment
Arrange urgent medical advice rather than trying to manage the problem alone if the knee is hot and swollen, pain or swelling is worsening quickly, or symptoms followed a significant injury. Prolonged morning stiffness, a new or rapidly developing deformity, fever or feeling systemically unwell, or symptoms that do not fit your usual arthritis pattern also deserve clinical assessment. These features can have causes other than routine osteoarthritis, including infection or injury.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCall emergency services for a medical emergency such as collapse, severe trauma with an obviously deformed limb, or inability to move the leg with severe pain. An article cannot diagnose the cause of a hot or swollen joint; a clinician must examine it.
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What to do in the next few days
Reduce aggravating loads without becoming completely inactive
Temporarily shorten walks, avoid repeated stairs or steep hills, and break errands into smaller trips. Alternate activity with brief rests and use a chair when preparing food or showering. Complete inactivity can increase weakness and make walking harder, so keep moving within tolerable limits while arranging professional advice.
Use a simple symptom log
For several days, note where pain occurs, how far you can walk, whether stairs or hills trigger it, swelling, morning stiffness and what helps. Record any medication, including over-the-counter products. This gives a physiotherapist, pharmacist or doctor specific information for tailoring treatment.
Review your footwear and route
Choose secure, comfortable shoes with a stable sole. Plan flatter, shorter routes, use handrails on stairs and remove trip hazards at home. These measures do not treat arthritis itself, but they can reduce the immediate risk of a painful misstep.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesConsider a cane or stick for safer mobility
NICE recommends considering walking aids such as sticks for people with lower-limb osteoarthritis. NHS guidance says a cane is generally held in the hand opposite the affected leg. If your right knee hurts, start by holding the cane on the left; for a painful left knee, use the right hand. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can check the height, tip, hand position and walking pattern.
How to use a cane
- Stand upright in your usual shoes. Adjust the handle so your elbow is slightly bent, rather than locked, when the tip rests on the floor.
- Place the cane on the side opposite the more painful knee and keep it close enough to support you without leaning your trunk sharply.
- Move the cane and the affected leg forward together, then step through with the stronger leg. Use a shorter stride if pain or balance is limiting you.
- On stairs, use a handrail when available. A commonly taught sequence is “up with the good, down with the bad”: step up first with the stronger leg and down first with the affected leg, taking the cane as instructed by your therapist.
- Practise on level ground near a stable support before using the cane outdoors. Stop if it causes wrist, shoulder or back pain, or if your balance becomes less secure.
A cane is a mobility aid, not proof that surgery is needed. It may improve confidence, balance and function, but the evidence for pain and quality-of-life benefit is limited: the NICE evidence review describes one study of a T-shaped cane versus no device, with a clinically important benefit at less than three months. That single study does not predict the exact amount of relief any individual will get.
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- WALKING CANE FOR MEN OR WOMEN is both lightweight and durable. Cane weighs only 12 ounces but can support up to 250 pounds with a slip resistance tip for durability helping to prevent slips and falls
- ADJUSTABLE WALKING CANE adjusts from 30-39 inches in 1 inch increments. The locking ring stops the cane from rattling and ensures it stays in place after adjusting
- CANE WITH ERGONOMIC SOFT OFFSET HANDLE AND WRIST STRAP help to secure the cane to avoid drops making it comfortable to grip even for long periods, helping to reduce hand fatigue and soreness
- WALKING STICK improves mobility by evenly distributing weight while building strength and confidence
- CANE SPECS: Adjusts from 30-39 Inches in 1 inch increment and supports up to 250 Pounds weighing only 12 ounces. Includes cane tip and wrist strap
| Option | When it may help | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| No aid | Short, steady walks when balance and pain are manageable | Do not force distance if your gait becomes unsafe or pain escalates quickly. |
| Cane or stick | Extra support for balance, confidence or reduced load on one knee | Needs correct side, height and technique; professional fitting is preferable. |
| Other walking aid | More support when a cane is insufficient | Ask a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to select and train you on the device. |
Make tailored exercise the foundation of treatment
NICE says to offer therapeutic exercise tailored to each person, including local muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness. Strengthening the muscles around the knee and hip can make everyday tasks more manageable, while appropriately dosed aerobic activity supports general fitness. A physiotherapist can adapt exercises for pain, weakness, balance, other joints and your home equipment.
What a starter programme may include
- Strength work for the thigh, hip and buttock muscles, progressed gradually rather than performed to exhaustion.
- Low-impact aerobic activity such as walking on a level surface, cycling or water exercise, selected according to your balance and other medical conditions.
- Mobility and flexibility movements that address stiffness without forcing the knee into painful ranges.
- Functional practice, such as sit-to-stand or step work, when stairs and rising from a chair are specific problems.
Pain can rise when therapeutic exercise begins. Consistent participation over time can improve pain, function and quality of life, but “no pain, no gain” is not an appropriate rule. Do not push through severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, a new injury or a major change in your walking pattern. Reduce the dose and seek advice if symptoms do not settle as expected.
When supervision is worthwhile
NICE says supervised sessions may be considered. They are particularly useful if you are unsure how to move, have significant weakness, fear falling, have tried exercises without progress or need accountability. NHS guidance describes physiotherapists and occupational therapists as sources of specialist help with mobility and devices.
Address weight only if it is relevant to you
For people with osteoarthritis who are living with overweight or obesity, NICE says weight loss can improve quality of life and physical function and reduce pain. Any amount may help, and the guideline states that losing 10% of body weight is likely to be more beneficial than losing 5%. This is not a universal requirement for treatment, nor a reason to delay exercise or pain care. A clinician or dietitian can help set a realistic plan that accounts for mobility limits, medications and other conditions.
Choose pain medicines with a clinician or pharmacist
Topical NSAID
NICE recommends offering a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for knee osteoarthritis. A gel or cream is applied to the painful area according to its product instructions. Ask a pharmacist or clinician whether it is suitable, especially if you have medication allergies, skin problems, kidney disease, stomach ulcer history, cardiovascular disease, are pregnant, or take other medicines.
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- Pivoting Tip: The 4-pronged rotating base with non-slip rubber foot pads offers exceptional stability. The pivoting tip provides excellent traction on all surfaces and make the cane reliable on any terrains.
- Self-Standing: Rehand all terrain pivot quad cane uses a self-standing design, which allows you to easily rest it upright and no longer lean it against the wall whenever you need a break.
- Easy on The Go: Being constructed with durable & lightweight aluminum frame, with a collapsible design, this walking stick can be wrapped up in seconds and easily can be fitted into a briefcase, wheelchair bag, or even purse. A premium hook & loop fastener tape on the cane shaft comes as standard, which can be used to tie up the cane conveniently. All thoughtful designs make carrying and storage no headache anymore
- Up To 8 Adjustable Height: Rehand adjustable cane fits for people from 5'(152cm) to 6'5''(195cm). 8 adjustable height with one-inch increments makes almost all seniors, elderly and injured persons can easily adjust the cane to proper height fitting user's height. The adjusting range of walking stick itself is from 2'7'' (78cm) to 3'2'' (96cm)
Oral NSAID
If a topical NSAID is ineffective or unsuitable, an oral NSAID may be considered. The decision should account for gastrointestinal, kidney, liver and cardiovascular toxicity and your individual risk factors. NICE recommends gastroprotective treatment, such as a proton-pump inhibitor, while a person with osteoarthritis is taking an NSAID when clinically appropriate. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and do not combine NSAIDs unless a prescriber specifically tells you to.
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Paracetamol and opioids
NICE does not recommend routinely offering paracetamol or weak opioids for osteoarthritis. They may be considered for infrequent, short-term pain relief when other pharmacological treatments are contraindicated, not tolerated or ineffective, but there is no strong evidence of benefit for routine paracetamol use. Opioids also bring risks such as drowsiness, constipation, dependence and falls; discuss alternatives and duration with a prescriber.
Medication works best alongside exercise, pacing and other non-drug care. Never assume that a product sold without a prescription is safe with your existing medicines or illnesses.
Do not buy braces, insoles or supports by default
NICE does not recommend routinely offering insoles, braces, tape, splints or other supports. They may be considered when there is joint instability or abnormal biomechanical loading, exercise is ineffective or unsuitable without the device, and the device is likely to improve movement and function. Incorrectly fitted devices can cause blisters, pressure damage, discomfort or reduced movement. Get an assessment before spending money on a support marketed as a universal arthritis solution.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know when to request a fuller treatment review
Book a routine appointment if walking remains restricted despite a sensible programme of exercise, appropriate weight management when relevant, mobility support and pain relief. Bring your symptom log and a complete medication list. The clinician may review the diagnosis, examine your gait and strength, check for another cause of pain and arrange therapy or other investigations when indicated.
Rank #4
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Discuss joint-replacement referral when quality of life is substantially affected
NICE says to consider referral for joint-replacement assessment when osteoarthritis symptoms substantially affect quality of life and non-surgical management—such as exercise, weight management or pain relief—is ineffective or unsuitable. Referral should follow clinical assessment. NICE says not to exclude people solely because of age, sex or gender, smoking, other medical conditions or overweight/obesity measured by body-mass index.
Referral is an assessment, not a promise that surgery will occur. The specialist considers your symptoms, examination, functional limitations, risks, expectations and alternatives.
Digital support: useful only within its limits
NICE’s early value assessment, published on 22 January 2026, allows eight named digital technologies—getUBetter, Good Boost, Hinge Health, Joint Academy, Phio Engage, re.flex, Sword Thrive and TrackActive Me—to be used in the NHS during an evidence-generation period for adults with mild to moderate hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms, subject to evidence-generation and regulatory conditions. This is not blanket endorsement, does not establish availability in every country or health system, and does not replace assessment for a hot swollen joint, rapid deterioration or another atypical feature.
If you consider an app or remote programme, verify its country availability, clinical scope, regulatory status, referral arrangements, privacy terms and whether a qualified professional reviews your progress. Digital coaching should complement, not delay, appropriate in-person care.
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Quick Recap
A practical sequence to follow
- Screen for urgent or atypical symptoms and seek prompt assessment if any are present.
- Arrange a clinician, physiotherapist or occupational-therapist review if walking is unsafe, markedly limited or getting worse.
- Use a correctly fitted cane on the opposite side of the painful knee when extra support is needed.
- Start or modify a tailored strengthening and aerobic programme; consider supervised sessions if you need instruction or support.
- Discuss a topical NSAID first and any oral NSAID, gastroprotection or alternatives with a pharmacist or clinician.
- Consider weight-management support if you are living with overweight or obesity, without treating weight loss as a prerequisite for care.
- Reassess your function and quality of life after a consistent trial of non-surgical care; discuss joint-replacement assessment if substantial limitations persist.
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