Try supportive and pain-alleviating measures. You might wear an ace bandage or elastic sleeve to reduce swelling and give support. Keep the knee elevated when you can and sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees. If it's practical, you should rest and avoid things that make the pain worse, particularly weight-bearing activities. You can also apply a bag or towel of ice to the knee once an hour for up to 15 minutes. After the first day, apply the ice at least four times a day.

You might try supplements. Big studies are underway on whether the dietary supplements glucosamine or chondroitin or the two together can cut down the pain and disability of osteoarthritis, a major cause of knee pain, particularly for people older than 50. But many people with joint pain aren't waiting for the studies. They take these supplements and swear by them. The supplements are in drug or grocery stores.

If you can get into a pool or other swimming area, walk an exaggerated goose step in chest deep water, bending your knees up toward the chest. Twenty minutes of this three times a week is great for strengthening the muscles and moving out built-up toxins, says Dr. Russell. It can also be preventative.

When to Get Help

The National Institutes of Health says it's time to go to a doctor when...

• you cannot bear weight on your knee,
• you have severe pain even when not bearing weight,
• you have pain after three days of home treatment,
• your knee buckles, clicks or locks,
• your knee is deformed or misshapen, has redness, warmth or significant swelling, or the calf below the knee has pain, swelling, numbness, tingling or bluish discoloration.

Don't be so silly as to delay seeing a doctor under these circumstances. Just because your dad dealt with a touch of arthritis for years doesn't mean that's what's going on with you. The long list of causes of knee pain includes inflammation, build-up of fluid behind the knee, or strains and injuries to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage or padding. Knee pain can even be transferred pain from the hip or elsewhere. It takes a physician, often a specialist, to figure it out.

Sometimes medical professionals can do things fairly easily to cut down on the pain and keep things from getting worse. You might be taught exercises, referred to a physical therapist, or given shots or prescription medication.

Find Out More

You Can Get more information from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders, online at: www.niams.nih.gov