All treatments must start with a full clinical examination to determine the root cause of the pathology and the list of symptoms to be treated. In order to do that, your doctor can:

• Perform a series of physical tests or imaging (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI)
• Assess the level of pain that you’re in, for example, using a 1-10 pain scale, 
• Assess the level of chronicity of your knee osteoarthritis

Stage 1: Pain is sharp and occasional but does not affect your daily activities significantly

Stage 2: Pain becomes constant, affecting daily activities; stiffness starts to occur

Stage 3: Constant, dull pain in the morning when the joint is cold

This short assessment of your condition will help your practitioner decide which treatment protocol will suit you better.