Knee Pain Relief, Without Drugs

Drug-free pain support for a sore knee, whether discomfort shows up on stairs or after a busy day.

ActiPatch® is a drug-free wearable, FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234) for over-the-counter (OTC) adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It offers up to 720 therapy hours and can be used alongside other care for musculoskeletal pain associated with knee pain. Results vary; it does not treat the underlying condition.

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Illustrative composite: man walking down garden steps with the ActiPatch loop and control unit taped over his thin trousers at the front of the knee
Taking the stairs with the ActiPatch® loop taped over thin trousers at the front of the knee.

A Painful Knee Is Not a Diagnosis

Pain around the kneecap or along one side of the knee can make everyday steps feel less straightforward. Overuse, injury, and osteoarthritis are different possibilities, not interchangeable diagnoses. Note where it hurts and whether the knee swells, locks, or gives way when you speak with a clinician.

A Wearable Option for Knee Pain

ActiPatch® offers adjunctive musculoskeletal pain relief at the painful knee area. It can be used alongside your current care, but does not diagnose a knee problem or address an injured ligament or cartilage. The knee osteoarthritis trial discussed below should not be taken as evidence for every cause of knee pain.

Drug-free adjunct for knee pain.
Placement matched to the front, inner, or outer knee
Hands-free therapy during ordinary daily activities

Follow Your Knee Pain Pattern

1

Getting started

Identify the painful area and note discomfort during a familiar task, such as taking stairs.

2

With regular use

Compare pain during the same task and check that knee bending has not shifted the loop.

3

At 7 days

If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor. Do not wait to seek care for a hot, swollen knee or inability to bear weight.

Individual responses and timing vary; relief is not guaranteed.

Where to Place It

Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Keep the loop close to the skin and avoid thick layers between the device and skin. Follow the package insert for positioning.

  • Front of the knee around the painful kneecap area
  • Inner side of the knee if that is the sore spot
  • Outer side of the knee if discomfort is concentrated there

Follow the package insert to secure the loop with the included tape or a wrap. Check alignment after bending your knee, and avoid open wounds or a thick brace between the loop and skin.

Technology and Evidence

ActiPatch® is a self-contained wearable that uses pulsed shortwave therapy for drug-free pain support, with no noticeable heat or tingling sensation from the device. There are no electrode pads or wires to connect. FDA 510(k) K192234 clears ActiPatch® for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Read the evidence below and the science overview for study limits and technical details.

From the evidence library

What does the evidence show?

ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. These counts cover selected ActiPatch® clinical publications, not laboratory studies or studies of other devices. Study conditions and protocols differ, and individual results vary.

Published records
6
Each paper counted once
Randomized controlled trials
3
Library design label: RCT
Publication years
2012–2021
Earliest to latest record
What do clearance and research tell us?

FDA clearance identifies the device's permitted use; it is not an endorsement or a guarantee of results. These pain trials do not establish improved circulation, tissue repair, or reduced inflammation as ActiPatch® outcomes.

Read the FDA clearance record (opens in a new tab)

How soon might I notice a difference?

Individual experiences vary. Many people report noticing relief within a few hours; for some, it can take up to four days of consistent wear. Keep following the package directions and do not change medications or prescribed care without speaking with your healthcare provider.

RCT2016 · Rheumatology (Oxford)

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Bagnato GL, Miceli G, Marino N, Sciortino D, Bagnato GF

In a four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ActiPatch® trial in knee osteoarthritis, 66 people were randomized and 60 completed the study. The investigators reported improvements in pain and physical function compared with placebo. Participants wore the device 12 hours a day.

Read the source publication(opens in a new tab)
RCT2012 · Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Pulsed Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Therapy: A Potential Novel Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Brook J, Dauphinee DM, Korpinen J, Rawe IM

A seven-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied nightly use for plantar fasciitis. Among 70 participants who completed the study, the active-treatment group reported a greater reduction in morning pain than the placebo group.

Read the source publication(opens in a new tab)

Evidence describes study results, not a promise of the same result for everyone. This is not medical advice.

Explore the full evidence library

Give your knee pain a clear description

Point to where it hurts: around the kneecap, on either side, or behind the knee. Then note when it happens, such as on stairs or when standing after sitting. Mention clicking or swelling too. A clinician can use that pattern to guide an assessment; the location alone does not tell you what is wrong.

Not every sore knee is arthritis

Repeated stress on the knee, a strain after activity, and osteoarthritis can all contribute to pain. Osteoarthritis involves changes in joint tissues, including cartilage, the cushioning surface at the ends of bones. A new injury needs its own assessment. ActiPatch® is an additional pain-relief option, not a way to diagnose or change a joint condition.

When a painful knee needs prompt care

Get prompt medical care after a major twist or fall, or if your knee is very swollen, hot, visibly misshapen, or cannot bear weight. Fever with a painful, swollen knee also needs assessment. If discomfort gradually worsens or keeps returning, arrange an appointment to discuss the cause and an appropriate care plan.

Match placement to the painful spot

Center the loop over the area that hurts, whether that is the front, inner, or outer knee, following the supplied instructions. Keep it off broken skin. Placement is for pain relief, not ligament or cartilage repair. If the painful area changes, seek clinical advice rather than assuming the same knee problem has moved.

Check placement as your knee bends

After walking or taking stairs, check that the loop still covers the painful area. Secure it on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or over thin leggings. Keep the loop close to the skin and avoid a thick brace or several clothing layers underneath. Keep it dry and remove before bathing or swimming.

What does the published evidence say?

Bagnato and colleagues' 2016 study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial in people with knee osteoarthritis. Participants were assigned by chance to active or sham therapy, and neither participants nor assessors knew the assignment. Sham means an inactive comparison treatment. The study reported a difference in pain outcomes, but it did not test every cause of knee pain or show treatment of osteoarthritis itself. Individual results vary. Read the original paper and science page for details and limits.

Source: Bagnato et al., Rheumatology (Oxford), 2016. Read the ActiPatch® science overview.

Important Usage Guidelines

Not a Cure: ActiPatch® is intended for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, not a cure for knee pain.

Water Resistance: The device is not waterproof. Remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming.

Contraindications: Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device. Follow the supplied instructions for use.

Pregnancy: Do not use if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Not for children: Not for use by or on children under 17.

Pain of unknown cause: Do not use for sudden or unexplained pain, or if the cause of the pain is unknown. Not for pain deep in the body such as the chest or stomach, and not for cancer-related pain.

Open wounds: The device is not sterile. Do not place it in direct contact with open wounds.

If pain does not improve: If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.

See the package insert for full contraindications, warnings and precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin with the included tape, or over a thin layer of clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Avoid thick fabric between the device and the skin. Follow the package insert for positioning.

It can be used as an adjunct for musculoskeletal knee pain. A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial studied knee osteoarthritis pain specifically, not all knee problems. ActiPatch® does not change the course of arthritis.

Yes, as directed in the package insert. Check that the loop stays over the painful spot as your knee bends. Less pain does not mean a newly injured knee is ready for more activity.

Follow the wear instructions in the package insert rather than a promised relief schedule. Responses vary. If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor.

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