I have dedicated the last 10 years of mylife helping people deal with the pain of osteoarthritis. Until recently the treatment model for knee arthritis consisted only of painkillers until the pain got too severe, followed by joint replacement surgery.
The modern approach looks to address every stage of the disease process, taking steps to slow the progression of the disease. Some simple (but still relatively unpopular) treatments are effective - weight loss, exercise and the unloader knee brace.
As the general population ages, osteoarthritis is going to become a much bigger issue in society.
The best non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis - the ones with the best evidence base behind them - unfortunately require will power: Weight Loss, Quadriceps Strengthening, and Lifestyle Changes. The "easy" option with growing supporting evidence is the Unloader Knee Brace.