Had surgery on mine at 19, and when I have flare ups I pop ibuprofen like it's
falling out of a PEZ dispenser, along with some mellow muscle relaxers (Methocarbamol).
For the really bad flare ups (maybe 3 in the last 10 years), my family doc gives me steroids (prednisone) to get the swelling down. That works the best for me.