Q. A 67-year-old woman presents to the clinic complaining of progressive pain in her right knee over the past year. The pain is described as a deep, aching sensation, aggravated by prolonged standing and walking and relieved with rest. She denies any history of trauma but mentions increasing stiffness in the morning, lasting about 20 minutes. On physical examination, the knee joint shows mild swelling without any signs of inflammation, and there is crepitus on passive motion. Radiographs of the knee reveal joint space narrowing and osteophytes at the joint margins. What is the most appropriate initial medication for pain management in this patient?