Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

Non-Surgical Alternatives for Knee Pain

Knee pain is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal health issues across all age groups, significantly impacting quality of life. It may arise from various causes, including age-related degeneration (osteoarthritis), injuries (such as ligament tears and meniscal damage), autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), or overuse syndromes.

While surgical interventions are warranted, several cases can be effectively managed with non-surgical treatment options, particularly in the early or moderate stages. Read ahead to understand the effective non-surgical strategies for managing knee pain.

Ask Your Doctor About These Non-Surgical Options for Treating Knee Pain

• Lose weight to lower strain on your knees: Heavy weight puts pressure on your knees and increases stress on the joint, increasing pain and making it hard to exercise. Additionally, carrying extra weights as per your body raises your risk of developing knee arthritis and speed up the destruction of cartilage that cushions your joints.
• Take pain reliever medication with care: Many drugs can manage the symptoms of knee arthritis, such as analgesics for mild to moderate pain can be managed with acetaminophen (tylenol). Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, effectively alleviate pain and inflammation. However, they should be used carefully in long-term therapy due to the potential for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal toxicities. Topical creams containing NSAIDs or capsaicin can be applied directly to the knee, resulting in fewer systemic side effects and reduced pain.
• Try low impact exercise for strength and mobility: Try low impact aerobic exercises including water therapy, walking on a treadmill and stationary cycling exercises which can enhance your endurance and lessen stress on your joint which ultimately contribute to gaining strength and pain free mobility.
• Injections for Knee pain: Injections can give you temporary pain relief and are commonly used when you are not getting rid from joint pain despite oral medication and physical therapy. Anti-inflammatory injections that may alleviate swelling and pain for weeks to months. However, taking frequent injection can weaken joint structures. Hyaluronic acid injections may provide pain relief for some patients, though clinical studies on its effectiveness have shown mixed results. It is considered a potential option when other injections are not suitable or effective.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Knee Pain: If all of these methods fail to give you pain relief from osteoarthritis, there are still options. Radiofrequency ablation can be used as it controls knee pain by destroying the sensory nerves that carry the pain signal from the knee to the brain.

How Does Physiotherapy Help in Managing Knee Pain?

Physiotherapy is often the first-line non-surgical treatment and has a high success rate in reducing pain, improving function, and preventing deterioration. Effective interventions include:

• Strengthening Exercises: Focuses on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip abductors to stabilize the knee.
• Stretching: This particularly focuses on the iliotibial band, calves, and hamstrings.
• Balance Training: Enhances proprioception and reduces the risk of falls in older adults.
• Manual Therapy: Joint mobilizations by trained physiotherapists may provide relief.
• Electrotherapy Modalities: Electrotherapy modalities such as TENS, ultrasound, or interferential therapy can help reduce inflammation and pain.

Most therapy programs, with gradual home-based transition plans, last  6–8 weeks. At Star Health, we provide coverage for physiotherapy under our Star Outpatient Care Insurance Policy. We also offer hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.

Can Lifestyle Modifications Help Manage Knee Pain?

Absolutely. Lifestyle changes are cornerstones of non-surgical management of knee pain. A few of these changes can be:

• Consider Weight Management: Every 1 kg of body weight adds nearly 4 kg of pressure on the knees during walking. Losing 5–10% of body weight significantly reduces symptoms of osteoarthritis.
• Wear Correct Footwear: Soft-soled, supportive shoes reduce knee loading. Custom insoles can help with alignment.
• Modify Physical Activity: Avoid high-impact exercises (e.g., jogging) and opt for low-impact activities like swimming or cycling to maintain joint health without aggravating pain.

What Medications Help in Knee Pain Treatment?

Several classes of medications are practical, depending on the underlying cause. A few effective medications include:

• NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): Ibuprofen or diclofenac for short-term use.
• Topical Analgesics: Diclofenac or capsaicin creams provide local pain relief with fewer systemic side effects.
• Paracetamol: Safer long-term option for mild osteoarthritis.
• Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): For autoimmune arthritis, under rheumatologist supervision.
• Supplements: Glucosamine and chondroitin have shown modest effects in treating mild osteoarthritis.

How Important is Diet in Managing Knee Joint Health?

Diet plays a critical, albeit indirect, role in knee joint health. A few of the diet suggestions are as follows:

• Consider Anti-inflammatory Foods: Omega-3-rich items, such as flaxseeds, walnuts, and fatty fish, as well as turmeric and ginger, help reduce inflammation.
• Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D: Essential for joint and bone health, particularly in postmenopausal women.
• Limit Sugar and Processed Foods: These increase systemic inflammation.

When is Surgery Necessary Despite Non-surgical Efforts?

Surgery may be unavoidable when the knee pain becomes severe in the following ways:

• Advanced osteoarthritis with severe joint space narrowing.
• Failure of conservative treatments after 6–12 months.
• Joint deformity affecting gait or daily life.
• Repeated locking, instability, or swelling.
• Imaging evidence of severe structural damage.

Through proactive pain management strategies and lifestyle modifications, knee pain can be effectively managed.  People under structured care with insurance support can focus on rehabilitation and prevention that is free from financial considerations.  

Also Read:

→ What are the Common Ways to Treat Knee Pain

→ How Does PRP Treat Knee Pain Effectively

→ What are the Best Home Remedies for Relieving Knee Pain

→ What are the Average Costs of Gel Injections For Knee Pain

→ What is The Typical Price for a Knee MRI in India