Can You Get A Knee Arthritis Treatment Without Surgery?
Knee arthritis can act as a big hurdle in your day-to-day life. Not only does it impact your mobility, but it can make it difficult to get through your daily tasks. Usually, orthopedic surgeons suggest getting surgery to adjust the knee cap and bones. However, if you do not want to get tied up in surgery, you can consult a professional rheumatologist for other knee arthritis treatments. Non-surgical treatments are equally beneficial and can alleviate knee pain, improving your joint function.
Can You Get A Knee Arthritis Treatment Without Surgery?
Surgery is not the only option when it comes to arthritis treatment. In fact, depending on the severity of your condition, non-surgical treatments can be better for knee arthritis. This typically includes physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the knee, weight management to reduce stress on joints, corticosteroid injections to rewire the joints, and certain medications like pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, if your pain refuses to go away, you can talk to your doctor and get an assisting device like a knee brace to add additional support to the joint. Moreover, these methods aren’t just non-invasive, but they also improve mobility with minimum pain.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Arthritis
Mentioned below are some common non-surgical alternatives to knee arthritis surgery.
- Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the biggest non-surgical treatment when it comes to knee arthritis. You will be required to carry out a handful of exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee. This helps to improve joint flexibility and boosts overall function. On the other hand, if your pain is severe, the therapist might incorporate heat or cold therapy to alleviate the discomfort and swelling. - Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is necessary for managing knee arthritis. Excess weight adds unneeded stress on the knee joints, which worsens the pain and inflammation. Try maintaining a balanced diet and exercise regularly to promote weight loss. This will reduce the burden on your knees and improve your joint health. - NSAIDs and Other Medications
Several medications can help manage the symptoms of knee arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are used for pain relief. - Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections provide immense relief for knee arthritis. They help reduce inflammation and act as a lubricant, absorbing the shock in your joint for smoother movement. - Knee Brace
Braces and other supportive devices are great for holding up the affected knee since they provide stability and reduce strain on the joints.
Long Story Short
While surgery is the usual option in most cases of knee arthritis, non-surgical treatments are much more feasible. They help manage the symptoms better without engaging in an intrusive treatment. Nevertheless, always make sure to talk to your rheumatologist before making a rash decision on what to do. For more queries and concerns, feel free to contact Rheumatology Care of North Houston at (832) 532-9779