Non-surgical knee pain treatments

Knee pain and injuries don’t always mean surgical interventions. There are non-surgical options that you can choose from, depending on your physician’s advice. For example, if your knee pain stemmed from an old accident, then physical therapy and steroid injections are available to alleviate the pain.

With the many options available, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional to ensure you get the right one. Below are some of the most common non-surgical knee pain treatments you might encounter.

Injections & infusions

If your knee pain is caused by arthritis, your doctor might recommend you get an injection of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid. These can help ease the pain and swelling in your joints. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that can be injected directly into your knee joint. It can provide relief from pain and swelling for several weeks or more.

Infusions are delivered via IV or directly into the muscles to reduce inflammation. They’re minimally invasive, so that you won’t need any anesthesia.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is a hands-on approach to treating knee pain involving massaging, stretching, and exercises. Physical therapists will help you strengthen the muscles around your knee joint and improve your range of motion, ultimately reducing your knee pain.

Brace

If an unstable joint causes your knee pain, then a knee brace is a necessary option. A brace will help stabilize your joint and protect it from further damage.

There are a variety of braces available depending on your needs. For example, if you have arthritis, you might need a hinged knee brace. It’s a brace that allows you to move your leg while providing support. Other types of knee brace:

• Knee sleeves
• Knee pads
• Patellar tracking orthosis
• Patellar straps

Nutraceuticals

Another non-surgical treatment you may consider is taking nutraceuticals or herbal and dietary supplements that have health benefits for your knee joint. These have nutrients and minerals that help the overall health of your bones and soft tissues, especially those located on your knees.

Some of the most common nutraceuticals for knee pain are:

• Glucosamine and chondroitin – helps with the repair and growth of cartilage
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – helps with inflammation and joint degeneration
• Boron – helps with building strong bones

Pain medications

Over-the-counter pain medications are viable if your knee pain is not that severe. You can use ibuprofen and acetaminophen as pain relievers. Apart from these medicines, you can also use topical analgesics, such as muscle rubs, for temporary relief. Your physician may also prescribe other forms of pain relievers.

We can help you get relief from your knee pain without surgery.

As you can see, quite a few non-surgical treatments for knee pain are available. But not all of them will work for you.

The best way to know is to consult one of our physicians and find out which option is the best for your case.