Knee replacement surgery is one of the common orthopedic procedures that are performed these days. This surgery requires special knee orthopedic implants and is recommended in cases where conventional treatments are not effective. However, the orthopedic specialist often tries other treatment methods before finalizing surgery. In this post, we will see some of the most tried alternatives to knee replacement surgery. Let us have a look.

Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

Here are some of the common treatment methods that orthopedic surgeons may use before opting for knee replacement surgery:

Weight Management

Obesity is among the commonest causes of joint pain as extra body weight puts stress on the joint while causing pain in the long run. Not only this but surgery is also difficult in obese. So, it is important to reduce weight if you are obese. In most cases, maintaining a healthy weight is very effective in improving knee pain and it may also significantly minimize the need for surgery. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is important in restoring the mobility and strength of the affected knee joint. In mild to moderate cases, physical therapy along with medications can provide long-term relief. While on the other hand, physiotherapy is also required after surgery to regain strength and range of motion. For this, it is necessary to consult a specialist as only he can guide you on the right way of doing exercise.

Medication

Both over-the-counter medication and prescribed drugs are effective in improving pain and inflammation. However, prescribed medicines should be preferred as OTC drugs may have side effects in the long run. 

Besides oral drugs, corticosteroid injection is another option that is applied to the affected knee joint. 

Prolotherapy

In prolotherapy, the expert will inject an irritant solution, dextrose solution in most cases, into the ligament or tendon. This is to increase the blood flow and supply of nutrients and stimulate healing by irritating the tissue. 

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy is the future of surgeries as it not only requires smaller incisions than conventional methods but also ensures faster and better healing. This technique can be applied to fix meniscal tears, cartilage damage, and ligament repair. An arthroscope, a tiny camera, is inserted into the joint during the arthroscopy to clearly visualize the area to be operated. 

Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell treatment is preferred to repair cartilage tissue in the knee joint. During the treatment, bone marrow stem cells from the hip are used for cartilage regeneration. This therapy can improve pain and function of the knee joint. 

Plasma-Rich Protein Injections

The osteoarthritic knee is where PRP injections are applied to. For this, the orthopedic specialist will take blood from the patient and extract platelets using a centrifuge. The platelets are then injected into the affected knees.