Alternatives to Knee Surgery

It seems that everyone has knee pain at some time in their lives, and there are many different causes. The knee is the largest joint in the body and is subject to much normal wear as well as abuse from sports or other physical activities. There is no alternative to surgery for some knee problems resulting from serious injuries or when arthritis has totally destroyed the joint, and surgeries range from minimally invasive arthroscopic repairs to total knee replacement. However, some knee injuries or other painful situations can be addressed by less serious means.

Injury Treatments

• Several measures can be taken to help reduce pain and repair damage caused by a knee injury.
  Icing -- An ice pack helps reduce swelling, pain and inflammation of an injured knee. It is best to wrap the ice pack in some sort of fabric to protect the skin. Many doctors recommend applying ice to the knee for twenty minutes three times a day.
  Rest -- Attempt to keep the weight off and reduce the strain on the knee to allow the injury to heal and prevent additional damage. For minor injuries, one or two days of rest may resolve the situation; however, more serious damage requires longer resting time.
  Elevation -- Fluids often accumulate after an injury and the elevation will help drain the fluid and reduce swelling.
  Compression -- A compression bandage will help prevent fluid buildup, provide some stability and help protect the joint from further damage. Do not wrap the bandage so tightly that it interferes with blood circulation.
  Bracing -- More serious damage such as a ligament sprain or damaged ACL may require a brace to stabilize the joint or crutches to assist with weight bearing.
  Physical Therapy -- Expert physical therapy may be necessary to improve strength and flexibility. The therapy will include stretching and strengthening exercises with the intent to reestablish full motion and improve stability.

Medications

• There are medications and medical procedures that can be used instead of surgery to alleviate the pain of a knee damaged by arthritis or injury.
  Anti-inflammatory Medications -- Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can help relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in the knee. These over-the-counter medications may also help to reduce swelling, but also may have serious side effects if taken over a long period of time or in amounts exceeding the recommended dosage.
  Corticosteroid Injections -- This powerful anti-inflammatory drug injected directly into the knee may provide relief of knee pain that could last as long as three months. These injections do not work in all cases and have side effects that include an increased risk of infection.
  Joint Fluid Therapy -- In a series of injections a thick fluid called hyaluronate is inserted into the damaged knee joint to replace the lubricating fluid. Medical experts are not certain how this treatment works, but in some cases the relief has lasted from between six months to a year.
  Topical Painkillers -- Over-the-counter ointments applied directly to the skin may ease the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Capsicum, a cream sold under several brand names, and lidocaine patches have been known to provide temporary relief of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Lifestyle Changes and Supplements

• Some lifestyle changes may ease knee pain and strengthen the joint to help prevent future knee problems.
  Avoid Running and Twisting - Running and jogging will not only aggravate a knee injury but can significantly stress the joint. Any exercise involving twisting will increase the possibility of damage and add to existing knee pain.
  Low Impact Exercise - The leg muscles can be strengthened and knee pain reduced by low impact exercise. Walking and leg lifts are good exercise for knee pain sufferers.
  Dietary Supplement - Glucosamine/chondroitin taken regularly has been known to improve the mobility of the knee and decrease pain. Glucosamine is thought to help cartilage growth and chondroitin may improve cartilage elasticity.
  Weight Loss - Excess weight places stress on the knee joint. Patients that have lost a significant amount of weight have reported much improvement in knee pain.