Surgery should always be a last resort as a treatment option, especially when dealing with knee pain. Pain masking drugs should also be avoided or at least minimally consumed when enduring any pain associated with joints such as the knees. You’re probably asking yourself, what are my options to relieve my chronic knee pain then?
Some of the most effective non-surgical options for knee pain relief include:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Prolotherapy
- Viscosupplementation Therapy
- Physical therapy
- Bracing
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)– is one of the most effective treatments for knee pain relief. It has been used to stimulate the body’s natural healing capabilities for years. PRP therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that promotes the healing of damaged tissues such as muscles, tendons, and cartilage. One of the best things about PRP is there is minimal to no risk since you are using your own blood. The healing process takes approximately four to six weeks as opposed to months and physical therapy with surgery. The majority of patients report a gradual reduction in pain and a vast improvement over time.
Prolotherapy- is an alternative treatment for joint and muscle pain. It is sometimes known as proliferation therapy. Prolotherapy has been around since the 1950s. The idea behind prolotherapy involves injecting a sugar or saline solution into your sore joint or muscle where it acts as an irritant. Your body recognizes this irritant and sends immune cells to the area, which starts the body’s natural healing process.
Viscosupplementation- Viscosupplementation is a procedure where a fluid called ‘hyaluronate’ is injected into the knee joint. This thick fluid improves the lubricating properties of the synovial fluid, which in turn reduces knee pain. It also improves mobility providing for a much more manageable level of activity.
Physical therapy– Physical therapy, or PT, can ease your knee pain. You will need to work with a licensed physical therapist who will incorporate various techniques to help strengthen your muscles and problematic areas. Prior to surgery, physical therapy is simply an option. After surgery, physical therapy is a must!
Bracing– Bracing is a tool at managing discomfort in the knee. It helps by shifting your weight off the damaged portion of your knee. This will help with your ability to get around more comfortably. The average price of a knee brace is about $80-$300. The average knee surgery is somewhere between $30,000 and $50,000.
Disadvantages of Knee Replacement Surgery
- As mentioned earlier, the cost of knee surgery is rather high at $30,000.
- Replacement joints wear out, requiring additional surgery
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Infection
- Allergic Reactions
- Nerve Damage
- Knee Stiffness and loss of motion
- Persistent Pain
- Increased risk of a heart attack
These are just some of the many disadvantages of major replacement knee surgery. Everybody is different, but when weighing the cons of surgery versus the non-surgical options, the natural treatments always seem to be the best overall options.
To learn more about our non-invasive non-drug treatment options to relieve knee pain, call our office today to schedule a free consultation.