Non-surgical treatments
Severe joint pain due to arthritis can detract greatly from feelings of wellbeing and quality of life. Most successful treatments consist of a combination of approaches designed to take account of your own individual circumstances, needs and lifestyle, focusing on identifying ways to manage your discomfort and improve joint function.
Non-surgical treatments are frequently considered first in most instances of knee pain. Whilst these non-surgical options for treating arthritis can help to provide relief, if what you really need is a knee replacement, they may only offer limited effectiveness compared to the potential long-term gains afforded by surgery. Therapies include:
Exercise and physical therapy
Exercise and low-impact physical therapy may help the functioning of the joint through increasing its strength and range of motion. Secondary benefits include a raised sense of physical wellbeing through improved flexibility and fitness.
Activities prescribed may include cycling using an exercise bike or gentle leg exercises to strengthen your leg muscles, such as tightening and holding the thigh muscles, leg lifts or knee extensions. These solutions may or may not help, although joint pain can become worse if you do not stay active as the muscles become weak, making the joint more difficult to move.
Weight management
Joint pain and arthritis can be aggravated by excessive weight, so a healthy diet and weight loss may help alleviate the symptoms. Carrying less body weight reduces stress on your knee and a higher level of activity increases its function. Unfortunately the painful effects of osteoarthritis often lead to decreased, rather than increased activity, making weight loss difficult. Heavy lifting should also be avoided as this additional weight puts pressure on the joint.
Bracing
A knee brace may be recommended to help provide additional stability for the joint. The brace helps to encourage realignment and strengthens the muscles. This stability decreases the amount of contact between the bone surfaces, potentially reducing pain and increasing mobility.
Medication
Painkillers and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to treat the symptoms of arthritis. Drugs such as ibuprofen, available over the counter, can help reduce swelling. Other stronger NSAIDs may be prescribed by your doctor. Medications though may only provide temporary relief as they do not prevent further damage to the joint.
Injection therapy
Injection therapy involves the use of a needle and syringe to inject anaesthetic or medication into the damaged joint, soft tissues or other areas to relieve pain. It is typically used only when less invasive forms of treatment fail to relieve symptoms. Injection therapy is more effective in treating acute pain and is rarely used for the treatment of chronic pain.
Important: The information and guidance provided here is general in nature and should not be considered as medical advice in any way. You should always seek detailed advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
