If you have knee arthritis or experience chronic pain in your knee joint, you have probably tried everything you can to ease the pain.
The last thing you want to do is have invasive surgery.
However, is there a way to avoid looking around for orthopedic surgeons?
It’s a valid question because even the most routine surgeries will put your body through a lot of stress.
Fortunately, technology is advancing to the point where knee surgery may not be necessary for everyone.
Various alternative treatments for knee pain can replace surgery, and there are still some old-fashioned things you can do to help prevent the need for invasive surgery.
In the article below, we will look at a few proven knee replacement alternatives.
Weight Loss
Experts strongly encourage people who are overweight or with obesity and experiencing knee pain to lose weight.
Research has shown that every additional 10 pounds you carry can increase your odds of developing knee osteoarthritis by 36%.
Losing 10 pounds also means you have four times less force pressing down on your knees all day.
Losing weight is not always as easy as it sounds, but it can be done with low-impact exercise and a natural diet.
Low-Impact Exercise for Strength and Mobility
Strengthening your quads, glutes, and hamstrings can help reduce pain and make it easier for you to stay mobile.
When you first start a weight loss journey, you should opt for regular low-impact exercise, like riding a bike or walking around your neighborhood.
Things like physical therapy can also help.
Your physical therapist can help you put together a customized exercise program.
Suitable activities include:
- walking
- cycling
- strengthening exercises
- water exercise
- yoga
Many people wear a knee brace while exercising to help with pain and knee mobility.
Exercising with a group or a physical therapist may be more effective than exercising alone.
You should also choose an activity that you enjoy and will continue to do over the long term.
Eat Smart
Diet is just as important for weight loss as exercise and an active lifestyle.
For knee pain, an anti-inflammatory diet is essential.
Processed foods, fast foods, and carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, which have a significant effect on blood glucose level, may contribute to pain and inflammation.
Some high glycemic index foods are French fries, certain cereals, or snacks like potato chips and pretzels.
People with knee pain should also avoid eating too many omega-6 fats became they can also increase pain and inflammation.
Here’s what you should include in your diet:
- Whole grains
- Lean protein
- Fruits and vegetables
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Stem Cell Therapy
The previous three suggestions will help you prevent the need for knee surgery.
The next few things we’ll talk about are alternatives to knee replacement surgery.
First, stem cell therapy is quickly becoming a top knee replacement alternative.
With this, stem cells found naturally inside adult bone marrow and fat are used.
These cells have the unique ability to repair damaged tissues, including the tissues in your knee joint.
Many people facing a degenerated disease like knee osteoarthritis have stem cells that aren’t being released enough to repair the damaged tissue.
Stem cell therapy fixes this problem by injecting stem cells into the affected area.
This allows them to naturally make the necessary repairs to your knee joints.
The risk of side effects or rejection compared to knee replacement surgery are minimal with stem cell therapy.
Joint Injections For Knee Pain
Another one of the effective treatments that can replace knee replacement is gel knee injections.
These are also known as viscosupplementation.
These gel injectables contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in the synovial fluid of the joints.
This type of treatment aids in joint lubrication, reduces inflammation, and promotes bone and cartilage growth in your knee.
Knee replacement gel injections have been used for decades and are often tried before a doctor recommends a surgical procedure.
Unfortunately, this is often a temporary solution.
People with knee osteoarthritis will continue to have the disease progress, even with injections, and the patient’s doctor will likely recommend surgery at some point.
Medical Ozone Treatment
Medical ozone treatments are meant to repair the damaged area of the knee permanently.
They aren’t designed just to provide simple pain relief.
It’s considered a relatively new joint replacement alternative, causing minimal pain and discomfort.
Ozone treatments use the powerful elements in ozone to help heal the area.
These treatments work because your circulation directly affects how quickly an injured area of the body can repair itself.
Repairs to the damaged knee tissues are virtually impossible without proper circulation or blood flow.
Medical ozone treatments reduce the inflammation in your knee to promote better circulation.
They also provide your body with what it needs to heal faster and more efficiently.
Three to five treatments are usually needed to get the desired results and avoid any type of surgery on your knee.
Cartilage Regeneration
If you don’t have severe arthritis and have suitable alignment of the bones, you may opt for newer treatments that replace cartilage instead of the entire joint.
Several cartilage-regeneration techniques are available that you may consider and discuss with an orthopaedic surgeon.
For example, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) takes a sample of your cartilage cells, grows them in a lab, and then surgically replants them in your knee.
This technique isn’t for everyone, but young people and athletes affected by cartilage loss are ideal candidates.
Weigh Your Options
Before opting for knee replacement surgery, it’s important to consider all your options.
Many people across the country find these treatments to be a safe and effective alternative to knee replacement surgery.
However, if you think you’ve tried everything to avoid knee pain surgery, but nothing’s working, it may be time to consider surgery.
But before you make the appointment, Ethos Health Group can help.
We have developed a proprietary HyalRegen-CT method as a comprehensive solution for those suffering from knee arthritis and chronic pain.
The specialists at Ethos Health Group perform lubricating injections under precision imaging guidance.
This advanced medical process adds the cushioning fluid that acts as a shock absorber back into and around your knee.
These F.D.A.-approved injections can help your knees stimulate more of their natural fluid, giving you long-term benefits and relief.
To learn more about what the Ethos Health Group can do for your chronic knee pain, click the button below to schedule a free consultation.