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Knee Osteoarthritis & How to Avoid Surgery

By October 21, 2023November 20th, 2023Arthritis, Knee Pain

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in a person’s knee joint. While knee surgery can be a great option for some people with knee osteoarthritis, it’s important to understand that it’s not always necessary. There are plenty of non-surgical treatments available that can help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

We’ll explore the causes of knee osteoarthritis, the risks of knee surgery, and alternative options for managing your symptoms. We’ll also discuss how to avoid surgery and control your knee health.

knee-osteoarthritis-and-how-to-avoid-surgery

1. Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Now, let’s talk about knee osteoarthritis and what it means for you. Simply put, knee osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease. Knee osteoarthritis symptoms can include pain, stiffness, and swelling in your knee joint. Knee osteoarthritis can be a frustrating diagnosis. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent osteoarthritis knee treatment options out there that can help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. We’ll work together to understand your condition and find the best treatment plan for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got this!  

2. The Benefits and Risks of Knee Surgery 

If you’re considering knee osteoarthritis surgery, it’s important that you understand both the benefits and the risks involved. Surgery can be a costly, invasive procedure. This osteoarthritis knee treatment type also requires a lengthy recovery period. Then there’s the risk of blood clots, infection, and the knee replacement components potentially loosening. Even though there are now significantly higher surgical success rates than before, knee osteoarthritis surgery may still not always provide the desired outcome. Based on this, how does knee osteoarthritis surgery compare with other osteoarthritis knee treatment types? Let’s weigh the potential benefits and risks and help you make an informed decision about your knee health.  

3. Alternative Options for Managing Knee Osteoarthritis  

So, if you’re looking for alternative options to manage your knee osteoarthritis, plenty of non-surgical treatments are available. Depending on your specific knee arthritis symptoms, your osteoarthritis knee treatment options may include physical therapy like Pilates, weight management, medication, or diagnostic tools like gait analysis. As physiotherapists, we’ll work with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs. Together, we’ll find the right plan for you! 

4. Weight Management and Knee Osteoarthritis 

Did you know that maintaining a healthy weight can be important in managing knee osteoarthritis? Too much weight can put added stress on your knee joints, which can exacerbate knee arthritis symptoms. This is why weight management can be an effective osteoarthritis knee treatment. By doing so, we can help reduce your symptoms and improve your overall health. Let’s get started! 

5. Exercise and Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis  

Exercise and physical therapy can also be an effective way to manage knee osteoarthritis symptoms. There is a range of knee arthritis exercises out there to get you moving and feeling fantastic again in no time! Doing strengthening exercises can help improve the strength and stability of your knee joint, while range of motion exercises can help improve your flexibility and reduce stiffness. A licensed physical therapist will work with you to develop a personalised exercise program that meets your specific needs.  

6. Medication for Knee Osteoarthritis  

If you’re looking for medication to help manage your knee arthritis symptoms, there are plenty of options available. Osteoarthritis knee treatment medications include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, and topical creams and gels. We can work with your healthcare provider to determine which medication, alongside other osteoarthritis knee treatment options, are right for you.  

7. Consulting with a Healthcare Professional for Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment  

If you’re experiencing knee osteoarthritis symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. Your doctor or GP can help diagnose your condition and develop a personalised osteoarthritis knee treatment plan that meets your needs. By working with a healthcare professional, you can get relief from your symptoms and improve your quality of life. We’ll work together and get you the care you need and deserve. Let’s tackle knee osteoarthritis together! 

In conclusion, knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that can cause pain and discomfort in the knee joint. While knee surgery can be an excellent option for some people, it’s important to understand the risks involved and explore alternative options first. By working with a healthcare professional, you can develop a personalised treatment plan that meets your needs and helps manage your symptoms. Your osteoarthritis knee treatment may include physical therapy, weight management, medication, and exercise. By adopting healthy habits and taking control of your knee health, you can avoid surgery and improve your quality of life. Remember, you’ve got this – let’s work together to take on knee osteoarthritis!