Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Treatments for Knee Pain: What You Need to Know

Besides medication, braces, and analgesic oils that doctors may prescribe for knee pain management, more effective and less invasive non-surgical knee pain treatments are available for patients

Due to various factors, knee pain can affect people of all ages, and some adults over 40 are prone to Osteoarthritis, an inflammatory disease affecting the knee joints that causes severe pain. Currently, there are both non-surgical and surgical treatments available to overcome this painful condition, which affects the patient’s mobility and has a detrimental effect on their day-to-day activities. 

Let us first deal with the non-surgical treatments available today to relieve that nagging knee pain, which affects the knee joint. While non-surgical knee pain treatment is considered a first line of pain management, it is also considered less invasive and beneficial to those not affected by significant knee damage. However, it may offer only short-term benefits.

Non-surgical knee pain treatments 

Other than medication, braces, and analgesic oils that doctors may prescribe for knee pain management, more effective and less invasive non-surgical knee pain treatments are available for patients. Steroid injections, Hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection treatments are prominent among them. These non-surgical methods may help relieve knee pain quickly. However, these treatments are recommended for short-term relief, and they may not offer significant long-term relief from knee pain for patients affected with acute and long-term knee pain and knee damage problems

Steroid injections 

In this treatment, the doctor injects steroids combined with analgesics into the knee to relieve pain and inflammation. The injection acts quickly and gives fast relief. It takes effect within 24 – 48 hours, and the treatment can last as long as 12 weeks.

Hyaluronic acid (HA)

The hyaluronic acid injection will act as a cushion between the knee joints so that the bones do not rub against each other, which causes pain. However, this treatment can only last 3 – 6 months.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment

In this non-surgical treatment, the doctor will inject the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma into the patient. The PRP contains platelets and growth factors at high concentrations, which may help heal the knee joints. It also offers a short-term relief option for knee pain. 

Other quick-fix reliefs for knee pain management include lifestyle changes such as weight loss regimens and alternative therapies, also recommended for short-term knee pain management.

Surgical treatments for knee pain offer long-lasting relief 

When non-surgical options fail, or if there is significant knee damage, patients are required to opt for surgical therapies to get rid of their knee pain and get back to everyday life. Surgical remedies for knee pain are varied, and they are available in many hospitals in Chennai,

Knee surgery can effectively manage a range of issues, from damaged ligaments to severe arthritis. It gives long-term relief from knee pain for chronic and particularly aged patients, who may return to normal life and easy mobility after a period of post-operative care.

Arthroscopy

This popular procedure is considered minimally invasive surgery. It involves small incisions and the insertion of a fibre-optic camera to examine and repair joint damage. 

The procedure is very effective for repairing torn ligaments, removing damaged cartilage, or treating kneecap issues. 

Knee replacement surgery is a more practical option

Also known as knee arthroplasty, this procedure resurfaces a damaged knee joint with a prosthesis to relieve chronic pain. This procedure is carried out with general anaesthesia. It’s a highly recommended surgical procedure when the knee joint is significantly damaged due to Osteoarthritis. Partial knee replacement and total knee replacement surgeries are carried out as per the patient’s needs. After the knee replacement surgery, the patients can expect the new knee to last for 15 to 20 years. 

The entire procedure may take one to two hours, and this effective surgical procedure requires no more than three to four days of hospital stay. The procedure greatly helps to relieve pain, improve mobility, and improve patients’ quality of life, and there is no upper age limit for undergoing it.

Osteotomy

This procedure involves cutting the thigh bone to move pressure away from the knee joint. It can help younger patients with knee pain who suffer from physical deformities.  

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

This minimally invasive procedure can reduce inflammation and increase mobility in knees affected by Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions. With low complication rates, patients may have to use a walking stick for several weeks to regain easy mobility. Physical therapy can help speed up recovery. The artificial knee may last long-term, up to 15–20 years, and patients may need revision surgery if necessary.