Knee injuries are a common occurrence in both sports and everyday life. For some knee injuries, surgery is the only viable option to return to the previous level of activity. However, minor injuries, chronic injuries or injuries due to wear and tear of the joint often may be treated with nonsurgical methods. In many instances, a physician will try these conservative approaches before discussing surgery.
Lifestyle Modification
Many modifications to the patient's lifestyle can decrease knee pain and preserve the joint, and according to Dr. Howard J. Luks, this is often the first suggestion a physician will make. Losing weight can decrease the amount of daily wear and tear on a knee joint. Patients should try to eliminate high-impact activities that include running and jumping and limit the amount of squatting and kneeling that they perform in a day.
Physical Therapy
The physician will often prescribe a course of physical therapy, consisting of two to three visits per week, for four to six weeks. The physical therapist will work with the patient to improve the flexibility and strength of lower extremities. The patient will perform a home exercise routine, consisting of specific knee-preserving exercises, at least once per day. Water or aquatic therapy and stationary cycling are common forms of exercise because they require minimal pounding of the knee joint.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications can be effective short term for controlling knee pain. The physician may recommend an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or may prescribe a stronger version. According to Luks, reducing inflammation in the knee may temporarily decrease pain and delay the need for surgery. If oral medications fail to provide relief, the physician may suggest a steroid injection into the knee joint. Steroids are a powerful anti-inflammatory but tend to provide only temporary relief and are generally only repeated three to four times.
Gel Injections
Gel injections, or viscosupplementation, are given in a series of three to five injections over three to six months. The gel injections are used to lubricate the knee joint and replace the natural lubricants that diminish with osteoarthritis. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, gel injections have been shown to provide relief to many patients who do not respond to other conservative methods of treatment.
