How to Relieve Knee Pain Without Surgery

Knee pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages, and it can throw a major wrench in your quality of life. Simple tasks like walking up stairs can cause unbearable pain, and many patients have to adjust their activities. 

While surgery is the best option in some cases, nonsurgical treatments for knee pain can be just as effective, and they come with fewer risks and complications. When you’re dealing with knee pain, trust our orthopedic expert at aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics, Dr. Brian K. Rich to thoroughly evaluate your knee and create a treatment plan that helps you get on the path to living with less pain. 

What causes knee pain?

Feeling pain in the knees is incredibly common, whether people participate in a sport or hobby that involves jumping or they deal with a problem such as arthritis.

Here are some of the most common causes of knee pain: 

• Torn ligaments or meniscus
• Tendinitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout or pseudogout
• Patellar tendinitis

Dr. Rich can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the source of your knee pain. The results will guide his treatment recommendations. 

Nonsurgical treatments for knee pain

Let’s discuss some of the most common nonsurgical approaches to knee pain: physical therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and corticosteroid injections.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy involves exercise and movement-based interventions to improve knee function and reduce pain. It can be an effective treatment option for knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, ligament tears, and meniscus injuries.

During a physical therapy session, a licensed physical therapist will work with you to develop a customized exercise and rehabilitation program tailored to their specific needs and abilities. The program may include a combination of exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the affected knee joint. 

The therapist may also use ice or heat therapy, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound to reduce pain and promote healing.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) involves the use of heat to disrupt nerve signals in the affected knee joint. The device uses radiofrequency waves to heat and disable nerve tissue in the knee joint.

RFA is often effective for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions. The procedure can help reduce pain and improve knee function by disrupting nerve signals that transmit pain signals from the knee joint to the brain.

During the RFA procedure, a small electrode is inserted into the affected knee joint using imaging guidance. The electrode is then used to deliver heat energy to the targeted nerve tissue, which destroys the nerve cells and disrupts the pain signals being sent to the brain.

Corticosteroid injections

In some cases, corticosteroid injections are an appropriate choice for knee issues. Corticosteroids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling.

Corticosteroid injections can provide rapid pain relief from knee pain caused by injuries, as well as degenerative diseases. The procedure is quick, and many patients experience significant relief within a few days or even hours. 

Chronic knee pain can be debilitating. If you’re experiencing knee pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rich for a thorough evaluation to find out which nonsurgical treatment option is right for you.