Alternative Treatments and Exercises for Knee Osteoarthritis
Have you been recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and referred to an interventional radiologist physician to discuss surgical and non-surgical treatment options?
Unless you have debilitating knee pain, you may hesitate to undergo open surgery and wonder, “Is there an alternative to knee surgery?”
While surgeries like total knee replacement and arthroscopic knee surgery for osteoarthritis benefit those with advanced OA, they are usually reserved for advanced, severe disease in older patients.
At Georgia Knee Institute, we are proud to offer several conservative alternatives to knee surgery for osteoarthritis. We can also recommend safe and low-impact exercises for knee osteoarthritis.
Our minimally invasive outpatient procedures and treatments help alleviate OA knee pain and slow the progression of this degenerative disease.
Below, we cover several non-surgical, treatment alternative knee pain treatments, exercises, therapies, medications, and holistic remedies.
What Is the Best Alternative to Knee Replacement?
Georgia Knee Institute specializes in an alternative to knee surgery for osteoarthritis called genicular artery embolization. This minimally invasive outpatient knee treatment is performed right in our office.
GAE only requires a small incision in your upper thigh for a catheter. No general anesthesia, hospitalization, or significant recovery time is needed, and you can return home the same day.
GAE can provide long-term relief—without surgery—for those with OA knee pain. Moreover, it can be repeated as needed without increasing your risk of knee surgery.
Alternative Knee Pain Treatment Options
If your pain is manageable, you may not need GAE or other non-surgical procedures. Instead, your healthcare provider may recommend using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee osteoarthritis.
Along with conservative treatments like over-the-counter or prescription medications, physical therapy, and regular exercise, steroid knee injections for osteoarthritis can help alleviate your pain so you can get back to enjoying your favorite hobbies and activities without impacting your everyday life.
It is important to know that these injections will temporarily alleviate your pain and discomfort but will not regenerate damaged cartilage or provide long-term relief.
The Best Exercises for Knee Osteoarthritis
If you’re looking for low-impact ways to supplement your knee treatments, strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, and keep yourself active, consider the following exercises and activities. These can be done at home or your local gym and include:
- Hamstring stretches
- Quadricep stretches
- Walking
- Cycling
- Elliptical training
- Swimming
- Tai chi
- Yoga
Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise routine.
Is Heat Good for Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Here are a few tips if you are wondering whether to use heat or ice for osteoarthritis knee pain.
- Heat therapy
Applying heat helps improve circulation and relax muscles in and around the knee joint. The best time to use heat therapy is first thing in the morning to help loosen the knee joint. - Cold therapy
A cold compress helps numb pain, decrease swelling, constrict blood vessels, and block nerve impulses to the knee joint. Use cold therapy as needed throughout the day or after exercises for osteoarthritis to help alleviate symptoms.
What Is the Best Medication for Knee Osteoarthritis?
OA is typically treated with painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
If you’re looking for the best NSAID for knee osteoarthritis, consider one of the following over-the-counter options.
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Diclofenac (Voltaren)
If you need prescription medication to help manage OA knee pain, diacerein is an effective option. However, this may not be appropriate for those with comorbidities or for long-term use.
Consult with an interventional radiologist physician before beginning any new medication. They can help determine the best medicine for your unique medical needs.
What Is the Best Cream for Knee Osteoarthritis?
Several OTC creams help ease the aches and pains associated with arthritis. While not curative, these creams deliver anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ingredients throughout the skin.
We recommend the following options
- Aspercreme Pain Relief Cream with Lidocaine
- Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief Cream
- Hempvana Pain Relief Cream
- IcyHot Advanced Cream
- Biofreeze Roll-On Relieving Gel
If you’re interested in trying CBD cream for osteoarthritis, we recommend CBDfx Muscle & Joint Cream, Cooling Formula (voted the best anti-inflammatory by Healthline).
If you'd like a holistic remedy, Triphala is the best ayurvedic medicine for knee osteoarthritis. Though you may have never heard of this herb, it is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment used as a healing remedy for over 1,000 years.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling caused by arthritis and may combat the breakdown of bone and cartilage.
Managing knee pain doesn't always require surgery. There are various effective non-surgical treatments, remedies, and exercises for osteoarthritis.
Consult an interventional radiologist physician at 678-915-2000 to determine the best approach for your specific condition and medical needs and regain control of your knee health.
