Non-Surgical Treatment for Knee Pain
Knee pain is a discomfort, soreness, or aching condition that occurs in or around the knee joint. It can result from injuries such as sprains or ligament tears, overuse, arthritis, or underlying medical conditions.
Often described as a sharp, dull, or throbbing feeling, knee pain can impact mobility, making everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or bending challenging. And depending on its cause, knee pain may also come with swelling, stiffness, or instability in the joint.
Luckily, many treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, are available to relieve knee pain. Such treatments can drastically improve a patient’s quality of life.
For more answers about knee pain causes or to find the best pain management and treatment options, call us today at (480) 573-0130 or contact us online.
Causes of Knee Pain
There are many different causes of knee pain, from traumatic injury to chronic conditions. The most common causes of knee pain include the following:
Overuse
Overuse injuries frequently cause knee pain, often triggered by repetitive activities like jumping or running during sports. These constant motions put stress on the knee joint, leading to injuries such as:
- Runner knee, which involves patellofemoral pain
- Patellar tendonitis, which involves inflammation of the tendon
- Bursitis, which involves inflammation of the bursae
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that involves swelling and inflammation in joints throughout the body, including the knee. Arthritis may cause knee pain when it leads to osteoarthritis, a condition that can result in pain, stiffness, and swelling. These symptoms tend to worsen over time.
Sprains and Strains
Strains or sprains occur when ligaments are stretched too far. Although the knee has four ligaments, the most commonly injured are the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Sports injuries most frequently cause these, falls, and repetitive movements.
Knee Pain Treatment Without Surgery
Non-surgical treatment is often recommended for knee pain, depending on its cause. In many cases, a combination of approaches may be recommended for the best results. Common non-surgical treatments include:
Bracing
Knee braces support the knees and help keep them in the correct alignment. Many types of braces are available, including ones made of metal or stiff plastic.
Bracing an affected knee may be particularly helpful during certain physical activities, such as sports or exercise. Consult a healthcare provider before selecting a knee brace to determine the best type and to understand how often you should wear it.
Medication
Medication can be used to treat various types of knee pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may be helpful. Other over-the-counter pain medications, including acetaminophen, may also relieve knee pain.
Doctors may also prescribe antirheumatic medications. These drugs treat certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
If pain is severe, doctors may temporarily recommend prescription pain medication. However, prescription medication may have significant side effects and can lead to dependency. Only use prescription pain medication under the direction of a healthcare professional.
R.I.C.E
The R.I.C.E. method is another non-surgical option to relieve knee pain. The steps for this method include:
- Rest: Avoid putting pressure on the knee joint or performing activities that increase knee pain. However, this does not require bed rest—complete inactivity may increase knee stiffness.
- Ice: Applying an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day may decrease inflammation and reduce knee pain.
- Compression: Compression involves placing a bandage or compression band around the knee joint to reduce fluid buildup. Avoid wrapping the compression band too tightly and cutting off circulation to the knee.
- Elevation: Elevating the knee joint above the heart while sleeping may help decrease swelling and speed healing.
Although the R.I.C.E. is helpful for pain caused by sprains or strains, check with a healthcare professional to determine if this method is appropriate for other knee pain causes.
Lifestyle Modifications
Knee pain relief without surgery may include making certain lifestyle modifications such as:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight can place additional stress on your knees and may contribute to knee pain. Maintaining a healthy weight may also relieve pain for conditions such as arthritis.
- Exercise: Regular exercise not only supports weight loss but also boosts strength and flexibility. Strengthening the muscles around the knee can provide better support for the joint while staying active helps reduce arthritis-related stiffness and maintain the knee’s range of motion.
- Don't smoke: Smoking reduces blood flow and may slow the natural healing process. Speak to a healthcare provider about smoking cessation options.
- Consider supplements: Supplements may help reduce pain. However, speak to a healthcare provider before taking any supplements to ensure no contraindications for particular supplements. Supplements that may help decrease inflammation and reduce knee pain include glucosamine, chondroitin, fish oil, and turmeric.
Physical Therapy
A healthcare professional may recommend physical therapy for certain types and causes of knee pain. Physical therapy involves exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee to increase stability and relieve pain. Physical therapists may also use additional modalities, including ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and kinesiology taping.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy can help ease knee pain. Cold therapy, like ice packs or ice baths, reduces inflammation and pain by constricting blood vessels in the affected area.
Heat therapy works by dilating the blood vessels, which promotes blood flow to the area and can help reduce muscle spasms and stiffness. It may include applying hot compresses, a heating pad, or a sauna.
Cold therapy is most effective for acute injuries to reduce inflammation, while heat therapy works well for easing stiffness in the knee.
Joint Injections
Non-surgical knee treatment may also include injections. An injection placed in the knee joint may use a combination of numbing medications and steroids to reduce inflammation, causing more efficient pain relief or helping diagnose an underlying issue.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee pain targets the saphenous nerve, providing sensation to the front area of the knee. The process uses heat to generate damage to the nerve fibers, disrupting pain signals sent to the brain. By disrupting the nerve's ability to transmit pain signals, the procedure can help reduce pain in that area.
Genicular Artery Embolization
Genicular artery embolization can also reduce knee pain by targeting specific arteries responsible for supplying blood to the knee joint. The procedure involves injecting an embolic agent into the artery, which blocks the blood vessels and closes them off. This subsequently reduces inflammation and knee pain.
FAQ
How Long Does Knee Pain Take to Heal?
The healing time for knee pain varies widely, depending on the underlying cause. For instance, knee sprains and strains may heal in about two to four weeks1. Knee pain due to major trauma may take several months to heal.
The time it takes for knee pain to heal will also depend on the type of treatment an individual undergoes. Different methods may take longer than others.
Will I need Knee Surgery?
Non-surgical treatments are effective for many people with knee pain, offering solutions for various causes. However, a healthcare provider may recommend surgery, such as a knee replacement in severe cases.
Can You Prevent Knee Pain?
It may not always be possible to prevent knee pain. However, there are ways to decrease the risk, including:
- Warming up properly before exercise
- Wearing the correct protective equipment required for certain activities
- Giving your body time to recover after intense exercise
- Getting regular exercise
- Following a knee pain treatment plan
- Switching to low-impact activities as needed
- Using assisted devices, such as canes
Summary
Knee pain can become chronic and significantly impact an individual's functioning and quality of life. Non-surgical treatment options for knee pain include a variety of home care practices and minimally invasive office procedures.
If you have questions regarding your treatment options, we're happy to help. To schedule an appointment, please contact Advanced Spine and Pain today!
Schedule an appointment online or contact us at 480-573-0130.
Source
Knee sprain. (2023). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/knee-sprain