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Knee pain treatment; Surgery Not Necessary
Tags: knee pain exercises, knee pain relief, knee pain treatment, knee surgery, pain treatment, physical therapists Prescott, Prescott physical therapy, tear of meniscus
Knee pain is a common and oftentimes due to a meniscus tear or osteoarthritis. Knee pain treatment commonly involves arthroscopic surgery to remove the torn piece of meniscus and to clean out the joint. A study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that pseudo surgery is just as effective as the actual procedure. If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate knee arthritis consider conservative treatment options prior to surgery. If you have been diagnosed with a meniscus tear consider conservative treatment options prior to surgery. In certain instances surgery is required. A torn ACL that results in knee instability often times necessitates surgical intervention. Severe arthritis that results in excruciating, activity limiting pain may require a knee replacement. The medical literature is clear though, mild to moderate arthritis and meniscus tears can be treated conservatively. This is good news for those with knee pain. Following surgery rehabilitation is often necessary and takes four to six weeks. Simply strengthening the muscles around the knee-joint and staying active has been shown just as effective as surgery for meniscus tears.
Previous research has shown that physical therapy and exercise is just as effective as knee surgery at reducing pain and disability when compared to arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear. If you have knee pain, explore your options. Don’t think a surgical intervention is the only effective knee pain treatment. Unless you have SEVERE knee osteoarthritis and can barely walk without excruciating pain, chances are some simple exercises and a walking program will reduce your symptoms just as much as a surgery.
If there are range of motion restrictions, that is your knee will not bend or straighten completely, some manual therapy may help. Manual therapy directed to the knee, hip, and ankle will help improve knee range of motion prior to beginning any exercise program.