Medically Reviewed By: Dr. David Warmflash (MD), Dr. Omar Samara (MD)
14 Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery
Are you seeking alternatives to knee replacement surgery to combat nagging knee pain? Let's look at 14 of these non-surgical treatments for knee arthritis and find out if they truly work. Read on.
If you have knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement is an option. But this option is not suitable for all.
Younger patients may delay it due to the limited lifespan of artificial knees, usually 15 to 20 years.[1]
Fortunately, there are several non-surgical options to relieve knee pain.
Here, we explore 14 different options for the better health of an arthritic patient. You’ll see a range from home remedies to conventional methods to new-age non-surgical solutions.
From these, you can choose to put your faith in any that feels and fits the best.
Did you know?
Over 32 million US adults are living with osteoarthritis. Since there is no cure, they manage it with exercise, therapy, medications, and injections.[2]
Alternative Treatment for Knee Replacement - Reviews
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem Cell Therapy
Knee Arthroscopy
Discover non-surgical solutions for knee osteoarthritis relief. Options range from home remedies to advanced treatments, offering alternatives to joint replacement surgery.
Latest Knee Replacement Alternatives
1. Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy uses the body's healing processes to repair and slow tissue deterioration, including cartilage.
Stem Cell Therapy: A Novel Treatment
Stem Cells for Chronic Pain
Recent studies demonstrate its effectiveness in treating mild, moderate, and severe knee osteoarthritis.[3] However, it's important to note that the US FDA has not yet approved stem cell therapy for arthritis.[4]
However, in countries such as Mexico, official regulatory authorities such as COFEPRIS approve stem cell therapy programs.
Read the complete guide to affordable and legal stem cell therapy in Mexico
2. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- PRP therapy harnesses your body's healing power to regenerate tissues.
- Research indicates PRP is effective for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.[3]
- It offers pain relief and improved activity levels for a year after one injection.[4] Our partner clinics offer affordable and safe PRP Therapy for those who are suffering from knee issues.
- However, the evidence of its efficacy is insufficient & requires more research.
Ultrasound-guided PRP
The process involves three steps:
Draw blood from the patient, then spin it at high speed in a centrifuge.
Extract platelets from the whole blood (procedure time: 1-2 mins).
A blend of PRP and local anesthetic is injected directly into the inflamed tissue.
Note: PRP therapy doesn't provide instant pain relief. The body needs time to heal and respond to the treatment.
3. Prolotherapy
- Prolotherapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses irritants to treat pain in tendons, joints, and ligaments.
- Prolotherapy uses substances like dextrose, morrhuate sodium, and PRP.[5]
- Research also shows that prolotherapy reduces pain and stiffness.
- It works by boosting your body’s ability to repair itself naturally.
Prolotherapy
4. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections
- Hyaluronic acid is similar to a substance produced endogenously.
- It has special cells in joints called type B synovial cells, which acts like oil for your joints.
- HA injections provide up to six months of pain relief. Also it improved the joint function in knee osteoarthritis patients.[6]
- It's injected directly into the knee joint, typically around 2 ml.[7]
HA Injection
5. Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) – Minimally invasive
- GAE is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical intervention for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
- The procedure is performed by an Interventional Radiologist (IR).
- GAE restricts blood flow to inflamed knee linings.[8]
- This reduces inflammation and may alleviate or eliminate knee pain in osteoarthritis.
Genicular Artery Embolization
Doctors use an angiogram to see the blood vessels in your knee.
A catheter is used to locate blood vessels causing knee pain.
Doctors inject a special material to reduce blood flow in problem areas.
6. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - Minimally Invasive
- RFA is a minimally invasive knee replacement method that destroys the sensory nerves.
- The nerves transmit pain signals from the knee to the brain.
- The method is non-invasive in nature and has a low complication rate. Thus making it an excellent alternative to knee replacement surgery.
- Research indicates RFA is safe and effective for osteoarthritis pain and knee function.
- The FDA also approves the procedure.
RFA
X-rays or ultrasounds are used to guide the entire procedure.
A radiofrequency probe is inserted near the target nerve.
The probe heats the area for 90–120 seconds to damage the nerve.
The heat blocks pain signals from the nerve, reducing chronic pain.
Note: Pain relief can last 3–6 months, sometimes up to a year.[9]
Conventional Knee Replacement Alternatives
7. Medication and Steroid Shots
- Osteoarthritis pain can be treated with NSAIDs like diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen[10].
- The most common side effects of anti-inflammatory painkillers are stomachache and indigestion.
- Only steroid injections have been proven to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms of the knee temporarily.[11]
Medication and Steroid Shots
8. Acupuncture (Therapeutic Option)
- Acupuncture uses thin, sharp needles to alter the energy flow within the body.
- It brings relief from joint pain and has a low risk.
- The latest guideline recommends 4-8 weeks of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis.[12]
- The Arthritis Foundation guidelines support its use.[13]
Acupuncture
9. Physical Therapy
- Weight-bearing activities can help protect knee joints and reduce osteoarthritis risk.
- Long-term physical activity helps cartilage regenerate and stay healthy.
- The approach may include ice and heat therapy, neuromuscular training, and stretching exercises.
Stretching
10. Assisting Aids
Assisting aids include walking canes and braces.
These devices perform the following functions:
- Improve mobility
- Better stability and support
- Help prevent knee pain and inflammation from getting worse.
Knee Brace
Consult top doctors abroad
11. Ancient Medicine (Ayurveda)
- Ayurveda comprises massage, meditation, exercise, and a nutritional diet.
- Pain-reducing treatment through specific herbs is suggested for lubrication and
strengthening of joints.
- Recent research found that Ayurveda notably improved knee pain and function in severe osteoarthritis (Grade IV).[14]
Leg Massage - Ayurveda
12. Weight-Loss Strategy
- Obesity can put excess stress on the knee joint.
- A 10-15 pound weight loss in obese young individuals significantly reduces their future risk of osteoarthritis.
- Bariatric surgery can also reduce excessive load on weight-bearing joints.
- This can help reduce osteoarthritic symptoms such as difficulty walking and joint pain.
Diet Plan for Weight Loss
13. Exercise and Yoga
- Maintaining a lifestyle that includes regular exercising and yoga could help your joints and knees in the long run.
- Start including jogging, stretching, cardio, and basic ground exercises as a part of your daily routine.
- You can also try yoga poses like downward dog, sun salutations, and warrior poses that help maintain posture and knee health.
Downward Dog Yoga Pose
14. Unispacer - Minimally Invasive
A Unispacer or Unicondylar Interpositional Spacer is one of the less invasive alternatives to knee replacement surgery.
A Unispacer is a device inserted into the affected knee joint.[15]
It serves as a spacer to separate worn knee surfaces.
This has been discontinued since 2011, so it is wise to check its availability before opting for it.
Unispacer
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Surgical Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery
Osteotomy
- Osteotomy involves removing weight from the affected part of the knee.
- Hence, this weight shift helps in relieving symptoms.
- This procedure helps if there is less damage on only one side of the knee.
- However, it works better on younger people.[16]
Learn more about knee osteotomy surgery and its benefits.
Knee Osteotomy
Arthroscopy
- Arthroscopy can repair a meniscus tear, ligament, bone, or cartilage inside the knee.
- It involves the use of a camera inserted through small incisions.
- Still, this technique may only help for some types of knee problems.
- It’s possible to go home a few hours after the procedure.
Knee Arthroscopy
Not sure if you want to go for surgical alternatives to knee replacement surgery? Get your case medically reviewed by our team of doctors.
Comparing Alternate Therapies
- Physical therapy & medications are budget-friendly, but their effectiveness varies.
- Injections like corticosteroids, HLA, PRP, and stem cell therapies offer potential pain relief but are more expensive.
- Braces & supports are cost-effective & less invasive, though their effectiveness can differ.
It depends on your knee's condition, health, and budget, so consult your doctor for the best plan.
Cost of Alternative Treatment for Knee Replacement
The table below compares the costs of some popular knee surgery alternatives. Take a look.
| Treatment | Cost |
| Stem Cell Therapy | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| PRP Therapy** | $600 - $1,500 |
| Prolotherapy** | $200 |
| HLA Injections | $300 - $850 |
| Medications | >$15 |
| Corticosteroids^ | $120 - $140 |
| Acupuncture | $75 - $200 |
| Physical Therapy** | $50 - $350 |
| Assisting Aids (knee brace, walking cane) | $30 - $300 |
| Ayurveda** | $100 - $160 |
| Osteotomy | <$6,000 |
| Arthroscopy | $3,200 - $6,700 |
| Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | >$30,000 |
First Knee: $10,000; Subsequent: $5,000 per joint, **per session, ^per shot |
|
*Prices are case-dependent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some effective ways to fix knee pain without surgery?
Stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid injections, and steroid shots are some of the nonsurgical methods to manage knee pain.
Is acupuncture effective for knee pain?
Acupuncture may help reduce pain and inflammation by promoting blood flow and relaxation in the affected area.
The Upshot
As you can see, these 14 alternatives to knee replacement surgery save costs and alleviate symptoms. Moreover, a lot of risks are involved in knee replacement surgery.In that case, why not give them a try? Ultimately, you and your physician should determine the best possible option.
But remember, there is a great chance to return to your pain-free mobile life without knee replacement.
References
1. Stat news: Common injections don’t help knee osteoarthritis more than placebo
2. MDPI: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies Approved by Regulatory Agencies around the World
3. OrthoInfo: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
4. Forbes: Platelet Rich Plasma: Everything You Need To Know
5. National Library of Medicine: A Comprehensive Update of Prolotherapy
6. National Library Of Medicine: Role and Effectiveness of Intra-articular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
7. Arthritis: Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
8. NCBI: GAE for treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain
9. National Library of Medicine: Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Knee, Hip, and Shoulder Pain
10. National Library of Medicine: Osteoarthritis of the knee: Learn More – Which painkillers help in osteoarthritis of the knee?
11. National Library of Medicine: Osteoarthritis of the knee: Learn More – Do knee injections help?
12. BMJ Journal: Effect of 4 weeks vs 8 weeks of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis in China: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
13. Rheumatology Advisor: Arthritis Foundation Guidelines for Hand, Hip, and Knee Osteoarthritis
14. ResearchGate: Ayurvedic Management of Osteoarthritis Knee with Grade IV Severity and Obesity
15. eMedicine Health: Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
16. ScienceDirect: Management of knee osteoarthritis using percutaneous high tibial osteotomy
