Nonsurgical Treatments
Nonsurgical treatments for injuries of the knee
Injections may be used to reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with knee injuries like cartilage tears, degenerative meniscus and arthritis-related issues. Steroid injection can help improve function, and for less complicated first-time injuries, can be effective as part of a nonsurgical treatment program, which may include wearing a knee brace and participating in physical therapy. Your physician may use musculoskeletal ultrasound to help guide your injection into the joint. Musculoskeletal ultrasound improves accuracy when treating you with steroid injections in the office, and it is used for deeper joints, joints with poor anatomic landmarks and joints with little to no joint space. This technique uses sound waves to create images of the joint and to identify the needle used to inject the joint helping the physician guide it to the affected area. This technique is done in the office and does not expose you to radiation.
Natural Joint Fluid Treatment
This treatment, also known as hyaluronic acid injections, uses an injectable substance made from the building blocks of cartilage to create the type of cushioning cartilage provides. It is primarily used for arthritis of the knee. Those who respond to this treatment can experience relief for up to six months or longer, and this treatment can be repeated if pain returns.
Depending upon the type of knee problem you have, we may suggest lifestyle changes to help reduce the pain and stress on your knees. Your exercise prescription might include low- or no-impact exercises such as swimming or biking, avoiding activities with running and/or twisting and adding moves to improve the strength of your quadriceps. It is also believed that strengthening your hamstrings and gluteals is important to knee health as well. This is part of a current research study at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Lifestyle changes like losing excess weight can also reduce the risk of knee problems.