Knee surgery is serious, as it is invasive. This does not mean that it is a bad decision to get knee surgery, but it means you need to have exhausted other options and not decide upon it lightly. An experienced knee surgeon, like one from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, will be able to give his or her own opinion on what the best solution to your pain would be. There are many different options, but if you need surgery, you should listen to the medical professionals who are recommending it.
You Can Try Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may or may not help with your knee pain. If it does, that is great news because you will be able to avoid going under the knife. If not, you will be better prepared for the surgery, then for post op when you do physical therapy after your surgery is done.
You Can Make Lifestyle Changes
Do you know what is the root cause of your knee pain? If it is from a rigorous job, like being a mover or working in construction, you could consider making a career shift. If this is not an option, there are still things you can try to do every day to make work easier. You could even see a physical therapist who can offer suggestions of how to do your work in an ergonomically correct way that will not harm your knees as much. He or she could also offer stretches and other little techniques to use during the day while at work, and when you get home from work at the end of the day. These techniques may be enough to help you put off knee surgery.
Other lifestyle changes include diet and exercise. If you are overweight, for example, you are putting extra strain on your knees and the muscles and joints surrounding them. Exercise and stretching can also aid in promoting healing in the knees. These techniques may take some time, but can be totally worth it in the long run. They will also even be helpful if you end up needing surgery, as your knees will benefit from the lessened pressure.
Contact a Knee Surgeon Today to Learn More
You should always speak to your primary care physician, then a knee surgeon to determine what the best route will be for you to take. Knee surgery should only be an option to certain conditions, as it only helps with certain things. Your doctors can all work together to find a solution to your pain.