If you have been diagnosed with arthritis in your knee, you may be wondering if there are ways to avoid having a knee replacement. While knee replacement surgery can be an effective treatment for advanced arthritis, physiotherapy can also play an important role in managing your symptoms and potentially delaying the need for surgery. This is something that I am so passionate about and a problem I see regularly in clinic. The reality is that physiotherapy will not change the arthritis in your knee but what it does do for most of the patients I see is dramatically reduce the pain they experience and give them back a knee that functions much better. In this article, we will discuss how physiotherapy can help you avoid knee replacement surgery.
Improve Knee Joint Mobility and Flexibility
Physiotherapy can help to improve the mobility and flexibility of your knee joint. Using various techniques, such as stretching and range of motion exercises, can help to increase the flexibility of your knee joint, which can help to reduce pain and improve your ability to perform daily activities. Stretch with caution too much may aggravate things – listen to your knee.
Strengthen the Muscles Supporting Your Knee Joint
Work to develop an exercise program that strengthens the muscles supporting your knee joint. By improving muscle strength, you can help to reduce the load on your knee joint, which can help to reduce pain and improve your knee joint function. Learn how to strengthen your Arthritic Knee without aggravating it in my FREE Masterclass – click to learn more.
Improve Your Balance and Stability
Poor balance and stability can increase your risk of falls, which can exacerbate your knee pain and lead to further joint damage. A physiotherapist can help you to improve your balance and stability through exercises and training, which can reduce your risk of falls and improve your knee joint.
Improve Alignment and Biomechanics
Often people have extra strain going through their knees because of problems with their hips and feet. Commonly seen problems are weakness around the hip that creates strain through the inside of the knee. Flat feet can also effect the knee changing the pressure and strain through it. By looking at this bigger picture you can achieve even better results with the knee and it’s often an element that is overlooked. I currently offer a biomechanical assessment as a bonus on the Arthritic Knee Program.
Pain Management
Physiotherapy can help you to manage your knee pain by learning how to best manage your knee, heat, ice, painkillers, footwear, reduce excess body weight and learn how to manage your activity level. A physiotherapist can also teach you how to use braces and walking aids, to reduce the load on your knee joint and relieve pain. I address all of these points and more in the Arthritic Knee Program, you may also find these blogs useful. Would a Brace help my Arthritic knee? Would a stick or crutch help your arthritic knees? Footwear for Arthritic Knees: Are Birkenstocks and Hoka Shoes Good Choices?
Delay the Need for Knee Replacement Surgery
By improving your knee joint mobility, muscle strength, balance, and pain management, physiotherapy can potentially delay the need for knee replacement surgery. Physiotherapy can help you to manage your arthritis symptoms and improve your knee joint function. If you would like to find out more about the medical treatment options available take a look at this blog Medical Treatments for Knee Arthritis: An Overview
Complete Rehab Package For Your Knee
After years of working with people to improve their Arthritic knees, I have developed an easy-to-use Online Program with everything you need to transform your knee. Take a look at the Program there are case studies and I also have a FREE Masterclass for you to join in with.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for arthritis in the knee and can help you avoid or delay knee replacement surgery. By improving your knee joint mobility, muscle strength, balance, and pain management, physiotherapy can manage your arthritis symptoms, potentially delaying the need for surgery and prolonging the lifespan of your natural knee joint. If you are experiencing knee pain or have been diagnosed with arthritis, don’t despair there is so much you can do to regain your freedom. Take a look at my online program or join me for my FREE Masterclass and learn more about how to keep it happy and the best exercises.
Take care, Helen
Helen Manders BSc (Hons) MCSP HCPC
Chartered Physiotherapist Treating Arthritic Knees Since 2001
