Dr. Ankit Meshram

Orthopaedic Excellence

Non-Surgical Knee Care in Mumbai: When Surgery May Not Be the First Option


Knee pain affects one’s ability to walk, exercise, climb, work, and perform other regular duties. Knee surgery might be a solution to certain cases of knee pain, although it is not the best alternative. There are various cases where non-surgical knee treatment could be considered before performing a knee operation, depending on the causes of knee pain, severity, age of the person, activity level, and health of the joints.

Dr Ankit Meshram aims to find out the cause of your pain in the knee and give you treatment accordingly. In case the patient prefers not to go for surgery, it is always wise to seek an orthopaedic specialist such as Dr. Ankit Meshram to get his opinion.

What Is Non-Surgical Knee Care?

Non-surgical knee care treatment that is used to manage knee pain, improve joint function, keep you mobile, and solve the problem without surgery. The treatment is different for each person and will depend on the cause of the knee pain involved in the injury—such as arthritis, a ligament injury, cartilage issues, overuse, inflammation, or another cause.

Your doctor might suggest one or more methods based on your symptoms and physical exam. Sometimes, X-rays or an MRI scan might be ordered as well.

It’s not just about the short-term relief of pain. The goal of knee care is to help patients move their knee as well as get back into their normal activities.

Common Reasons for Knee Pain 

There are several different causes of pain in the knee. Some common conditions include:

  • Knee osteoarthritis
  • Meniscus injuries
  • Ligament injuries
  • Patellofemoral pain
  • Tendon-related problems
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Around-the-knee swelling (knee swelling)
  • Cartilage damage
  • Age-related joint changes

However, there are various conditions that have different treatments, and so treating persistent knee pain yourself may not help you identify the problem. A thorough orthopaedic evaluation can aid in determining the cause and best course of treatment.

Non-Surgical Options For Knee Treatment

Depending on the diagnosis, several approaches may be considered as part of non-surgical knee care in Mumbai. 

1. Physiotherapy and Exercise

Physiotherapy can help to improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and joint movement and can be targeted for this. Exercise around the knee and hip can help to support it and make daily activities easier.

The physiotherapist can create exercises based on the patient’s condition, ability to move, and recovery goals.

2. Activity Modification

Certain activities may cause increased knee pain, especially if the knee joint is irritated and/or overworked in some way. Temporary modifications of high-impact activities may reduce knee joint stress.

This does not mean that the individual will be fully inactive. Many patients may still be able to do low-impact exercises.

3. Weight Management

If you are overweight, then controlling your weight will be an important consideration in treating your knees. Reducing the overload placed on the knees can reduce the stress put on the knee joints when walking and ascending.

The doctor will be able to recommend the appropriate course of action based on the person’s overall health and condition.

4. Medications

Depending on the cause of pain and the patient’s medical history, a doctor may suggest taking medication that will help to control pain or inflammation. Medicines should only be used as advised by a professional medical practitioner, especially if they are to be used over a long period.

5. Injection-Based Treatments

In some cases, injections might be used to treat knee pain. This will depend on the diagnosis and individual case. Certain treatments are not appropriate for all patients, and an orthopaedic evaluation is recommended before treatment.

6. Orthobiologic Approaches

Patients may also be considered for orthobiologic therapy. These involve using biological materials or substances derived from the body or other biological sources that are intended for the augmentation and/or support of the treatment of some musculoskeletal diseases.

An orthobiologic treatment may be appropriate for certain patients depending on the underlying diagnosis, extent of joint damage and other factors.

When Surgery May Not Be the First Option 

Not all people who experience knee pain need surgery. When the condition may be amenable to a conservative approach to treatment, a physician might consider starting with a non-operative treatment first.

Patients with some early or moderate degenerative changes may be treated with a combination of exercise, physiotherapy, activity modification, medication and other appropriate treatment options.

This does not, however, mean that surgery is always to be avoided. If there is a considerable amount of structural damage, severe symptoms, major functional limitation, or failure of appropriate non-surgical treatment, surgery may be an important consideration.

The right choice isn’t just one that is based on knee pain; it is based on the diagnosis of the patient.

When Should You See a Knee Specialist in Mumbai? 

If the knee pain is persistent and is interfering with daily life, it should not be ignored. If you have any of these symptoms, seek an orthopaedic doctor’s advice:

  • Ongoing or recurrent knee pain
  • Swelling or stiffness
  • Problems walking or going up and down stairs
  • Reduced knee movement
  • Discomfort with exercise
  • Instability or a feeling that the knee may give way
  • Symptoms after a sports accident/sport injury

A timely assessment will allow the cause of the symptoms to be determined and the patient to avoid inappropriate therapies.

Choosing the Right Knee Care Approach

The appropriate treatment would vary depending on your age, activity levels, medical background, type of knee problem, the severity of your symptoms, and the imaging results.

Dr. Ankit Meshram is an orthopedic specialist in Mumbai specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of people who have problems with their knees and joints. An individualized evaluation may be done to see whether non-surgical treatment, therapy, or surgery is ideal for your situation.

An evaluation by an expert doctor is the first thing to do when searching for non-surgical knee care in Mumbai. Do not jump to the conclusion that you need surgery just because of your knee pain; visit an orthopedic doctor and know your options.

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