Arthritis of the Knee: Why Minimally Invasive Care May Be Your Next Step

When you have arthritis in your knees, movement becomes painful and limits your ability to function. While surgeries like total joint replacement can help, rarely are these your first form of treatment. Here’s where minimally invasive care fits.

Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic condition, develops in your knees as the cartilage layer on the ends of bone starts to wear down. Soon, you’re suffering from pain, reduced mobility, stiffness, and swelling.

Persistent knee pain makes it hard to walk, work, sleep, or even to enjoy life to its fullest. At Midwest Innovative Pain Management in Dyer, Indiana, we can help you deal with the effects of pain from arthritis of the knee to restore your independence and mobility.

While there are surgical solutions to advanced cases of joint deterioration, it’s not a progression from over-the-counter pain medications to under the surgeon’s knife.

There are plenty of intermediate treatments that can bridge that gap, postponing surgery to the point where there are no other alternatives.

In this month’s blog, we look at minimally invasive pain management approaches, treatments that can expand your mobility and your ability to exercise, an important part of slowing the progression of arthritis.

When conservative care isn’t enough

Osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis can be degenerative and without cure. This means long-term pain management until joint replacement surgery becomes viable.

Generally, this starts with conservative care, treatments like activity modification, physical therapy, consumer-grade pain relief, and other noninvasive therapies.

Over time, these measures may no longer prove effective as your condition progresses. When knee pain once again becomes persistent, it’s time to up the level of care.

Minimally invasive pain management

It’s a long way from physical therapy to a surgeon’s scalpel, and minimally invasive care fits between these extremes. These minimally invasive techniques include injectables and other specialized therapies that go beyond what you’re doing now to stay on top of your pain.

Depending on your condition, we may use targeted injections to relieve inflammation and/or pain, or we may work directly on nerve tissue. Your treatment plan is typically based on a physical examination, symptoms, diagnostic imaging, and your overall health.

The goal of minimally invasive pain management is, fundamentally, to make your life easier. With pain under control, you can participate in more therapeutic activities to improve mobility and strengthen your body.

Building muscle in your legs can shift some of the load away from your knee joints.

Are you ready for the next level?

Dr. Maher Fattouh and nurse practitioner Anastasia Yorkman recommend that it’s time to consider minimally invasive care when:

Conservative treatment no longer produces sufficient pain relief
Medication side effects become significant
Pain limits your ability to care for yourself or your family
Arthritis interferes with your ability to enjoy life

Don’t assume that surgery is the next option after conservative care. Knee arthritis remains manageable even after your current plan becomes ineffective. A comprehensive approach, including minimally invasive treatments, can delay surgical joint replacement for years.

Contact our team at Midwest Innovative Pain Management to find out more about the pain therapies that are right for you. Call 219-235-3148 or click here to request an appointment. A pain-free life waits ahead, so book your visit today.