Individuals with persistent knee pain often ask the question of how to avoid knee surgery? And the answer to HOW will depend upon what is going on and to what extent that person is willing to rehab to avoid knee surgery?

So let’s take a couple different scenarios here…

One, a middle aged person starts to slowly notice a nagging discomfort on the inside of their knee. They start to have some trouble walking down steps, squatting, and are not able to run presently. Their medical experience begins with a visit to an orthopedic who does x-rays and an MRI and tells the person they have a meniscus issue. They are told they need surgery, BUT the person is not interested, so…they explore the conservative option. On exam, find the person has some hip and thigh weakness as well as muscle tightness. And after a few weeks of rehab, the person is back to all their activities pain-free. This person is now someone who has some “pathology” but no pain. (This is very common).

In scenario two, we now have a slightly older person lets say in their early 60s. They also visit an orthopedic first and are told they will need a knee replacement when the pain is too bad. This person also has some trouble with stairs, squatting, and getting down on the floor to play with their grandkids. Like the person above they are not interested in surgery and want to remain very active. They also explore their conservative option to see if they can avoid surgery. And like the case above, this person also can improve their thigh strength as well as their balance. After putting in several weeks of rehab this person is also pain-free and enjoying life again.

How can this be? Two cases who supposedly need surgery are able to rehab successfully. Will it last? Is it just prolonging the inevitable and they will need surgery later?

It is possible because “pathology” does not equal symptoms or function. These individuals were willing to put in the work and did not worry about any “pathology”. See mindset and beliefs are highly related to patient response. If someone believes they will get better, their odds of doing so go up. As for change or regression over time – that we cannot know, BUT if those individuals keep up with their programs there is no reason the might not be able to put off any surgical intervention indefinitely.

Interested in learning if you (or someone you know) could put off surgery as well and live life again with less pain? If so, then click this LINK to request a call to further discuss how this can be possible.