Knee Replacement Alternatives
There are a number of alternatives to knee replacement surgery that sufferers of osteoarthritis should consider before getting a total knee replacement. As the cost of knee replacement surgery increases in the United States, many people are exploring new methods for arthritis relief.
Most knee replacement alternatives focus on limiting pain, rather than treating the cause. Some options include anti-inflammatory medications, lifestyle changes, and other treatments – which can often reduce the pain caused by osteoarthritis, and delay the need for a knee replacement. In the intermediate stages of osteoarthritis, many patients are given joint fluid therapy, also known as “chicken shots” or “rooster juice“. Chicken shots for knee pain relief are a currently a very popular alternative to total knee replacement surgery.
Cortisone shots and Synvisc injections are also often succesful in limiting knee pain in the short term. However, in many cases, patients who are seeking a long-term solution to osteoarthritis should consider surgical treatment.
Before getting total knee replacement surgery, consult your doctor about some of these less-expensive alternatives.
In cooperation with the Taiwan Task Force for Medical Travel