If you feel like your knee isn’t as stable as you need it to be, you might need to visit a knee surgeon. Don’t be alarmed, though. Physicians will typically always try non-surgical approaches before diving into surgical ones. While your treatment plan will depend on your specific conditions and symptoms, below are some common recommendations that knee surgeons make.
Changes in Lifestyle
There are many things that people do in their everyday lives that can negatively impact the knee. These include certain job tasks, high-impact sports, high-impact exercises like running, and more. Additionally, being overweight can cause issues with the knee.
After discerning your habits and the potential causes of your knee issues, your knee surgeon will help you develop a plan for changes. You might need to modify your favorite exercise, apply for a new position at work, work towards weight loss, or something similar. Often, changes in your daily life can create positive changes in the knee joint.
Targeted Exercises
Your knee surgeon will also probably recommend exercises that will help strengthen your knee without worsening your condition. These often include riding a stationary bike, leg lifts, knee extensions, and more. You might go through a full physical therapy plan or just follow the guidelines at home.
Dietary and Supplemental Recommendations
The foods you take in can either help or hurt your body. Sometimes, simple dietary changes can help your body repair itself, relieving your pain without further intervention.
There are also dietary supplements available to help address your joints, such as glucosamine. If your knee surgeon feels like adding a supplement to your diet, they’ll recommend the best one for your needs.
Devices
Sometimes, a simple brace can provide the stability that you need to get through your daily life. These come in a variety of materials and are made to brace the sides of your knee joint. This pressure helps to realign the joint, which can prevent the bones from rubbing one another.
In some cases, non-surgical approaches can address your knee instability and let you carry on with your regular activities. However, when these approaches do not provide the desired results, surgery is typically required for longer-lasting results. Rest assured, though, that this is the last resort. You have the freedom and ability to try every other method first before choosing a surgical solution. Just remember that the longer you wait to address the issue, the more likely surgery will be the answer.