Medically Reviewed by Eric Heimberger, MD

Nagging knee or hip pain can be mentally aggravating while keeping you from enjoying life.  McLeod Orthopedic Surgeon Eric Heimberger, M.D. provides a list of more than a half dozen more conservative, non-surgical options that might help you avoid surgery:

 Key points to remember:

Before an orthopedic specialist turns to surgery, they usually will try one or more of these conservative treatments:

• Anti-inflammatory medications – Motrin, ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, Celebrex and Tylenol
• Modify your activity – Avoid activities that make symptoms worse: kneeling, squatting or repetitive stair climbing.
  Cortisone injections – typically meant for the knee, offer temporary relief from symptoms for a couple weeks to several months.
• Visco supplementation – also called gel shot, is used only for the knee, primarily for patients with mild arthritis.
• Physical therapy – helps patients withknee or hip arthritis regain some mobility and decrease pain.
• Bracing – an option for the knee. However, some braces are very bulky and uncomfortable in the warm weather.
• Weight loss – can reduce stress on the knee and hip joints, delaying the immediate need for surgery.

Also, check out these helpful articles:

Nine Things You Should Know About Joint Replacement 

4 Pointers to Make the Most of Your Knee or Hip Joint Replacement

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