Are you struggling with chronic knee pain? Whether it’s the result of a sports injury, osteoarthritis or some unknown condition, knee pain can negatively impact day-to-day life. To make things worse, there are many misconceptions about knee pain that prevent people from finding effective treatment. In this blog, we’ll debunk some of these popular knee pain myths. We’ll also explore quality, non-surgical solutions and how Atlanta Medical Clinic can help you achieve knee pain relief.
Myth #1: Knee Pain Is Just a Normal Part of Aging
It’s common for older adults to wave off knee pain as a normal part of aging. While age does increase the risk of certain knee pain conditions (such as osteoarthritis), this doesn’t mean that knee pain is inevitable. For starters, not every older adult experiences chronic pain. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle habits and previous injuries all affect your risk. To reduce this risk, you should implement the following preventive measures:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Engaging in low-impact exercises (i.e., swimming or cycling)
- Wearing supportive shoes to minimize stress
If you do end up developing chronic knee pain, don’t ignore it. There are many non-surgical treatments that can slow the progression of age-related knee issues, helping preserve joint function and mobility.
Myth #2: Surgery Is the Only Option for Severe Knee Pain
People often delay knee pain treatment because they assume that surgery is the only option. Although surgery is recommended in certain cases, many types of knee pain can actually be addressed through non-surgical treatments. These include the following:
- Injection-based therapy
- Alternative therapies
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes
In addition to reducing pain, these treatments promote long-term knee health and strength. For some people, they help delay surgeries; in others, they can eliminate the need for surgical intervention altogether.
Myth #3: Rest Is the Best Treatment for Knee Pain
If you’ve ever sustained an injury, it’s natural to want to rest after. While rest is crucial for certain stages of knee pain recovery, prolonged rest can actually make things worse. Inactivity leads to problems such as muscle weakness, joint stiffness and decreased joint functionality. In other words, not using your knee can weaken the joint and make it even more susceptible to pain.
Of course, you also don’t want to overuse your knee or risk injuring it further. To help ensure an effective recovery, it’s important to engage in physical therapy and safe knee movements. These often include low-impact exercises, such as walking and stretching.
Myth #4: Physical Therapy Won’t Help with Chronic Knee Pain
Physical therapy is usually a recommended part of knee pain recovery. Despite this, many people wave off physical therapy or assume it’s not helpful. Unfortunately, this misconception delays relief and can even worsen overall health. Not only is physical therapy a crucial part of treatment, but it also provides the following benefits:
- Long-term knee pain relief
- Improved mobility
- Increased joint strength
Through a combination of strengthening exercises, stretching routines and manual therapy, physical therapy helps restore knee function, reduces pain, and prevents future injuries. And treatments are typically personalized to the patient’s needs, which helps maximize results.
Myth #5: Knee Pain Will Go Away on Its Own Without Treatment
In cases of minor pain, it’s possible for knee pain to go away on its own. However, most types of knee pain worsen without treatment. Not to mention, some conditions (such as ligament injuries, meniscus tears or early-onstage arthritis) can cause long-term damage if they’re not addressed early. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can reduce pain and help regain control of your health.
How to Overcome Knee Pain with Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Have you believed any of these myths in the past? If so, you’re not alone. The numerous misconceptions about knee pain have caused many people to delay or even avoid necessary treatment. On the bright side, debunking these myths helps pave the way to effective, high-quality knee pain treatment. At Atlanta Medical Clinic, we help patients overcome pain through the following non-surgical treatment options:
- Viscosupplementation: This injection uses all-natural substances to lubricate the knee joint.
- Alternative Therapy: In addition to viscosupplementation, we may inject natural growth factors to quicken healing.
- Supportive Therapy: Our treatments are combined with supportive solutions (such as physical therapy and bracing) to promote holistic health.
We’ll start with a consultation to learn more about your pain, including your unique symptoms. Then, we’ll build a personalized treatment plan geared toward your long-term well-being.
Empowering Your Knee Health in 2025: Start with the Right Solutions at Atlanta Medical Clinic
Ready for knee pain relief? Using minimally invasive methods, we’ll address the underlying cause of knee pain and help you achieve the relief you deserve. Schedule your appointment today!