Surgery is the last resort — not the first. Dr Hardik Shah offers the full spectrum of non-surgical knee pain treatments at DHS Multispecialty Hospital. If you can avoid surgery, you should.
Most knee pain — even moderate arthritis — can be managed effectively without surgery. As a joint replacement specialist, Dr Hardik Shah has no incentive to operate unnecessarily. In fact, most consultations at DHS Multispecialty Hospital end with a non-surgical treatment plan, not a surgical booking.
Surgery is appropriate when conservative treatment has been exhausted, imaging confirms significant structural damage, and pain meaningfully limits your daily life. Until then, non-surgical care is the right starting point.
Strengthening, mobility, proprioception. The foundation of almost every treatment plan — evidence-based protocols tailored to your specific condition.
Short-course NSAIDs, topical treatments, acetaminophen. Used alongside physiotherapy — never as a standalone long-term solution.
Joint lubrication injections that provide 6-12 months of pain relief for early arthritis. Three-injection series or single-shot formulations available.
Your own growth factors injected into the knee to reduce inflammation and potentially aid healing. Useful for early arthritis, tendon issues, cartilage damage.
Fast relief for acute inflammation. Used sparingly (1-2x per year max) due to long-term cartilage effects.
Unloader braces shift pressure off the damaged knee compartment. Particularly effective for unicompartmental arthritis.
Even 5kg weight loss significantly reduces knee stress. Structured nutrition and exercise guidance — because it works.
Smart adjustments — switching from running to cycling, using poles for hiking, knee-friendly strength training.
Precisely-placed injections confirm the pain source — sometimes the knee isn't where the pain is actually coming from.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is one of the most researched non-surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis. By concentrating growth factors from your own blood and injecting them into the affected joint, PRP aims to reduce inflammation and potentially slow cartilage degeneration.
Typical cost: ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 per session. A standard course of 2-3 sessions costs ₹20,000 – ₹40,000. Most insurance doesn't cover PRP as it's still considered investigational, though this is changing.
If a surgeon has told you that you need knee replacement, a second opinion is worth getting. Sometimes the first-line treatment can be non-surgical — and deliver real relief for years.
Surgery is considered when pain significantly limits daily activities, conservative treatment has failed for 3-6 months, and imaging confirms advanced structural damage. Dr Shah gives an honest assessment — many patients are told surgery is not yet needed.
Typical effects: 6-12 months. Some patients get longer relief, some shorter. Repeat courses can be done annually.
Stem cell therapy for knees remains investigational with mixed evidence. As of 2026, no stem cell therapy is FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis. Dr Shah discusses current evidence honestly and recommends only treatments with proven benefit.
Yes — for many patients with mild-to-moderate arthritis, a structured 8-12 week physiotherapy programme delivers meaningful, sustained improvement. It's often the single most underused treatment.
Absolutely. Every kilogram of body weight adds 3-4 kg of load to your knees during walking. A 5 kg weight loss reduces knee load by 15-20 kg per step — significant pain relief for many patients.
Maximum 1-2 times per year in the same knee. More frequent injections may accelerate cartilage damage.
Not every knee needs surgery. Let's find the treatment that's right for your knee, your life, and your goals.