Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

Chronic knee pain has a way of taking over your life. Simple things—walking the dog, going up stairs, or standing to cook dinner—can become agonizing. What once were everyday activities can suddenly feel like impossible tasks. Over time, the pain may not only wear down your joints, but your spirit, too.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we see patients every day who are at the end of their rope. They’ve been told by well-meaning providers that a knee replacement is their only option, and that they should “just get it over with.” But surgery is no small decision—especially when it comes with weeks or months of recovery, potential complications, and a real risk of not getting the results you hoped for.

There are safe, effective, minimally invasive alternatives to knee replacement that are helping people just like you get back to living. From targeted physical therapy and regenerative injections to innovative postural correction and personalized pain management—you may not need surgery to feel better.

Our team at Medici is deeply committed to finding the least invasive, least drug-dependent path toward relief and mobility. Every knee—and every person—is different. That’s why we start with understanding your unique condition, goals, and lifestyle to build a care plan that restores your quality of life without jumping straight to the operating room.

Proven Non-Surgical Alternatives at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Movement is medicine. One of the most powerful tools we use to manage and reverse chronic knee pain is customized physical therapy. Our licensed specialists build personalized plans based on your unique biomechanics, medical history, and goals.

  • Strengthens Supporting Muscles
    Targeted exercises help stabilize the knee by strengthening the surrounding muscles—especially the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and calves.
  • Improves Mobility and Reduces Stiffness
    Gentle stretching, mobility drills, and functional movement training restore joint flexibility and reduce pain during daily activities.
  • Reduces Stress on the Knee Joint
    By correcting imbalances in posture and gait, we reduce unnecessary strain on the knee, helping it to heal and move more efficiently.

Many of our patients find that with consistent therapy, they can delay or completely avoid surgery—even with moderate to advanced arthritis.

Injections for Knee Pain

Sometimes, the body needs a little help kickstarting its healing process. That’s where targeted, image-guided injections come in. These treatments are minimally invasive, typically performed in-office, and require little to no downtime.

Corticosteroid Injections

These anti-inflammatory injections offer rapid, short-term relief for acute flare-ups of knee pain. While not a long-term solution, they can provide the window of relief needed to pursue physical therapy or lifestyle changes.

Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation)

Also known as a “gel injection,” this treatment helps lubricate and cushion the joint, improving movement and reducing pain—particularly in patients with early to moderate osteoarthritis.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP uses your body’s own healing cells. We draw a small amount of your blood, concentrate the platelets (which contain growth factors), and inject them directly into the damaged knee. This helps stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healing—especially helpful in cases of cartilage damage, meniscus tears, or tendonitis.

Prolotherapy

This regenerative technique involves injecting a natural irritant into the knee, which stimulates the body’s healing response. Prolotherapy can strengthen ligaments, repair soft tissue, and improve joint stability over time—without the use of drugs or surgery.

Regenerative Medicine Options

One of the most exciting frontiers in non-surgical orthopaedic care is regenerative medicine—the use of biologically active substances to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we utilize cutting-edge therapies like stem cells and biologics to help restore function and reduce pain without surgery.

  • Stimulates Cartilage & Soft Tissue Regeneration
    Regenerative treatments introduce natural growth factors directly into the joint, supporting the repair of damaged cartilage, ligaments, or tendons. This is especially promising for early to moderate stages of osteoarthritis, before total joint degeneration occurs.
  • Personalized, Natural Healing
    Since these treatments often use your body’s own cells (like mesenchymal stem cells or platelet-rich plasma), the risk of rejection or reaction is extremely low.
  • Minimally Invasive with Little Downtime
    Most procedures are performed in-office, require no general anesthesia, and allow patients to return to daily activities quickly—making them a powerful alternative to the long recovery of knee replacement surgery.

Whether you're an athlete hoping to stay active or someone looking to avoid joint replacement altogether, regenerative medicine may be the breakthrough solution you've been hoping for.

Spinal & Postural Correction (Addressing Referred Pain)

Believe it or not, your knee pain might not be coming from your knee at all. Many patients suffer from referred pain—discomfort that starts elsewhere in the body but shows up in the knee. At Medici, we look at the full biomechanical picture, not just the obvious symptoms.

  • Realignment of the Spine, Pelvis & Hips
    Misalignments in the spine, hips, or pelvis can throw off the body's natural alignment, putting uneven stress on the knees. Correcting these imbalances through physical therapy, manual adjustments, or posture-focused training can dramatically reduce knee pain and prevent further joint breakdown.
  • An Often Overlooked Source of Pain
    Traditional knee treatments often ignore structural issues that originate higher up the kinetic chain. At Medici, we believe in treating the source—not just the site—of pain, giving our patients better outcomes and fewer relapses.

By addressing the underlying causes of improper movement and load-bearing, we help patients achieve lasting relief—even when previous knee-focused treatments have failed.

Bracing & Orthotics

Sometimes, the key to relieving knee pain is redistributing pressure within the joint. At Medici, we utilize custom bracing and orthotic solutions designed to support the knee and improve alignment during movement.

  • Offloads Pressure from Key Areas
    Specialized braces can shift pressure away from worn or damaged cartilage, allowing inflamed areas to calm down and heal. This is especially helpful in cases of unilateral arthritis or joint instability.
  • Works Best When Combined with Therapy
    We often pair bracing with physical therapy and gait training to optimize movement patterns and promote long-term relief. Rather than becoming dependent on a brace, our goal is to use it as a tool during the recovery process.

Lifestyle & Weight Management Coaching

One of the most underestimated but powerful tools in knee pain management is lifestyle change—especially weight reduction and nutrition.

  • Even Modest Weight Loss Helps
    For every pound you lose, you remove four pounds of pressure off your knees. That means losing just 10 pounds can relieve 40 pounds of pressure—daily.
  • Nutritional Support to Fight Inflammation
    Our team offers coaching on anti-inflammatory nutrition that not only supports healthy joints but improves energy, sleep, and healing across the body.

At Medici, we treat patients with compassion, not judgment. We’ll meet you where you are and build a realistic, supportive path toward better health—without crash diets or unrealistic goals.

Alternative Therapies Offered at Medici

Healing isn’t always about machines or medications. Sometimes, the most effective therapies involve restoring natural movement and circulation to the body. That’s why we offer a range of alternative modalities that complement traditional treatments beautifully.

Myofascial Release

A gentle, hands-on technique that relieves tension in the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles and joints). This therapy helps restore mobility, reduce referred pain, and enhance circulation around the knee.

Sports Massage Therapy

Our skilled therapists use targeted massage to reduce muscle tightness, improve flexibility, and support joint alignment. Regular sessions can significantly reduce pain, especially in active individuals or those with overuse injuries.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues. It accelerates healing, reduces inflammation, and is especially helpful for chronic pain or post-injury recovery. This therapy is a unique and powerful offering at Medici.

Learn How Medici Orthopaedics & Spine Can Help

Living with chronic knee pain doesn’t mean you’re destined for the operating table. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we understand that every knee—and every patient—is unique. That’s why we offer a wide range of minimally-invasive, drug-free, and evidence-based treatments that work together to relieve pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life without the risks or downtime of knee replacement surgery.

Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, an old injury, or referred pain from another part of the body, our team is here to listen, evaluate, and guide you through a care plan built just for you. Our goal is simple: to help you move better, feel better, and get back to doing the things you love—without unnecessary surgery.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a consultation today to explore your personalized, non-surgical treatment options. Whether you're seeking a second opinion or just starting your pain relief journey, our compassionate team is here to help you take the first step—confidently.

📞 Call us: +1-844-328-4624
📍 Visit us in: Marietta, Snellville, Kennesaw, or Buckhead
🌐 Learn more: https://medicimedicalarts.com

Tired of Feeling
Like Just Another
Chart?

At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.