Knee Arthritis: Causes, Treatments, and Alternatives to Surgery

When your knee arthritis, a degenerative condition where the cartilage in the knee breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. It’s not just aging — it’s often linked to weight, injury, or genetics. Millions in India live with this daily, quietly avoiding stairs, skipping walks, or popping painkillers that don’t fix the root problem. Many assume surgery is the only way out — but that’s not true. Knee arthritis can be managed, slowed, or even reversed in early stages with the right approach.

What most people don’t realize is that knee replacement, a major surgical procedure where damaged joint parts are swapped with artificial ones. It’s effective, but not risk-free isn’t the only option. Newer treatments like stem cell therapy, a regenerative treatment using the body’s own cells to repair damaged knee cartilage. It’s still emerging, but gaining traction in Indian clinics and PRP injections, a procedure where concentrated platelets from your blood are injected into the knee to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. Often covered under insurance now are being used to delay or avoid surgery entirely. These aren’t magic — they need time, consistency, and the right doctor — but they work for many who aren’t ready for a full joint swap.

And then there’s the hidden side: medicines. Some painkillers and anti-inflammatories used for knee arthritis can damage your liver or kidneys over time — especially when taken without supervision. In India, where OTC drugs are easy to buy, people often self-medicate with steroids or NSAIDs for months, not knowing they’re trading short-term relief for long-term harm. Ayurveda and herbal remedies are popular too, but as we’ve seen with other treatments, not all "natural" options are safe. Some Ayurvedic formulations contain heavy metals like lead or arsenic, which silently build up in your system. Knowing what’s in your medicine matters as much as knowing how to move your knee.

You’ll find posts here that break down what happens after knee surgery, how long stiffness lasts, and what really helps recovery. You’ll also see what’s new — the non-surgical options that are actually backed by data, not just hype. Some articles warn you about the hidden risks of common treatments. Others show you how to move better, eat smarter, and reduce pressure on your knees without drugs or knives. This isn’t about selling you a miracle cure. It’s about giving you the real choices — the ones that work, the ones that don’t, and the ones that might save you from a scar you didn’t need.