This line of thinking cannot be further from the truth. There are two main problems with this very common approach. The first problem is that people are unnecessarily dealing with pain and disability. The second problem is that people tend to become less active because of their pain leading to a worsening of their arthritic condition and a general decline in fitness and health.

There are many non surgical and non drug treatments available for arthritis of the knee which can eliminate pain and increase function as well as prolong the life of the arthritic knee. The effective treatments for arthritis of the knee include comprehensive physiotherapy, custom made orthotics and insoles, glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, hyaluronic acid injections and osteoarthritis unloading knee braces.

Not all knees are the same and not all treatments will work for each knee. A detailed assessment of each patient is required to put together a plan of approach that will be successful. At the Toronto Centre for Sports Medicine, Dr. Jack Hakoun has been treating arthritis of the knee for 32 years and has incorporated all of the latest effective approaches to osteoarthritis of the knee. It is not uncommon for people to come into the Toronto Centre for Sports Medicine believing that they need a knee replacement and leave on the same day with an improved ability to walk and with much less pain. These people can often delay knee surgery for years or never have the need for surgery. Their pain is significantly reduced or eliminated and their functional activity and strength are improved. Less pain, improved function and improved health without surgery.