By Dr. Chris Thomas, MD, FAAPMR

Medical Director, Performance Ortho Somerset

For over 25 years, Performance Ortho has provided relief to thousands of patients suffering with knee pain of varying severity. Amongst our older patient base, many report that their previous physicians have noted that knee replacement is ‘inevitable’ as age and arthritis progress. We don’t subscribe to that philosophy. Early intervention, lifestyle changes and advanced, non-surgical treatments are our specialty at Performance Ortho, and this formula has preserved joint function and helped delay or negate the need for surgery for many.

If you’ve been struggling with knee pain for a while now, we understand the frustration and confusion that comes with limited relief and lack of clarity around treatment options as you bounce between doctors. That’s why we’ve pioneered our Performance Ortho Knee Preservation Program; a proactive and streamlined solution focused on restoring knee mobility and function while mitigating long-term knee replacement risks.

At Performance Ortho, the focus of the Knee Preservation Program is preserving the knee joint for as long as possible through targeted, personalized care.

“Many patients come to us believing surgery is their only option. In reality, early intervention and joint preservation strategies can often help patients stay active and functional without immediate knee replacement.”

— Dr. Chris Thomas

Understanding the Root Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain is often progressive, meaning symptoms can gradually worsen over time if underlying issues are not addressed early. Cartilage wear and tear, inflammation cycles, and reduced mobility are common osteoarthritis signs and, depending on severity, can be treated effectively without surgical intervention.

Besides aging, repetitive stress from sports, exercise, or physically demanding work all accelerate knee degeneration and can only be managed by ice, rest and over the counter medication for so long before irreversible damage sets in.

The Knee Preservation Program focuses on identifying these issues early, before joint damage becomes severe enough to require surgery. Early diagnosis and symptom monitoring are critical because treating knee pain earlier often creates more opportunities for non-surgical intervention.

“Knee preservation is about protecting the joint before severe degeneration occurs. The earlier we intervene, the more options patients typically have available.”

— Dr. Thomas

If you’re knee issues have progressed beyond pure prevention, don’t worry. Regenerative Medicine and minimally invasive outpatient procedures are available and highly effective at restoring long-term function without the need for total knee replacement.

Patient-First Approach to Care

As mentioned, many patients can significantly improve knee pain and function through conservative and minimally invasive care. At Performance Ortho, each patient received a customized treatment plan, carefully tailored to match their unique health needs and personal goals. Surgeons, Physicians and Therapists work side by side under one roof, collaborating intimately on each patient pathway to optimize outcomes and ensure that surgery is recommended only when absolutely necessary.

Lifestyle Adjustments

If you’re not looking for immediate medical intervention for your knee pain, lifestyle adjustments are a great place to start to preserve joint function. Weight management reduces pressure on the knee joint, so diet and low-impact exercise are always a great place to start to ensure your joints are not working harder than they need to.

Some low-impact activities like swimming or stationary cycling help maintain mobility without added stress on the knees. If you’re on your feet a lot at work and feeling pain throughout the day, modifying repetitive movements may prevent worsening irritation when possible. Even small lifestyle changes can significantly reduce long-term stress on the knee; it’s a great place to start for most prospective patients.

When to Consider Surgery

Performance Ortho offers a full spectrum of surgical interventions when necessary. Before deciding is surgery is appropriate for you, a Performance Ortho physician will walk you through various avenues of care, exhausting non-surgical approaches before considering operation.

For some, surgery may become appropriate when:

• conservative treatments stop working
• pain severely limits daily activity
• mobility continues declining
• structural deformity develops.

Even when surgery is necessary, patients benefit from receiving a complete evaluation first to ensure all appropriate joint preservation options have been explored. At Performance Ortho, the goal is always to help patients maintain mobility, independence, and quality of life using the least invasive solution possible.

Contact Performance Ortho for More Information

If you’re experiencing knee discomfort, or simply want to stay ahead of potential issues, Performance Ortho and their innovative Knee Preservation Program provide a proactive, non-surgical path forward. We invite you to give us a call and schedule your consultation with one of our Board-Certified, NJ Top Doctors to evaluate your eligibility for the Knee Preservation Program.

With convenient locations in Branchburg, Somerset, Watchung, and Hillsborough, our team provides personalized, non-surgical solutions designed to protect your joints and your lifestyle In many cases, yes. Early treatment, physical therapy, weight management, injections, and joint preservation strategies may help delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.