Treating hip & knee arthritis
Most patients with arthritis start with nonsurgical care — and many manage well for years. These surgeon-authored guides explain the full continuum, from activity changes and therapy to injections, and when replacement becomes the better option. Written and medically reviewed by Matthew Harb, M.D.
Nonsurgical Treatment of Hip & Knee Arthritis
Most patients with hip or knee arthritis start — and often stay — with nonsurgical care, sometimes for years. It works best as a layered, individualized plan, building from movement and strength to selective injections. Here is how the pieces fit together, what each can realistically do, and when replacement becomes the better option.
PRP for Hip & Knee Arthritis: A Regenerative Treatment Option
Regenerative medicine is now a meaningful part of modern arthritis care, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of its most established options. Using a concentrate of your own blood, PRP can help many appropriately selected patients calm inflammation, ease pain, and stay active — a valuable, lower-risk part of an individualized treatment plan.
Read guideCortisone Injections for Hip & Knee Arthritis
A cortisone injection is one of the most reliable tools for calming an arthritis flare — fast relief that buys you time. It’s also temporary, and used selectively rather than repeatedly. Here is how it works, what to realistically expect, and where it fits within the broader treatment plan.
Read guideHyaluronic Acid (Gel) Injections for Knee & Hip Arthritis
Gel injections — hyaluronic acid, or “viscosupplementation” — aim to restore some of the joint’s natural cushioning and lubrication. They’re a well-established, well-tolerated option for knee arthritis and, for the right patient, can ease pain and help maintain an active, comfortable routine for months at a time.
Read guidePhysical Therapy for Hip & Knee Arthritis
Physical therapy is one of the most useful and underused tools in nonsurgical arthritis care. Targeted strengthening of the muscles around the hip or knee meaningfully reduces pain, improves function, and helps you stay active — and for many patients with mild to moderate arthritis, it’s the foundation of the whole plan.
Read guideActivity Modification for Hip & Knee Arthritis
Activity modification isn’t about giving up the active life — it’s about adapting it. Smart substitutions, weight management, supportive footwear, and the occasional walking aid can dramatically reduce arthritis pain and help you stay active for years longer. It’s one of the most underestimated tools in nonsurgical care.
Read guideNot sure which treatment is right for you?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Harb to discuss your hip or knee and build a plan to get you back to the activities you love.