59 Year Old Wife Facing Knee Replacement - Can Physiotherapy and Medicines Help?

Ans: Good morning. Given your wife's condition, where the knee joint gap is almost negligible, I would first recommend opting for conservative management through physiotherapy and medication before considering knee replacement surgery.

Focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, with exercises like leg lifts, hamstring curls, and calf raises. Perform exercises to maintain and improve the knee's range of motion, including knee bends and stretches. Engage in low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine to reduce stress on the knee while maintaining cardiovascular fitness.

Include exercises that improve balance and stability to help prevent falls and further injury. Starting with physiotherapy and conservative management can often provide significant relief and improve quality of life, potentially delaying or even avoiding the need for surgery.