Knee pain is one of the most common reasons Long Island adults visit an orthopedic specialist. Whether it started gradually from arthritis or suddenly from an injury, many patients assume surgery is inevitable. In most cases, there are non-surgical options worth trying first.
Why Knee Pain Is So Common on Long Island
Long Island's suburban lifestyle involves a lot of walking, driving, yard work, and stair climbing. Many residents commute on foot to LIRR stations, stand for work in retail or healthcare, or stay active with golf, tennis, and beach walks. All of these activities load the knee joint repeatedly over decades.
Osteoarthritis is the most common diagnosis in patients over 50. The cartilage that cushions the knee gradually wears down, leading to bone-on-bone contact, stiffness, and inflammation. But younger patients also develop knee problems from sports injuries, meniscus tears, ligament strains, and overuse.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Physical therapy and exercise remain the first-line treatment for most knee pain. Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings can reduce load on the joint and improve stability. A structured program supervised by a therapist often provides meaningful relief within six to eight weeks.
Anti-inflammatory medications (oral or topical) can help manage flare-ups. Your doctor may recommend a short course of NSAIDs alongside therapy rather than long-term daily use.
Corticosteroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the joint. Relief is often felt within days and can last weeks to months. These are typically limited to three or four per year to protect joint tissue.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses a concentrated sample of your own blood platelets, injected into the knee to support tissue healing. Research is ongoing, but some patients report improvement in pain and function.
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a newer minimally invasive option for knee osteoarthritis pain. Dr. Amir Salem performs this catheter-based procedure at the M&S Great Neck office. GAE works by reducing abnormal blood vessel growth around the arthritic knee, which can decrease inflammation and pain. It is performed under local anesthesia, takes about an hour, and most patients go home the same day. GAE may be appropriate for patients who have not responded to conservative care but want to avoid or delay knee replacement.
Bracing and orthotics can redistribute weight across the knee joint. Unloader braces are particularly useful for patients with arthritis affecting one side of the knee.
When Surgery Becomes the Right Choice
Non-surgical treatment is not always enough. If pain persists despite several months of conservative care, limits your ability to work or sleep, or significantly reduces your quality of life, knee replacement or other surgical options may be appropriate. Dr. Mehran Manouel evaluates surgical candidacy and helps patients understand what recovery looks like before making that decision.
The goal at M&S is never to push surgery. It is to exhaust reasonable non-surgical paths first and make sure patients understand their options clearly.
Finding Knee Pain Care on Long Island
The M&S Great Neck office serves knee pain patients from across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The office is at 935 Northern Boulevard in Great Neck, accessible from the Northern State Parkway, LIE, and local roads. Whether you live in Mineola, Hicksville, Huntington, or Bay Shore, specialist knee care is within a manageable drive. Call (516) 960-1954 to schedule an evaluation.