Not Ready for Knee Replacement Surgery Yet?

There May Be Other Treatment Options

Many people begin experiencing chronic knee pain…

Pain while walking

Difficulty climbing stairs

Pain when standing up after sitting

Some patients gradually avoid activities they once enjoyed because of discomfort

After medical evaluation, many patients hear the same phrase:

“Your knee is starting to degenerate.”

And naturally, the next concern becomes:

“Will I need knee replacement surgery?”

The truth is:

Not every patient with knee pain requires surgery immediately.

Especially in early to moderate stages, there may still be treatment options that help reduce pain, support the joint, and delay progression.

Why Does Knee Degeneration Happen?

The knee joint constantly carries body weight during:

• Walking

• Climbing stairs

• Standing

• Daily movement

Over time, the cartilage inside the joint may gradually wear down or become inflamed, leading to symptoms such as:

✔️ Pain while walking

✔️ Pain during activity

✔️ Joint stiffness

✔️ Clicking sounds

✔️ Swelling

✔️ Reduced mobility

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Common risk factors include:

• Aging

• Excess body weight

• Heavy knee usage

• High-impact sports

• Previous knee injuries

• Weak thigh muscles

Many people tolerate the pain for years, but eventually the symptoms may begin affecting quality of life significantly.

If You Are Not Ready for Surgery, What Are the Alternatives?

In some patients, especially those with early to moderate degeneration, treatment options may include:

✔️ Physiotherapy

✔️ Lifestyle modification

✔️ Weight reduction

✔️ Muscle strengthening

✔️ Regenerative Medicine

One increasingly popular regenerative option is:

PRGF

(Plasma Rich in Growth Factors)

What Is PRGF?

PRGF is a regenerative treatment that uses growth factors derived from the patient’s own blood through a specialized separation process.

The goals of PRGF are:

✔️ Reduce inflammation inside the joint

✔️ Support the joint environment

✔️ Improve movement

✔️ Reduce pain

It may be suitable for patients who:

• Have early to moderate knee degeneration

• Are not ready for surgery

• Want to improve daily quality of life

PRGF Is Not Just

“Pain Relief”

Painkillers and some traditional injections may temporarily reduce symptoms.

However, PRGF is considered a form of Regenerative Medicine.

Its purpose is not only to relieve pain, but also to support the body’s natural healing and recovery process within the joint itself.

In simple terms:

The goal is not only to “feel less pain”

but to help improve the condition of the tissues and joint environment.

PRGF aims to:

✔️ Reduce chronic inflammation inside the joint

✔️ Stimulate tissue regeneration

✔️ Improve joint function

✔️ Help slow degeneration in selected cases

✔️ Reduce long-term dependence on pain medication

When Will You Start Seeing Results?

PRGF is not a numbing injection that works instantly.

Some patients may begin noticing improvement within 2–4 weeks, while gradual improvement may continue over several weeks or months depending on:

• Severity of degeneration

• Age

• Joint usage habits

• Physiotherapy and lifestyle management

In some cases, patients may require ongoing follow-up with their doctor and repeated injections every 3–6 months depending on the condition and individual response.

The purpose of repeat treatment is to:

✔️ Continue reducing inflammation

✔️ Support tissue regeneration

✔️ Gradually improve joint function

Until the tissues recover to the best extent possible.

Specialized Care at Chularat 3 International Hospital

Simply tell us about your symptoms.

Our medical team will carefully evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Because every knee problem is different —

and not every patient requires surgery.