The moment your knees start hurting, someone is ready to suggest knee replacement.
But should knee replacement be your first option?
“Absolutely not,” says Dr. Azam Khan, one of Dubai’s most trusted knee specialists. “In many cases, people can avoid surgery altogether—with the right diagnosis and early intervention.”
The Problem: Too Many Replacements, Too Early
Globally, the number of total knee replacements has risen by over 150% in the last two decades (Lancet, 2020). While many are necessary, a significant percentage could have been delayed or even avoided with early treatment.
In Dubai, where active lifestyles meet long work hours, knee pain treatment Dubai is common. But pain doesn’t always mean surgery.
When Should You NOT Rush to Surgery?
You may not need knee replacement if:
- You can still walk, climb stairs, and do daily activities (even with some pain)
- Your X-rays show only moderate degeneration
- You haven’t tried advanced non-surgical options yet
“Pain is a signal, not a sentence,” says Dr. Khan. “We need to understand what’s causing it before cutting anything.”
What Are the Alternatives?
1. PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Your blood, concentrated and injected back into the knee to boost healing.
- Reduces inflammation
- Stimulates tissue repair
- Useful for early knee osteoarthritis and sports injuries
2. Stem Cell Therapy
Advanced regenerative treatment where stem cells rebuild cartilage and reduce inflammation.
- Suitable for moderate arthritis
- Minimally invasive
- May delay or avoid surgery for years
“Stem cells don’t just reduce pain—they address the problem at its core,” Dr. Khan explains.
3. Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic Acid Injections)
These “joint lubricants” act like a cushion inside your knee—ideal for people with dry knees or stiffness due to cartilage thinning.
4. Guided Physiotherapy
Many patients try random exercises from YouTube—but bad form can do more harm than good. Dr. Khan collaborates with trained physiotherapists to develop knee-safe movement plans that:
- Strengthen muscles
- Improve alignment
- Reduce pressure on joints
Real Dubai Stories
Dr. Khan recalls a patient in her early 50s, told by two clinics she needed surgery. After PRP therapy Dubai and guided rehab at his clinic, she was walking pain-free within weeks.
So, When Is Surgery the Right Option?
Dr. Khan doesn’t shy away from replacements when truly needed, especially in cases of:
- End-stage arthritis
- Severe bone-on-bone grinding
- Deformity or loss of function
“Let surgery be your last resort, not your first reflex,” he says.
Your Next Step Isn’t Always a Surgical One
At Dr. Khan’s Dubai clinic, the focus is on preserving your natural knee for as long as possible. You deserve options—and more importantly, you deserve an expert who gives you honest answers, not a surgical sales pitch.🏥 Think you need a knee replacement? Get a second opinion that looks at every option—not just the surgical one.
Book a consultation with Dr. Azam Khan