Nonsurgical Treatment for Hip & Knee Arthritis
You don’t always need surgery for hip or knee arthritis — and Dr. Dattilo won’t rush you toward it. Many patients find meaningful relief through nonsurgical care, and even when surgery eventually becomes the right answer, conservative treatment can keep you comfortable and active in the meantime. Dr. Dattilo offers a full range of nonsurgical arthritis care for patients across the Tampa Bay area.
Non-Operative Care
Arthritis Treatment Options Without Surgery
Before considering surgery, Dr. Dattilo explores every non-operative option to relieve pain and restore function. Many patients find lasting relief through one or more of these treatments.
Activity Modification
Adjusting and swapping toward low-impact activities — like swimming, cycling, and walking — to stay active while easing stress on the arthritic joint.
Weight Management
Even modest weight loss meaningfully reduces the load on an arthritic hip or knee, easing pain and slowing wear.
Physical Therapy
Targeted strengthening and mobility exercises to reduce joint stress, improve function, and delay or eliminate the need for surgery.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), topical treatments, and pain relievers to manage arthritis symptoms and improve daily comfort.
Cortisone Injection
Corticosteroid injections delivered directly into the joint to rapidly reduce inflammation and provide significant short-term pain relief.
Viscosupplementation
Hyaluronic acid injections that lubricate the joint, cushion cartilage, and reduce pain — mimicking the natural fluid found in healthy joints.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
A concentration of your own platelets injected into the joint to harness the body’s natural healing factors and reduce pain and inflammation.
What nonsurgical care can — and can’t — do
These treatments are very effective at managing the symptoms of arthritis — pain, stiffness, and loss of function — and can keep you active and comfortable, often for a long time. What they can’t do is reverse arthritis or regrow cartilage that has already worn away. The goal of nonsurgical care is to relieve your symptoms and preserve your quality of life for as long as possible.
When to consider joint replacement
It may be time to consider surgery when your pain limits the activities you care about, disturbs your sleep, or no longer responds to nonsurgical care. There’s no need to rush — but you also shouldn’t have to suffer indefinitely. Dr. Dattilo will give you a straight, honest assessment of where you are and what your options are, including anterior and robotic hip replacement, partial and robotic knee replacement, and same-day surgery.
Why patients choose Dr. Dattilo
Dr. Dattilo is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who focuses specifically on hip and knee care. Because he’s a surgeon who doesn’t rush to surgery, patients trust him for a balanced, honest recommendation — conservative care when it makes sense, and surgery only when it’s truly the better path. He trained at the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Pennsylvania, and has authored 45+ peer-reviewed publications.
He sees patients at four Tampa Bay locations — St. Petersburg, Largo, Palm Harbor, and Sarasota. Learn more about Dr. Dattilo ›
Frequently asked questions
Can hip or knee arthritis be treated without surgery?
What nonsurgical treatments are available for arthritis?
Do cortisone injections help hip and knee arthritis?
Will nonsurgical treatment cure my arthritis?
How do I know when it’s time to consider joint replacement?
Learn more from trusted sources
Living with hip or knee arthritis?
Get an honest evaluation and a plan — nonsurgical care when it fits, surgery only when it’s the right time.
This information is general and educational and is not a substitute for an individual medical consultation. Please see Dr. Dattilo or your own physician for advice about your specific situation.