Knee Arthritis Can Be Treated Without Surgery. Most People Are Never Told How.
At Adelaide Podiatry Centres, we help people with knee arthritis move more comfortably - without surgery.
3 Gap-free knee osteoarthritis assessments available this week.
Most people with knee arthritis don't suddenly stop moving.
They slowly stop doing the things they love. The walks get shorter. Stairs become harder. Getting up from the couch takes more effort than it used to.
And getting down on the floor with the grandkids slowly becomes something you avoid — because you already know how hard it'll be getting back up.
A lot of people get told the same thing: it's just wear and tear. Take some pain relief, slow down, and come back when it's bad enough for surgery.
But here's what most people never get told. There's a whole layer of treatment that sits between painkillers and knee replacement surgery — and for many people, it can make a real difference.
If knee arthritis is getting in the way of the life you want, we're here to help.
3 APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
Gap-Free Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment
For people who want to understand their options and find out whether non-surgical treatment is right for them.
Without Private Health Insurance
Just $51 $214
Advanced Non-Surgical Options
At Adelaide Podiatry Centres, we work with a lot of people dealing with knee arthritis. Our focus is helping people move more comfortably and stay active — through non-surgical treatment options. And treatment in this area has changed dramatically over the last few years.
Focused shockwave therapy
Delivers targeted acoustic energy to the knee joint to promote tissue repair and reduce pain. Clinical research suggests 70-85% of patients with mild to moderate knee OA experience meaningful improvements in pain and function.
High-level cold laser therapy
Uses specific light wavelengths to reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery at the cellular level.
Prolotherapy
Involves precisely placed injections to stimulate the body's own healing response and address joint instability at the source. In clinical studies, 80-90% of patients report meaningful improvement.
Computerised AI gait analysis & Custom orthotics
Gives us an objective picture of how force is travelling through your knee. Because knee arthritis isn't always just about the knee itself.
None of these are miracle cures, and we won't pretend otherwise. Results vary depending on the severity of your condition and how you respond to treatment. But there is a very real space between doing nothing and having surgery — and many people are never told what those options actually are.
What The Research Shows
For two of the treatments we use most frequently for knee arthritis - prolotherapy and focused shockwave therapy - there is a meaningful body of published clinical evidence.
Prolotherapy
Most patients begin to notice improvement by weeks four to six, with full effects typically seen after three to six sessions over a three-to-six-month period. Outcomes are generally stronger in early to moderate stages of arthritis.
Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT)
A 2021 systematic review by Vahdatpour et al. found statistically significant reductions in pain scores and improvements in joint stiffness following FSWT. One study reported a 60% reduction in pain scores and a 40% improvement in function after three to five sessions. In the same review, FSWT produced equal or better pain relief compared to corticosteroid injection at six months.
Many patients notice improvement after just one to two sessions, with peak effects typically seen four to eight weeks after completing a course of treatment.
These results are based on clinical research in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Individual outcomes vary depending on your specific presentation, overall health, and the severity of your condition. During your assessment, we'll give you an honest picture of what's realistic for your situation.
You're in the right place if you're someone who...
- Is an active retiree whose walks are getting shorter - what used to be an easy daily routine is now something you plan around your knee
- Is approaching retirement and wants to protect it - you've worked hard for the years ahead and don't want knee pain to limit you
- Finds stairs and hills genuinely difficult - something that used to be effortless now takes real concentration
- Avoids getting down on the floor - because you're already thinking about how hard it'll be getting back up
- Has been told it's just wear and tear - and feels like the only path forward is pain relief until things deteriorate enough for surgery
- Has an upcoming trip, holiday, or family event - and is quietly wondering whether your knee is going to hold up
- Struggles to get up from low chairs or the couch - and has started choosing seats that are easier to manage
- Has tried pain relief but doesn't want to rely on it long-term
- Is a gardener, golfer, or regular walker - and knee pain is slowly taking the enjoyment out of it
- Has been told surgery may be in your future - and wants to explore every possible non-surgical option before going down that path
And the list goes on...
Here's what's included in your gap-free assessment:
- A comprehensive history of your knee symptoms — when it started, what makes it worse, and how it's affecting your daily life
- A thorough examination of your knee movement and function
- A review of your movement patterns using computerised AI gait analysis — to understand how force is travelling through your knee when you walk
- An honest conversation about whether our advanced non-surgical treatment options are appropriate for your situation
- A personalised plan based on your symptoms, goals, and lifestyle
- Guidance on what you can do at home to support your knee and reduce the risk of things getting worse
Walk away with clarity, a plan, and an honest next step.
There's a very real space between doing nothing and having surgery. The sooner you understand what's possible, the sooner you can start making progress.
A clear picture
Of what's actually happening with your knee - and why it's been getting harder to manage.
Honest options
You'll know which non-surgical treatments may be appropriate for your situation, and what each one actually involves.
A personalised plan
Not a vague instruction to slow down and come back when it's worse.
Worst case, you finally understand what's happening with your knee.
Best case, you start getting parts of your life back again.
Gap-Free Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment
Valued at $214
- With private health insurance
(podiatry extras): Gap free $0 out of pocket - Without private health insurance
Just $51
3 appointments available each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the assessment take?
The gap-free knee osteoarthritis assessment takes approximately 40 minutes.
Do I need a GP referral to book?
No referral is needed. You can book directly online using the button on this page, or call either of our clinics.
Does the assessment include treatment?
No - the assessment covers your history, movement examination, AI gait analysis, and your personalised plan.
What if I don't have private health insurance?
No problem at all. The assessment is available for just $51 instead of the usual $214, regardless of your insurance status.
How effective are these treatments for knee arthritis?
It depends on the stage of your condition and how you respond to treatment, which is exactly why the assessment matters. For the two treatments with the strongest published evidence in knee OA: prolotherapy shows 80–90% of patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis reporting meaningful improvement in pain and function (Rabago et al., 2013); focused shockwave therapy shows 70–85% of patients experiencing meaningful pain relief and functional improvement, with many noticing change after just one to two sessions (Vahdatpour et al., 2021). These figures come from peer-reviewed research and are not a guarantee of individual results. We'll be straightforward during your assessment about what we think is achievable in your specific case.
What conditions do you assess?
The gap-free assessment is specifically for people experiencing knee pain related to osteoarthritis. If you're not sure whether your situation is suitable, give us a call and we'll help you work it out. North Adelaide: 8239 1022 Eastwood: 8357 0700
Is this offer available to existing patients?
The gap-free rate is available for first-time patients at Adelaide Podiatry Centres only, and may be claimed once per person.
What if I need to cancel?
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This allows us to offer the spot to someone else who needs it.
North Adelaide
62 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
Ph. 8239 1022
Eastwood
233 Fullarton Road, Eastwood SA 5063
Ph. 8357 0700
Disclaimer
The gap-free knee osteoarthritis assessment is available to first-time patients at Adelaide Podiatry Centres only and may be claimed once per person. The gap-free rate applies to patients with eligible private health insurance that includes podiatry extras cover; gap amounts may vary depending on your individual policy, and we recommend checking your level of cover before booking.
Patients without podiatry extras will be charged $51. The assessment fee does not include treatment. Three gap-free assessments are available each week and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule. Failure to attend without notice may affect eligibility for this offer.
Treatment outcome statistics cited on this page are sourced from published peer-reviewed research and are provided for general information only. Individual results may vary depending on condition severity, overall health, and treatment response. This information does not constitute medical advice.
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