New Treatments for Knee Pain Without Surgery: Clinically Proven Options That Work

Knee pain affects millions of Americans, especially those with osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or post-surgical complications. In San Diego and beyond, patients are increasingly seeking alternatives to surgery—options that are effective, evidence-based, and minimally invasive. Fortunately, recent clinical studies have validated several new treatments that offer real relief without going under the knife.

Here’s a look at the most promising non-surgical therapies for knee pain, including Class IV laser therapy, acoustic wave therapy, low-dose radiation, and emerging gene therapy—all backed by peer-reviewed research.

1. Class IV Laser Therapy: Deep Tissue Healing Without Drugs

Class IV laser therapy uses high-powered infrared light to penetrate deep into joint and muscle tissue, stimulating cellular repair and reducing inflammation. Unlike cold lasers, which barely reach the skin’s surface, Class IV lasers deliver up to 72 watts of energy and reach up to 7 inches deep.

Clinical studies have shown that laser therapy:

• Increases ATP production and blood flow
• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Promotes collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration

A 2022 randomized controlled trial published in Lasers in Medical Science found that Class IV laser therapy significantly improved pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to placebo treatments (Alayat et al., 2022). At Healios Laser Therapy in San Diego, patients often report noticeable relief within 1–4 sessions, with no downtime or side effects.

2. Acoustic Wave Therapy (StemWave): Stimulating Natural Repair

StemWave, a form of acoustic wave therapy (AWT), uses high-frequency sound waves to stimulate the body’s healing response. The waves penetrate deep into tissue, increasing circulation and cellular activity to promote repair.

Clinical reviews have confirmed that shockwave therapy:

• Reduces chronic knee pain
• Improves joint function
• Minimizes reliance on pain medications

A 2025 review of multiple studies found that acoustic wave therapy significantly alleviated knee pain and improved mobility, with minimal adverse effects and high patient satisfaction (Mercy Family Health, 2025). The standard protocol involves 8–10 sessions and is especially effective for chronic conditions like tendinopathy and osteoarthritis.

3. Low-Dose Radiation Therapy: A Conservative Option with Strong Results

Though unconventional in the U.S., low-dose radiation therapy has long been used in Europe to treat joint pain. A recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Korea and presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting showed that six sessions of low-dose radiation led to significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and function for patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Key findings:

• 70% of participants reported meaningful improvement
• Radiation dose was just 5% of what’s used in cancer treatment
• No serious side effects were reported

The therapy works by muting inflammatory cytokines and calming overactive immune responses in the joint (Kim et al., 2025). It offers a drug-free alternative for patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs or injections.

4. Gene Therapy: Engineering Long-Term Relief

Gene therapy is emerging as a revolutionary option for chronic knee pain, especially osteoarthritis. Researchers at Mayo Clinic recently completed a phase 1 clinical trial using a gene that encodes IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), a molecule that blocks inflammation inside the joint.

Highlights from the study:

• Safe and well-tolerated in human subjects
• Sustained expression of therapeutic gene inside the joint
• Early evidence of cartilage protection and pain reduction

Dr. Christopher Evans, who led the trial, believes gene therapy could overcome the pharmacologic barrier that limits the effectiveness of injected medications (Evans et al., 2025). While still in early stages, this approach may offer long-term relief for patients with degenerative joint disease.

5. MISHA® Knee System: A Shock Absorber for the Joint

Although technically a device-based intervention, the MISHA Knee System offers a non-surgical alternative to joint replacement. It’s an implantable shock absorber designed to unload pressure from the medial compartment of the knee.

A new randomized controlled trial (MOTION RCT) is comparing MISHA to standard non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, weight loss, and injections. Early data suggests:

• Superior pain reduction compared to high tibial osteotomy
• Improved mobility and quality of life
• FDA clearance based on strong clinical evidence

While implantation is minimally invasive, it’s not considered surgery in the traditional sense and may be appropriate for patients seeking mechanical support without full joint replacement (Moximed, 2025).

Final Thoughts: A New Era of Knee Pain Relief

Surgery is no longer the only path to relief. With Class IV laser therapy, acoustic wave stimulation, low-dose radiation, gene therapy, and advanced joint unloading systems, patients now have access to a range of clinically validated treatments that restore function and reduce pain—without the risks and recovery time of invasive procedures.

For San Diego residents, Healios Laser Therapy offers one of the most accessible and effective options. Their Class IV laser protocols are tailored to each patient’s condition and goals, delivering fast results with zero downtime.

Learn more about how a laser therapy treatment can help knee pain.

References

• Alayat, M. S. M., Atya, A. M., & Ali, M. M. (2022). Efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. Lasers in Medical Science, 37(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-021-03257-3
• Mercy Family Health. (2025, September 27). New breakthrough treatment for knee pain with 85+% success rate. Business Insider. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/new-breakthrough-treatment-for-knee-pain-with-85-success-rate-for-pain-relief-1035221053
• Kim, B. H., et al. (2025, September 28). Low-dose radiation therapy offers substantial relief to people with painful knee osteoarthritis. American Society for Radiation Oncology. https://www.astro.org/news-and-publications/news-and-media-center/news-releases/2025/low-dose-radiation-therapy-offers-substantial-relief-to-people-with-painful-knee-osteoarthritis
• Evans, C., et al. (2025, July 28). Progress in gene therapy offers hope for long-term knee pain relief. Mayo Clinic News Network. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/progress-in-gene-therapy-offers-hope-for-long-term-knee-pain-relief/
• Moximed. (2025, May 29). First patients treated in a new randomized controlled trial evaluating the MISHA® Knee System vs non-surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis. https://moximed.com/news/first-patients-treated-in-a-new-randomized-controlled-trial-evaluating-the-misha-knee-system-vs-non-surgical-treatment-for-knee-osteoarthritis/