ArcaMax

If you're 60 or older, you have at least a 10% chance (for men) or a 13% chance (for women) of developing painful osteoarthritis (OA) in your knee. Fortunately, knee replacement surgery can give you back pain-free mobility. But it's a demanding recovery and many folks want or need to avoid the surgery or at least find meaningful pain relief before they get a whole new knee.

Now, researchers in Germany have developed a process that takes away most of the pain (without changing the joint damage). It's a minimally invasive procedure called genicular artery embolization that delivers tiny micro-particles into inflamed blood vessels around the knee, blocking blood flow and repairing nerves. That provides pain relief for at least 12 months -- far longer than hyaluronic acid or steroid injections usually offer relief.

At the least, that gives you time to strengthen your thigh and calf muscles -- helping take pressure off your knee joint-and to achieve a healthy weight, which makes knee replacement surgery and recovery easier and more effective. And it may let you avoid knee replacement altogether.

I also believe an anti-inflammatory diet, free of red and processed red meats, excess saturated fat, added sugar and syrup, and loaded with fresh veggies, fruits, 100% whole grains and fatty fish like salmon, can help reduce OA pain. Stress reduction and good sleep habits also help build resilience and reduce inflammation. Bonus: For a super-innovative solution to joint pain, explore inflammation-quashing therapeutic plasma exchange. For details on TPE research, check out LifeSpan-Edge.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.