When Do You Actually Need Knee Surgery?
Mon Feb 02 2026
In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down one of the most misunderstood decisions in modern medicine: when knee surgery actually makes sense — and when it doesn't.
Knee pain is one of the leading causes of unnecessary surgery, often driven by imaging findings that don't match real symptoms. Dr. Slater explains why meniscus tears, arthritis, and "wear and tear" on MRI scans frequently lead patients down the wrong path — and why many knee problems actually originate in the spine or nervous system, not the knee itself.
Topics covered include:
Who truly needs a total knee replacement
Why most meniscus surgeries don't fix long-term pain
How normal aging gets mislabeled as "severe arthritis"
Why cortisone injections are temporary at best
How back and nerve issues sabotage knee recovery
What should be tried before considering surgery
If you've been told surgery is your only option — or you're trying to avoid it — this episode gives you the context most patients never get.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Slater today
https://calendly.com/thespinaltruth
Pick up a copy of The Spinal Truth: A New World of Medicine
https://a.co/d/gLvsA9Q
Dr. Caleb Slater, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, COMT, Cert. MDT, TPI introduces an innovative approach to patient care. With a fresh perspective on the human body, he achieves remarkable outcomes across a spectrum of symptoms, from pain and nausea to dizziness and headaches. If you've found conventional treatments lacking and merely addressing symptoms, Dr. Caleb Slater offers a new path to healing. With 15 years of dedication to optimal patient care and certifications in Orthopedics, Maitland, and McKenzie techniques. Schedule your appointment today to experience his transformative approach firsthand.
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In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down one of the most misunderstood decisions in modern medicine: when knee surgery actually makes sense — and when it doesn't. Knee pain is one of the leading causes of unnecessary surgery, often driven by imaging findings that don't match real symptoms. Dr. Slater explains why meniscus tears, arthritis, and "wear and tear" on MRI scans frequently lead patients down the wrong path — and why many knee problems actually originate in the spine or nervous system, not the knee itself. Topics covered include: Who truly needs a total knee replacement Why most meniscus surgeries don't fix long-term pain How normal aging gets mislabeled as "severe arthritis" Why cortisone injections are temporary at best How back and nerve issues sabotage knee recovery What should be tried before considering surgery If you've been told surgery is your only option — or you're trying to avoid it — this episode gives you the context most patients never get. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Slater today https://calendly.com/thespinaltruth Pick up a copy of The Spinal Truth: A New World of Medicine https://a.co/d/gLvsA9Q Dr. Caleb Slater, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, COMT, Cert. MDT, TPI introduces an innovative approach to patient care. With a fresh perspective on the human body, he achieves remarkable outcomes across a spectrum of symptoms, from pain and nausea to dizziness and headaches. If you've found conventional treatments lacking and merely addressing symptoms, Dr. Caleb Slater offers a new path to healing. With 15 years of dedication to optimal patient care and certifications in Orthopedics, Maitland, and McKenzie techniques. Schedule your appointment today to experience his transformative approach firsthand.