Conservative, or non-surgical, treatment is effective in the early stages of arthritis. Conservative care includes weight loss, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone shots. In knee arthroplasty, published studies have defined incisions for less invasive surgery as approximately one-half that of contemporary incisions. Some techniques allow a minimally invasive approach to the knee to minimize incisions into the extensor mechanism or the suprapatellar. pouch.