One of the common complaints among patients with knee and joint pain is finding effective, non-surgical treatment. Standard medicine often only masks pain and symptoms with addictive drugs and corticosteroid injections and many times, unnecessary surgery is recommended. The good news is, there are ways to treat knee and joint pain without drugs, steroids, or surgery. When all else has failed, it is important to know that there are other treatment options available.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee and Joint Pain
Hyaluronic acid injections are essentially a form of knee and joint pain treatment that are often used when other options, such as pain relievers, have been proven ineffective. Hyaluronic acid molecules serve as a lubricant and shock absorber within your joints. It is already found naturally within the body, although in individuals with osteoarthritis, large amounts of hyaluronic acid are often broken down and lost. Your body, and more specifically your joints, need hyaluronic acid for optimal functionality and if your joints don’t have enough, the absence of an effective shock absorber means you can expect to experience regular stiffness and joint pain.
Hyaluronic acid is injected in the form of a solution or gel. The injection is given in the same way a normal shot would be and is injected directly into the knee joint. In most cases, you will receive a series of injections over a two- to five-week period, generally given one week apart to gauge their effectiveness.
Regenerative Therapies Using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Regenerative PRP therapy is a minimally invasive way to heal the underlying causes of your knee pain, rather than treating the pain alone. It can slow degenerative conditions and, in some cases, help damaged tissue regenerate and heal. At Feel Amazing Institute, the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the red cells, white cells, and platelet-poor plasma. Platelet-rich plasma contains growth factors that positively affect cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and intracellular matrix synthesis, all of which are involved in healing and tissue regeneration.
PRP as a source of growth factors can be used in musculoskeletal regenerative therapies. To enhance proliferation and regeneration, the PRP can be activated with the addition of calcium gluconate, ozone, and a protein concentrate. For difficult cases, the patient may receive a double or triple draw of blood to increase the number of platelets 200–300%. The discomfort with PRP is minimal, and there is little recovery time involved.
Ozone or Prolotherapy or Prolozone Therapy
Ozone (O3), natural vitamins, and/or natural sugars can be injected into a joint or muscle, promoting regenerative healing and minimizing pain.
Manual Therapies and/or Exercises
There are thirteen muscles and four bones that make up the knee joint, all of which must work in balance. However, the muscles crossing the knee can get too taut or too loose, affecting the mechanics and bony alignment and causing pain. At Feel Amazing Institute, we have the expertise to recalibrate the muscle tone and improve the mechanics of the knee joint to give pain relief. Bracing, Kinesio Taping, electrical therapies, ultrasound, acoustic waves, and laser lights may also assist in the pain relief process.
We’re Here for You
Our office strives for excellence, and we are consistently furthering our education and techniques to improve the care we provide to you. If you are looking for treatment of bulging discs and/or herniations, neck or back pain, spinal misalignment and correction, sciatica, neuropathy (numbness and/or burning and pain in feet and hands), you have found the right place for your health care needs. We have comprehensive programs for injuries sustained in an auto accident or at work, or if you have peripheral neuropathy, balance disorders, or need VAX-D spinal decompression treatments. Whether you are suffering from chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or seeking overall improved health and performance, we have the skills and experience to help you work toward your goals.
Dr. Richard Hiler, DABCN and his medical team offer a complimentary telephone consultation. For questions or to schedule an initial consultation the office can be reached at 239.330.1000.
www.FeelAmazing.com
3031 Airport-Pulling Rd N., Naples
Feel Amazing Institute has proudly served the Naples area with comprehensive Physical Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, and Chiropractic services since 1998.