The Best Way To Relieve Knee Arthritis Pain
- Most effective:corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections
- Least effective: acetaminophen
So what does this mean for you? If you have knee osteoarthritis and have not tried corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections to relieve your pain, you may want to ask your doctor if its right for you.
See How Effective is Weight Loss for Treating Knee Arthritis Pain?
Another point to keep in mind is relieving the pain of a degenerating joint though medicationoral or injectabledoes nothing to improve the condition of the joint. In fact, too many cortisone injections can actually harm the joint’s soft tissues, which is why your doctor will restrict how often you can receive them.
In order to improve the joint’s condition, the best method is to use the window of pain relief provided by medication to get going with a physical therapy or exercise program.
Reason #: Pinpoint Accuracy Of The Injections
Our medical staff is helping hundreds of patients find relief from chronic knee pain by targeting injections with precision accuracy to insure optimal results.
We combine the lubricating viscosupplementation injections with advanced ultrasound guided imaging that allows us to watch your joints move in real time, helping to pinpoint your problem. This technology allows our medical staff to see inside the arthritic knee joint and deliver the cushioning gel medicine EXACTLY where it needs to be. The added benefit is that this also allows the procedure to be virtually painless.
Research has shown that if injections are performed into the knee joint without this type of image guidance that the injection might miss the right location up to 25% of the time. With the technology used at the Brain & Body Health Center, no expense has been spared to avoid total knee replacement surgery!
Why Is Knee Injection Done
Knee injection is performed to treat the pain arising from various diseases of the knee joint. The type of medication injected and the frequency depends on the condition being treated. Based on the diagnosis and extent of the disease, the doctor would recommend a treatment plan.
Indications for the various agents used for knee injections are as mentioned below.
Steroid injections
- Botox inhibits the sensory neurons causing pain. Hence, joint pain and stiffness significantly improve.
Platelet-rich plasma injections
- PRP is obtained from the patients own blood. It contains growth factors that stimulate collagen formation and lubricate the joint. PRP can improve joint function and reduce pain.
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Reason #: Viscosupplementation Is Covered By Medicare
Medical care can be expensive, and sadly that cost often keeps seniors on a fixed income from getting the treatment they desperately need.
The good news is that the viscosupplementation treatments offered at Brain & Body are covered by Medicare!
This has allowed countless patients with knee pain right here in Winchester the opportunity to get the best state of the art care without draining their lifes savings theyve worked so hard for.
Thats why we are offering a special knee pain consultation that is open to anyone in the region with knee pain who would like to see if the advanced medical procedures discussed here can help you.
This complimentary consultation is no obligation and allows the medical staff to determine if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Give us a call today at 540-678-1212 if you are interested to see if you qualify for this treatment. You deserve it and were here for you.
How Can We Help?
Troubled By Knee Arthritis But Not Ready For Knee Replacement Here Are 5 Alternatives
Millions of Americans suffer from knee arthritis, which can cause pain, stiffness and a decrease in activity level and quality of life. Eventually, this often leads to knee replacement surgery, which remains the most effective treatment for permanent pain relief. However, knee replacement should be reserved as a last resort. There are several minimally invasive options you and your surgeon can try before committing to knee replacement surgery:
MAKING THE DECISION
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How Is Knee Injection Performed
Knee injection is a relatively quick procedure and may be performed under local anesthesia to avoid pain. A needle of appropriate size and length connected to a syringe is introduced into the joint and the medication is injected. Radiological guidance may sometimes be used to aid injection.
After the procedure, the patient would need to rest for a few minutes, and then they can resume normal activities. Patients may experience pain, swelling, and bruising, which resolve in a few days. Ice packs and pain killers can help reduce pain and bruising.
What Are The Risks Of Total Knee Replacement
Most people do very well with their minimally invasive total knee replacement. But as with any surgery, the procedure does carry some fairly rare risks. Possible complications of the surgery include:
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Infection
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Loosening of the components of the knee
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Limited motion of the knee
There is also a very slight risk that the procedure might not relieve your pain. Your own risk of complications may vary according to your age and your other medical conditions. Ask your provider about the risks that most apply to you.
Pre-Operative Education
Johns Hopkins offers in-person educational sessions to help you prepare for knee replacement surgery. During your class, we’ll review important aspects of your care and what to expect before and after surgery. You will be able to ask questions and meet many of the staff who will be caring for you in the hospital.
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What Happens During Total Knee Replacement
Your provider can help explain the details of your particular surgery. An orthopedic surgeon will perform the surgery aided by a team of specialized healthcare professionals. The whole procedure may take a couple of hours. In general, you can expect the following:
Most likely, you will be given spinal or general anesthesia so that youâll sleep through the surgery and wonât feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Or you may receive local anesthesia and a medicine to keep you relaxed but awake.
A healthcare professional will carefully watch your vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure, during the surgery.
You may receive antibiotics, during and after the procedure, to help prevent infection.
Your surgeon will make an incision over the middle of your knee, cutting through your skin and underlying tissue.
He or she will remove the damaged portions of your thigh and shin bone, removing a little of the bone beneath as well.
Next, metal implants are placed into the joint space, usually cementing them into the remaining bone.
In most cases, your surgeon will also remove part of the underside of the kneecap.
A plastic spacer is inserted into the space between the metal implants, for ease of movement.
The layers of your skin and muscle will be surgically closed.
Who Is A Candidate
Gel injections are usually given after other more-conservative measures have proven ineffective. Most physicians will recommend that you first complete a course of physical therapy to increase the strength in the muscles that surround your knee. The physician may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication or recommend an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory as part of a less-invasive approach. If exercise and medication do not control your symptoms, your physician may then recommend that you try gel injections.
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Minimally Invasive Knee Pain Treatments
Arthroscopic procedures are a common method for smoothing rough cartilage surfaces due to a tear or divet, removing bone spurs related to injury or osteoarthritis, and repairing torn ligaments. A camera and surgical instruments are inserted into the knee joint through 3-4 incisions of 1 centimeter each. These repairs are made on an outpatient basis and often under local anesthesia.
Autologous cell or stem cell injections and implantations are the exciting future of joint therapy. These treatments involve harvesting a person’s own chondrocytes or stem cells and growing them in the laboratory. Over months, injections of these cells into the knee can form new articular cartilage covering the joint. Particularly in young patients with traumatic knee injuries and/or a small defect in the cartilage, the autologous or stem cell injection treatments offer a good option prior to knee replacement.
Microfracture, performed arthroscopically, is a procedure where small perforations are made in the knee bone, causing the bone to bleed. This blood contains bone marrow cells that stimulate cartilage growth which protects the injured joint. Microfracture is currently reserved for younger patients, who grow tissue more quickly and require an alternative to multiple knee replacements over their lifetime.
Are The Ads Accurate
Based on the 30-second TV commercial described above and a six-page online brochure, some of the claims seem exaggerated, misleading, or incomplete. For example:
Finally, learning that Coolief was “cleared” by the FDA might lead you to assume the FDA evaluated the evidence and concluded this procedure is safe and effective. In fact, Coolief did not require specific FDA approval because the FDA concluded it was similar enough to other “legally marketed” devices.
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Facts You Should Know About Knee Pain
- Knee pain is a common problem with many causes, from acute injuries to complications of medical conditions.
- Knee pain can be localized to a specific area of the knee or be diffuse throughout the knee.
- Knee pain is often accompanied by physical restriction.
- A thorough physical examination will usually establish the diagnosis of knee pain.
- The treatment of knee pain depends on the underlying cause.
- The prognosis of knee pain, even severe knee pain, is usually good although it might require surgery or other interventions.
Torn Acl Symptoms And Signs
With an acute injury, the patient often describes that they heard a loud pop and then developed intense pain in the knee. The pain makes walking or weight-bearing very difficult. The knee joint will begin to swell within a few hours because of bleeding within the joint, making it difficult to straighten the knee.
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Protection Rest Ice Compression And Elevation
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation may help treat mild knee pain that results from a soft tissue injury, such as a sprain.
Protection refers to protecting the knee from further injury, for example, by taking a break from the activity that caused it.
Rest can reduce the risk of further injury and give tissues time to heal. However, stopping all movement is not advisable, as this can lead to stiffness and, in time, muscle weakness.
Ice can help reduce swelling and inflammation. It should be wrapped in a cloth and applied for 20 minutes several times on the first day of injury. Never put ice directly the skin, as this can lead to further damage.
Compression with a knee support, for example, can increase comfort levels. The support or bandage should be firm but not tight.
Elevation, or keeping the leg raised, will encourage circulation and reduce swelling. Ideally, the knee should be above the level of the heart.
Alternative To Knee Replacement Surgery And Steroid Injections
A revolutionary, new, non-surgical treatment called Viscosupplementation Therapy is providing hope and relief for many knee pain sufferers.
Viscosupplementation therapy is a procedure involving the injection of gel-like substances into a joint to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid. This procedure has been shown to be 86% successful in alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis and is covered by most major medical insurance providers and Medicare.
At Northeast Knee & Joint Insititute, we offer this minimally invasive procedure that requires no surgery, can provide immediate results, and has little to no recovery time.
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Articles On Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis can affect your every move: walking, climbing stairs, even sitting or lying down. Surgery can help bring relief, but doctors almost always advise trying other treatment options first. These include:
Medications you take by mouth. Over-the-counter options include acetaminophen as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen . NSAIDs fight inflammation. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription.
Creams or ointments you rub onto the skin. Different forms are sold over the counter. You can get stronger versions with a prescription.
Medications injected into the joint. Corticosteroid injections, also called cortisone shots, fight inflammation and can offer fast pain relief that may last up to several months. Injections of hyaluronic acid boost the natural joint fluid that keeps knees moving smoothly. They may take up to a couple of months to have their full effect but can last up to 6 months or more.
Exercise and physical therapy. Exercise strengthens the muscles that support your knee. Physical therapy also helps. A physical therapist can design the program for you and see if you need supportive braces, splints, or canes. If you need to lose weight, diet and exercise can help you shed some pounds and take some of the pressure off your knees.
What Are Knee Pain Symptoms And Signs
- Chronic use/overuse conditions: osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, IT band syndrome, patellar syndromes, tendinitis, and bursitis
Below is a list of some of the more common causes of knee pain. This is not an all-inclusive list but rather highlights a few common causes of knee pain in each of the above categories.
Acute knee injuries
Fractures: A direct blow to the bony structure can cause one of the bones in the knee to break. This is usually a very obvious and painful knee injury. Most knee fractures are not only painful but will also interfere with the proper functioning of the knee or make it very painful to bear weight . All fractures need immediate medical attention. Many fractures require significant force, and a thorough examination is performed to detect other injuries.
Ligament injuries: The most common injury is the ACL injury. An ACL injury is often a sports-related injury due to a sudden stop and change in directions. The remaining ligaments are injured less frequently.
Meniscus injuries: The menisci are made of cartilage and act as shock absorbers between bones in the knee. Twisting the knee can injure the meniscus.
Dislocation: The knee joint can be dislocated, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Knee dislocation can compromise blood flow to the leg and have other related problems. This injury often occurs during a motor-vehicle accident when the knee hits the dashboard.
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What Are The Possible Causes Of Knee Pain
Many conditions and injuries can make your knees hurt. Some common knee pain causes can include overuse, injuries and arthritis.
Overuse
Repetitive activities can lead to pain Some examples are:
- Patellofemoral pain : pain under or around the kneecap, often related to mechanics, shape of the knee cap, or
- Osgood-Schlatter disease: In children, swelling in the shinbone below the kneecap due to overuse.
- Tendonitis, involving the quadriceps or patella tendon: repetitive jumping sports such as volleyball or basketball.
Injury
Sudden trauma can damage parts of your knee joint. Common knee injuries can include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament injury or medial collateral ligament injury: Damage to the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint.
- Kneecap dislocation: Movement out of place by your kneecap .
- Meniscus tear: Tear in the knees cartilage .
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that can impact many different joints in your body. When you have arthritis in your knee, it causes the joint to swell. This can be a painful condition. Arthritis in your knee is more likely to develop over time as you age. There are several different types of arthritis that can affect the knees, including:
What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Knee Pain
A health care professional will begin by asking questions related to the person’s general health and then specifically to the nature of the knee pain .
Next, an examination of the knee will be performed. This will include bending the knee through the full range of motion, checking for stability of the ligaments, and evaluating for any tenderness and swelling. It is often helpful to compare the results of the examination of the painful knee with the other knee. Frequently, this is all that is required to make a diagnosis and start treatment. In several research studies, it has been found that an experienced examiner is as reliable as X-ray examination.
Sometimes the doctor might want to do further studies such as the following tests.
Radiologic tests
Plain X-ray can establish fractures and degenerative changes of the knee.
MRI is used to evaluate the soft tissues of the knee for ligament tears or cartilage and muscle injuries.
Blood tests
If gout, arthritis, or other medical conditions are suspected, a health care professional might order blood tests.
Removal of joint fluid
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What Natural Home Remedies Relieve Knee Pain
Over-the-counter pain medications can frequently alleviate the pain. If someone is taking these medications on a regular basis, he or she should see a health care professional to evaluate the knee pain for proper diagnosis and to avoid the potential side effects of chronic medication use.
The RICE mnemonic is often helpful, especially for minor injuries:
Rest: Rest the joint, and take a break from your usually activities involving the knee joint.
Ice: Applying ice can help with pain and inflammation.
Compress: A compression bandage can help prevent swelling and help knee alignment. It should not be tight and should be removed at night.
Elevate: Elevation can help with swelling and resting of the knee.