Arthritic Knee Pain: Do You REALLY Need Surgery?

By Physicians Rehabilitation

Walking, standing and exercising put a lot of strain on our knees. For example, a person that weighs 150 lbs. walking up a flight of stairs will put approximately 500 lbs. of pressure on their knees with each step. Not only is the knee one of the most intricate of all the joints in the body, but they are also the most susceptible to arthritis. Multiple types of arthritis affect the knees, but osteoarthritis is by far the number one type that surpasses all others.

What is Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee?
Positioned between the three bones of the knee (the femur, tibia, and patella) the articular cartilage provides a smooth gliding surface and acts as a shock absorber. This cartilage is smooth and resilient but susceptible to wear and tear. Once the cartilage begins to break down it is difficult to stop and often the cartilage breaks down completely and wears away. This can cause soreness, swelling, and stiffness, and it is the beginning stages of osteoarthritis, or bone rubbing against bone, which in turn causes bone spurs and a great deal of discomfort.

Articular cartilage has no blood supply. The cells that make the cartilage are nourished by the synovial fluid, and hydrostatic pressure of the joint influences the health and pathological condition of arthritis. The wear and tear process can be slowed often by weight reduction, strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints, and by minimizing or reducing activities that put excessive weight on the knee joints. However, there are well-known non-invasive treatments that have helped numerous people regenerate knee joint function and tissue.

Osteoarthritis develops slowly, and the often the pain becomes worse with time. This type of arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, because it is often associated with the aging process. But occasionally, this process can also affect younger people too. The pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities, affect your ability to work and create limited range of motion in your life.

MANY PHYSICIANS WILL RECOMMEND SURGERY, BUT DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

Knee Replacement Surgery is Permanent
Starting with a more conservative approach is a better choice. Knee replacement is a very extreme measure to take without considering all of your options for a condition as common as knee arthritis. Physicians Rehabilitation has an effective knee program that entails several non-invasive treatments that can alleviate pain, increase weight bearing and strength, and regenerate tissue.

Physicians Rehabilitation’s Knee Therapy Program Includes:
• Stem cell therapy
• PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
• Physical therapy
• Bracing
• Rehabilitation
• Supplementation and more

Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation is an FDA approved, guided, hyaluronic acid injection. It is a gel like substance that is very similar to the synovial fluid in our joints, which reduces inflammation and increases cushioning and lubrication of your knees immediately. This treatment protocol is used to treat the symptoms associated with arthritis.

Viscosupplementation (also known as hyaluronic acid injection) involves injecting a lubricating fluid into the knee joint to promote more comfortable knee movement, reduce friction in the joint, and slow the progression of arthritis. This treatment is also commonly paired with physical therapy to help strengthen the joint and improve range of motion. At Physicians Rehabilitation, we perform viscosupplementation with the guidance of advanced fluoroscopic technology to achieve enhanced precision and provide our patients with optimal results. Viscosupplementation is considered to be a safe procedure, with only a small percentage of patients reporting mild side effects.

Stem Cells (Not all Are Equal)
The stem cells are precisely injected into the injured region under ultrasound-guided imaging. These stem cells immediately begin to assist in the normal healing process to regenerate tissue growth, and signal repair to the damaged area.

Our own stem cells are not enough due to limitations, which are usually due to aging, or severe injuries; stem cells from other sources increase platelets in the blood, which travels to the injured area to increase healing more effectively. Many healthcare providers are supplying patients with inferior stem cells that do not work as well as pluripotent stem cells. The pluripotent cells come from umbilical cord donors and produce active cells that are full of nutrients, minerals, amino acids, and proteins and have the ability to reproduce and regenerate new cells throughout the body. Umbilical cord stem cells are one of the most powerful stem cells available because they have the potential to develop into any cell found in the human body.

Pluripotent stem cells can be used to treat and replenish areas of the entire body from head to toe. Stem cells work wonders in repairing and regenerating damaged tissue, and the human body completely accepts them. They offer anti-inflammatory, as well as immunomodulatory effects, which helps modulate the body’s immune responses. No embryonic tissues or tissue from aborted fetuses are ever used. The umbilical cord stem cells are obtained through aseptic recovery technique from full-term delivered babies from a healthy mother.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Fortunately for our patients today, advances in science have allowed us to find new and targeted approaches to treating degeneration and injuries. Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is an “autologous blood therapy” that uses a patient’s own blood components to stimulate a healing response in damaged tissues. PRP provides an alternative to surgery by promoting safe and natural healing.

Research studies and clinical practice have shown PRP therapy to be very effective at relieving pain and returning patients to their normal lives. Both ultrasound and MRI images have shown definitive tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the healing process. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses and the condition is irreversible.

Physicians Rehabilitation
We are a leading provider of nonsurgical orthopedic solutions in the Florida. We cater to patients of all ages and lifestyles who are at their wit’s end with symptoms of osteoarthritis and other debilitating joint conditions. If you’re ready to find meaningful relief from your knee pain, we encourage you to consult with our board-certified physicians about your nonsurgical treatment options – even if other doctors have told you that surgery is the only answer.

No-Cost, No-Obligation Consultations
Physicians rehabilitation will answer all of your questions in a warm, friendly environment. Once complete, you will know exactly what your treatment options are and if Viscosupplementation therapy and our specialized rehab program is right for you.

CALL PHYSICIANS REHABILITATION TODAY!
3380 Tamiami Trail, Unit C, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
855-276-5989 | www.PhysiciansRehab.com