Dealing with chronic knee pain can be an exhausting endeavor. Juggling over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapies, exercises, and icing to keep pain, swelling and stiffness under control can feel like a full-time job. Ultimately, managing the condition can start to dictate what activities and plans you’re comfortable with, and there comes a time when medical intervention for relief becomes a real consideration. However, if you’ve been told that surgery is your only option, the experienced, double-board certified physicians at OrthoGen are here to offer some essential factors and alternatives to consider.
The Pros and Cons of Knee Surgery
The knee is a complex joint and depending on the issue and severity of pain, there are a variety of surgeries that are available, from arthroscopic surgeries using small incisions and surgical tools to total knee replacements that remove and replace the entire structure of the joint. When patients experience complete degradation of the bones and cartilage in the joint and are immobile because of debilitating pain and dysfunction, knee surgeries can be a useful option to restore function and mobility.
Unfortunately, patients often report lingering postoperative pain after surgery, only minor improvements in physical function, and poor quality of life following their procedures. Also, older adults and those with a history of heart failure or COPD are more likely to experience hospital readmissions. Any surgery is risky, and with expensive copays, lengthy, painful recoveries, and the double the risk of revision surgeries within 12-20 years for younger patients, every other avenue for pain relief possible should be explored before deciding on surgery.
Knee Surgery Alternatives
Exploring surgical alternatives that are available and appropriate for knee pain relief depends on understanding what can go wrong in the joint. In many cases, knee joint pain is caused by a degenerative condition called Osteoarthritis (OA) and results from the wear and tear of activity, aging, and dietary and lifestyle influences. In others, damaged or injured tissues like ligaments and cartilage may need support for proper healing and function. In both circumstances, injection therapies lead the industry as safe and minimally-invasive knee surgery alternatives.
What is Injection Therapy?
Injection therapies are a group of treatments that involve injecting supportive elements directly into the area of injury. In some cases, this can be a natural lubricant produced by the body every day, reducing pain and inflammation and re-lubricating the joint for better mobility. Injection therapies can also include PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, which uses highly concentrated growth factors in the blood to stimulate the body’s natural repair processes with limited adverse effects as each sample is collected from the patient’s own blood. Additionally, options like OrthoGen’s GenStem protocols use a combination of techniques and regenerative technologies like the application of differentiating stem cells to nourish the joint and boost natural healing abilities. These can be delivered to injured tissues with pinpoint accuracy for fast and effective results.
Prepare to Move Into Strength and Stability
Perhaps one of the most beneficial aspects of injection therapies is the impressive recovery possible when they are included as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It’s been said that “motion is lotion” for soothing painful joints. Still, when overwhelming pain leads to immobility, vulnerability in the joint structure, and surrounding muscle weakness, recovery is a slow, uphill battle. However, when paired with properly-fitted bracing and skilled physical therapeutics, regenerative surgical alternatives can result in tremendous gains in the overall range of motion, mobility, and recovery in a much shorter time frame.
Let OrthoGen Be Your Last Best Resort
When it feels like you’ve tried everything for your chronic knee pain relief, you can trust OrthoGen Clinics to offer the best options available in non-surgical intervention and regenerative medicine to treat your injury at the source. Our protocols have helped thousands of patients avoid painful and expensive knee replacement surgeries; meet with us today to learn how we can help you get back to doing the things you love!