Knee Injections Failed to Work for ‘Bone on Bone’ Dallas Resident, but Cold Laser Therapy Relieved Their Knee Pain

“Before completing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program my knee pain was constant and annoying.  I couldn’t get up from certain positions (lying down or sitting) without experiencing knee pain.  I also couldn’t walk, or stand for any length of time.  I tried medications, physical therapy and medications but they only provided me with temporary relief. The knee injections were so painful that afterwards I would be in tears.  I was taking the maximum amounts of pain medication, but they were becoming ineffective.  I was told by the orthopedic surgeon that I needed a total knee replacement because I was ‘bone on bone’ but I wanted to avoid it.

Since completing Cold laser therapy for knee pain from ‘bone on bone’ I can now do low impact exercises and stretches without experiencing knee pain.  I am very pleased that I can move my knees without knee pain. My knee is 75% better then it was prior to cold laser treatments.  Dr. Schnee and her staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient in assisting me with my recovery.  I am thankful that this type of therapy is available for patients with ‘bone on bone’ knee pain.”

Janice Wilson –Teacher, Dallas, Texas

If you are suffering from ‘Bone on Bone’ knee pain and severe arthritis and cannot bear the thought of undergoing a knee replacement then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer!

Click here to find out how other patients have been able to avoid knee surgery with Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or fill out the form on the right side of the screen to get your FREE 16 page report mailed to you!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Another Dallas Resident is Now Able to Avoid Knee Surgery with Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program

Before Cold laser treatments my knee pain was so severe that I couldn’t bend my knee, walk, sleep through the night, or work!  I was diagnosed with a meniscus tear, ‘bone on bone’ arthritis, and a ligament tear by an orthopedic surgeon.  I had tried knee injections and pain medications but neither of those things helped my knee pain.  I was told to do total knee replacements, but I opted out to try Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.  Now since completing treatments my knee is 75% better then it was before treatments and I can walk without a limp; I am able to work comfortably, and I can sleep better!

Mr. Martin Perez is a 59 year old Master plumber in Dallas, Texas

Click here to read more testimonials from patients who have completed Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Click here if you would like more information mailed to you about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Dr. Alexandra Schnee, D.C. your  Dallas and Fort Worth Cold Laser Doctor; Treating  knee pain due to arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, bursitis, tendinitis, bakers cyst, meniscus or cartilage tears- without surgery.

Study Suggests Results from Therapy Are Just As Good As Knee Surgery for a Torn ACL

Unfortunately, every young athlete is at risk for tearing their anterior cruciate ligament or ACL.  Most of the time orthopedic surgeons and patients rush to surgery to reconstruct the ACL, but the problem is there are no long term research studies proving that surgery is better than therapy.  And even though there is no proof indicating that knee surgery has better outcomes then rehab alone there are approximately 200,000 ACL reconstructions performed and over 3 billion dollars  spent annually on this procedure in the United States.

Recently Swedish Researchers published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine proving that rehab alone is just as good as knee surgery for torn ACLs.  Researchers randomly assigned 121 young active adults with torn ACLs into two separate groups.  The first group ONLY underwent therapy to rehabilitate the knee with the OPTION to have knee surgery in the future.  The second group had therapy first but also had ACL reconstruction surgery.

Surprisingly, after two years the results were about the same in both groups when it came to pain and activities of daily living.  And most importantly 61% of the patients that were in the group that only had therapy did not choose to have knee surgery.

Sadly, since there is a lot of money to be made by surgeons and hospitals performing surgeries, this study will probably not make a difference in the number of ACL reconstruction’s performed annually. However, I hope that individuals with a torn ACL give therapy a chance and talk to their doctors about all nonsurgical options available, including cold laser therapy, prior to undergoing ANY type of knee surgery.

Keep in mind, surgery is always an option, but should only be considered once all other options have been exhausted.

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program at the DFW Spine & Joint Center in Irving, Texas.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Doctor for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Findings in the New England Journal of Medicine appear here http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/363/4/331

Knee Pain Sufferers Consider Knee Injections Painful and Ineffective Compared to Cold Laser Therapy for Treating Knee Pain

Most patients suffering from chronic knee pain have tried at least one cortisone injection and a series of SYNVISC™ or some other type of gel injections with little to no long term results.  The most common injection given to patients with knee pain is a steroid or cortisone shot.  Cortisone injections usually work to help decrease pain and inflammation but the results are often temporary.  Since there are long term side effects with the use of cortisone injections patients are limited to three injections per year. Gel injections are also available such as SYNVISC™, Hyalgen™, Euflexxa™, Orthovisc™, Supartz™ (otherwise known as cox comb, or rooster comb injections). These injections are usually performed in a series over the course of a few weeks, and just like cortisone injections gel injections only ‘cover up’ or treat  the symptoms not the  cause of the problem.  Knee pain sufferers consider gel injections painful and ineffective compared to cold laser therapy for treating knee pain.

Recently, Linda Paschal, a 59 year old realtor from North Richland Hills completed Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Program in Irving, Texas after initially complaining of very severe knee pain. The following is what she said about her experience with knee injections versus cold laser treatments.

“I sought medical help [from an orthopedic doctor for my knee] and was first given a steroid injection [cortisone injection] in the knee and later I was given a series of cox comb shots.  THEY WERE EXTREMELY PAINFUL.  I felt relief, but it wasn’t permanent and certainly not as effective as the cold laser treatments have been.  My medical doctor never recommended knee surgery because I was not a candidate for it.  The only solution I was given (which was not even a solution) was to have a series of cock’s comb shots twice a year and to just learn to live with the knee pain.  I am so pleased that I completed Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.  I am 100% better and I intend to keep coming back so that I can stay that way!”

Linda’s experience is not unique.

Jill Vann, 62 years young, from Plano Texas is another example of a patient who recently completed cold laser therapy for knee pain with Dr. Schnee.  Before coming in for treatments with Dr. Schnee she tried cortisone injections, physical rehabilitation, a knee brace, and a series of three Euflexxa injections.  Ms. Vann stated, “I had zero results from the knee injections.  The Euflexxa did not work for me, the pain never lessened.” She continued to say, “[Since completing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program I am walking without knee pain, I don’t wake up at night whenever I move my leg.  There are times I even forget my knee ever hurt so badly.  [Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Program] has helped me get back on track.  Anyone who has knee issues, needs this program.”

If you have had knee injections including cortisone, SYNVISC™, Othovisc™, Euflexxa™, Supartz™, Hyalgen™, rooster comb, cox comb etc. and they did not work for you then call our office at 214-596-1051 to find out if you are a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program at the DFW Spine & Joint Center in Irving, Texas.

If you would like more information about cold laser therapy for knee pain fill out the form on the right side of the screen and a free 16 page report will be mailed to you within 72 hours.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Dallas Fort Worth’s Cold Laser Doctor for Knee Pain -“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Do You Suffer With Knee Pain On The Inside Area Of The Knee Where The Knees Touch?

The majority of patients who experience knee pain have it on the inside area of the knee where the knees touch (medial joint line).  Many times this type of knee pain is due to cartilage loss on the inside of the knee, or a meniscus or cartilage tear.

Zena W., an 80 year old, retiree in Dallas, Texas is a perfect example of a patient who came to see Dr. Schnee complaining of burning pain in the medial aspect of her knee and in the back of her knee.  Her knee pain had become so severe that it kept her from sleeping at night because every time she turned over in bed and her knees touched, she would wake up from the pain.  She also felt pain when she walked that was so intense, it make her feel ‘sick’.

Zena W. came to see Dr. Schnee at the DFW Spine & Joint Center after having visited her orthopedic doctor for several gel injections (SYNVISC injections) and one cortisone injection.  Unfortunately, these knee injections were ineffective and did nothing to ease her knee pain.  Finally, the orthopedic doctor recommended a MRI after having done everything he could do to help her, finally suggesting total knee replacement surgery.  The MRI showed a medial meniscus tear, cartilage loss, and a Baker’s Cyst (popliteal cyst).

Zena W. did not want a knee replacement because she hated the thought of ‘having her bones cut off.’ She also lived in an independent living facility and felt that she did not have the support needed to go through major surgery and complete the rehabilitation necessary needed after a total knee replacement.  As a result she decided to undergo Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program in an attempt to achieve some knee pain relief without undergoing knee surgery.

This is what Zena W. wrote about her experience with Dr. Schnee after completing treatments at the DFW Spine & Joint Center:

“I am pleased with the overall results of my treatment.  I am 95% better now after completing care [Dr. Schnees’ Cold Laser Knee Program].   Now it doesn’t hurt very much to walk and [my knee] feels better all over without the pain in my knee.  Thanks Dr. Schnee for your personal interest. You are a great doctor.”

If you have severe knee pain on the inside area of the knee where the knees touch (medial joint line) and have been diagnosed with arthritis of the knee, bone on bone, or a medial meniscus  tear and you do not want surgery then call Dr. Schnee’s office at 214-596-1051.

Or if you would like more information about cold laser therapy for knee pain fill out the form on the right side of the screen to get your free 16 page report mailed to you.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Doctor for the treatment of Knee Pain  for  the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Do you have ‘bone on bone’ knee pain and want to avoid or are not a candidate for total knee replacement surgery?

There is a large subgroup of patients 55 years of age and older who have been diagnosed as having ‘bone on bone’ or severe degenerative arthritis in their knees, and are either not candidates for knee surgery or do not want to undergo total knee replacement surgery.  Many of these patients either feel they are too young and the replacement won’t last; concerned with the risks associated with knee surgery; in poor health and are unable to have surgery; or unwilling to do the rehab necessary after the surgery is performed.   Usually patients suffering with ‘bone on bone’ knee pain or arthritis knee pain regard knee replacement surgery as their final option and are thrilled if they experience a 50-90% improvement in knee pain relief with non-surgical options such as cold laser therapy.

Mrs. Nikki G., from Carrollton Texas ,is a good example of someone who was diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon as having ‘bone on bone’ knee pain but after completing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is now virtually pain free and will avoid knee surgery.

“I visited an orthopedic surgeon twice [before visiting with Dr. Schnee] because everyday activities were a hardship.  For awhile I had to use crutches but it was just impossible [to get around].  Everything seemed twice as hard to do.  My knee hurt most of the time especially when walking, standing and stair climbing.  It was difficult to straighten my knee making it difficult to sleep comfortably.  The orthopedic surgeon suggested that I start out trying anti-inflammatories and physical therapy.  He said that if those options didn’t work then I would have to have shots and then [knee] surgery.  I did some physical therapy but was not happy with the progress. [ So I finally decided to do research on non-invasive knee treatments on the internet and I found Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program].  Since completing care with Dr. Schnee I can go about my normal activities with ease and I can finally sleep at night without knee pain.  I am very pleased with my treatment and the results from cold laser therapy.  I feel like my knee is about 80% improved!”

Are there patients who don’t realize any improvements after completing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program?  Yes, just as with any other treatment, there is a small percentage of patients who may not realize any improvement at all.  However, the good news is that are no side effects from treatments.

In addition, Dr. Schnee has two policies which she strictly adheres to preventing her from wasting anyone’s time.  First, if she doesn’t believe that she can help a patient she will not accept their case. Second, she will not start care with a patient whose expectations are unreasonable.   For example, a patient suffering with significant cartilage loss with the goal of running a marathon would not be considered a candidate for the Cold Laser Knee Program.  On the other hand, the same patient with the simple goal of significantly less knee pain, better joint mobility, a reduction in swelling and an overall better quality of life would be considered an ideal candidate for care.

If you are suffering from ‘bone on bone’ knee pain or severe degenerative arthritis in the knee and want to avoid or are not a candidate for knee surgery, and would be thrilled with a 50%-90% improvement in knee pain, reduction in swelling, and increased joint mobility then consider Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program as an option.

To obtain a FREE report with more details about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program, complete the form located on the right side of the screen and one will be mailed to you within 72 hours.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Dallas Cold Laser Doctor for treating knee pain-“Helping People suffering from chronic Knee Pain using Cold Laser Therapy since 2001.”

Hip Strengthening Exercises May Reduce Patellofemoral Knee Pain in Female Runners

A new research study reported in Science Daily by Tracy Dierks, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University Indiana indicates that female runners who suffer from patellofemoral knee pain (pain behind the knee cap) can reduce or eliminate it significantly with hip strengthening exercises.

Patellofemoral knee pain is a very common running injury that is usually caused by the knee cap not tracking properly, which causes the back of the knee cap to rub up against the thigh bone.  If left untreated the cartilage behind the knee cap will wear down and osteoarthritis will develop.   It is most commonly diagnosed in females due to the angle from the hip to the knee joint being wider in females compared to males.

The study used a pain scale of 0-10 with 3 representing the onset of knee pain and 7 representing strong knee pain while running on a treadmill. Eleven female runners participated in the study and they all started the study with a 7 on the pain scale and ended the study with a 2 or lower.  After performing hip strengthening exercises for 2X a week for 6 weeks they were all able to reduce or eliminate the pain in their knees.

This is a very promising study which suggests that every individual suffering with patellofemoral knee pain should consider trying a hip strengthening exercise program first to see if that helps relieve the pain behind their knee caps.

If you have already tried hip strengthening exercises and are still suffering with patellofemoral knee pain and want to avoid knee surgery then Dr. Schnees’ Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer!  Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program combines cold laser therapy, non-weight bearing exercises, with other modalities to help eliminate knee pain, and strengthen the knee.

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Hip Exercises Found Effective at Reducing, Eliminating Common Knee Pain in Runners, Study Suggests.  Science Daily. June 7, 2010.

What Causes Osteoarthritis of the Knee?

Before I discuss what causes osteoarthritis of the knee let me review what healthy cartilage in the knee is made from. The cartilage in the knee joint is called hyaline cartilage or articular cartilage.  It is found at the ends of joints so that it allows for smooth movements.  It is made up of the following:

• 70% Water
• 15% Collagen (a protein).  Type II
• 15% Proteoglycans (protein), Chondrocytes (cartilage forming cells), non collagen proteins, lipids and organic materials

In a healthy knee, cartilage is always in the process of being remodeled due to normal wear and tear of the knee joint. Hyaline cartilage is constantly being broken down by the enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase, and being replaced and rebuilt by chondrocytes (cartilage cells).  In a healthy knee there is a balance between cartilage cells that are rebuilding and replacing cartilage and enzymes that are breaking the cartilage down. Unfortunately, genetics, aging, weight, disease, surgery and injuries to the knee all play a role in contributing to throwing off that balance and allowing more cartilage to be broken down then regenerated.  When the amount of cartilage is being degraded faster than it is being synthesized by chondrocytes than cartilage naturally degenerates.

One of the main proteins that is believed to be responsible for causing this imbalance in enzyme activity and inhibiting cartilage development is interleukin-1.  This cytokine creates inflammation in the joint, it stimulates more of the enzyme that destroys cartilage, it does not allow collagen to be produced, and it suppresses chondrocytes from producing proteoglycans.

It is reasonable to assume that if interleukin-1 was inhibited, and the number of chondrocytes outnumbered the enzyme that destroyed cartilage then the effects of osteoarthritis would be negligible.

Click here to read more about How Cold Laser Therapy Helps Stave off the Effects of Osteoarthritis in the Knee by Inhibiting Interleukin-1 and Stimulating Chondrocytes

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Studies on Cold Laser Therapy and its Effects on Cartilage Regeneration

Over the years, several studies have been performed to determine the effects of cold laser therapy on cartilage regeneration.

One study took a cartilage sample from the right knee of a 19 year old patient.   Chondrocytes (cartilage cells) were isolated and suspended for cultivation, and cultures were incubated for 10 days.  The cultures were then separated into 4 groups. The first three groups of cultures received cold laser treatments for 10 minutes for five consecutive days.  Each culture had different laser parameters assigned to it.  Group 4 was the control group and did not receive any treatments.   The Groups that were treated with laser showed great results in terms of cell viability and higher levels of Calcium and alkaline phosphate as compared to the untreated group.  This study concluded that laser therapy improved chondrocyte activity without causing any damage to the cell.

And in a separate study published in Biotechnology cold laser therapy was performed on holes drilled in mice’s ears to determine if cartilage would grow back.  Mice were chosen as the subject because the chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in mice’s ears are similar to those in human cartilage.   In the study, holes were drilled in both ears.  The left ear was treated with cold laser therapy while the right ear was left untreated.  The results indicated that after two days only the treated ear  showed clear evidence of perichondrium (precursor to cartilage) while the untreated ear showed NONE.  After four days the treated ear had significant ingrowth of perichondrium into the hole versus the control group were there was only an active perichondrium zone.  Macroscopical and histological examinations revealed that cold laser therapy had a direct effect on cartilage regeneration.

Click here to view and listen to patients who were diagnosed with ‘bone on bone’ knee pain, and osteoarthritis of the knee and how Dr. Schnees’ Cold Laser Knee Program helped them avoid knee surgery

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

1.Biostimulation Of Human Chondrocytes With Ga-Al-As Diode Laser: ‘In Vitro’ Research. Morrone G, Guzzardella G A, Tigani D Et Al. Lasers Surg Med. 1997;21(5):480-4.

2. THE INFLUENCE OF LOW LEVEL INFRA RED LASER THERAPY ON THE REGENERATION OF CARTILAGE TISSUE P.Lievens , Ph.Van Der Veen.  Biotechnology. 2000; 28(2):193-201.

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery to Repair ACL Injuries or Meniscus Tears Won’t Stop Osteoarthritis from Developing In the Knee

A study published in the journal of Radiology (August 2010 issue) followed 326 men and women 10 years after they had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair torn Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL) and meniscus tears. Initially, researchers hypothesized that patients who had arthroscopic knee surgery would lower their risk for developing osteoarthritis in their knee and also lower their risk for other complications such as loss of cartilage, lesions in the bone marrow, and narrowing of the joint space.  However, this was not the case, osteoarthritis developed in the men and women’s knees’ despite doing knee surgery to fix the injuries.

This research study confirms what I view on x-rays on daily basis which is surgery does NOT stop osteoarthritis it actually helps contribute and speeds up the process of cartilage loss and deterioration!

The bottom line is knee surgery will not prevent osteoarthritis in the knee, so don’t be fooled into thinking that it will…

To read about How Cold Laser Therapy Helps Stave off the Effects of Osteoarthritis in the Knee click here.

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

1. Stein, Jeanine. Surgery to Repair ACL and Meniscus Injuries May Not Reduce Osteoarthritis Risk.  Los Angeles Times. June 29,2010.