Exercise Just as Beneficial as Knee Surgery for the Treatment of Runner’s Knee

A team of researchers from the ORTON Research Institute in Helsinki, Finland conducted a randomized controlled study to determine if arthroscopic knee surgery was more effective than exercise for the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.  Patellofemoral pain syndrome or Runner’s Knee is a common diagnosis given to patients who suffer from knee pain around the front of the knee.  It is most often diagnosed in runners, jumpers, cyclists or in patients who heavily stress their knee joints. Patients usually experience dull, achy pain in the front of the knee and under the knee cap when they climb stairs, squat, or kneel.   Patellofemoral knee pain includes conditions such as chondromalacia patella, anterior knee pain syndrome, and patellofemoral misalignment.

In the study researchers randomly separated 56 individuals into two groups suffering from chronic patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).  The first group underwent an eight week exercise program: while the other group underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, and then an eight week home exercise program.  Nine months later the team assessed the outcomes of both groups by using the Kujala score for knee pain and mobility.  They also determined the cost of care associated with each patient. Interestingly, both groups experienced a decrease in pain and improvement in knee mobility and there was no significant difference in the average Kujala scores between both groups.  Other tests were also conducted but even those didn’t reveal a significant difference in outcomes between the two groups. The only significant difference between the groups was the healthcare costs.  Obviously the group that underwent knee surgery and exercise had higher healthcare costs then the group that only exercised.

Researchers also conducted a two year follow up, and still found that there were no differences in outcomes between the two groups.

The study concluded that exercise was just as effective as arthroscopic knee surgery but less costly for the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome, and that arthroscopic knee surgery should not be routinely used to treat knee pain.

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If you are still suffering from knee pain around your knee cap and you’ve already tried strengthening the knee by exercising then call Dr. Alexandra Schnee, D.C. at the DFW Spine & Joint Center.  Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be able to finally help relieve your knee pain.  Dr. Schnee’s program combines cold laser therapy, non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities to help chronic knee pain sufferers get their life back.

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214-96-1051 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.”

Source: Jyrki A Kettunen et al “Knee arthroscopy and exercise versus exercise only for chronic patellofemoral pain syndrome. A randomized controlled trial” BMC Medicine December 13, 2007, 5:38

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.

Could Exercise Be Making Your Knee Pain Worse?

Most individuals suffering from a meniscus tear, cartilage loss, severe arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or a baker’s cyst in the knee find it impossible to exercise without experiencing knee pain.  ‘No pain, no gain’ should not be the motto when it comes to exercising if you have been diagnosed with a knee problem.

Knee exercises should only be performed if the soft tissue in and around your knee joint are not damaged.  If you have been diagnosed with a meniscus tear, tendonitis, bursitis or a baker’s cyst you WILL MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE BY EXERCISING.  In addition, if you’ve  been diagnosed with ‘bone on bone’ or severe arthritis then there is a 60% chance that you will tear the meniscus or remaining cartilage in your knee if you  exercise or do anything that stresses the knee joint.  The reason for this is that the cartilage/meniscus in an arthritic knee is drier and more brittle and tears easier than the cartilage in a healthy knee.

Again, exercise should only be performed once the muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and meniscus in the knee are healed and repaired; otherwise, exercise will only compound the problem and cause further damage to the joint.  Once the tissues in and around the joint have been treated properly then the FINAL STEP is to rehabilitate the muscles around the joint by exercising.  Otherwise, if you don’t treat what is causing your knee pain exercise will only COMPOUND THE PROBLEM AND FURTHER DAMAGE THE JOINT and the muscles around the joint will NEVER get stronger.

If you want your knee to get treated but do not want to undergo knee surgery then consider our Cold Laser Knee Program.  Most professional athletes undergo a series of cold laser treatments in combination with other modalities to get them back in the game quicker because it helps them avoid often career ending surgeries.

Cold lasers help reduce/eliminate pain and inflammation, repair and heal damaged/ irritated tissue.  In addition, Cold Lasers speed up the healing process so that you can get back to exercising again, safely without side-effects.  Our Cold Laser Knee Program is considered a complete treatment plan that combines low-level laser treatments (cold laser treatments), non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.  Every patient’s program is unique depending on whether they suffer from arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions.

If you can’t exercise because you are suffering from knee pain due to cartilage loss, ‘bone on bone’, or osteoarthritis of the knee and you want to avoid surgery then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer to your knee problem. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area 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!

Avid Cyclist and Fitness Enthusiast Diagnosed with Cartilage Tear

Before I started treatments with Dr. Schnee it was hard to walk or run without pain in my left knee. I knew that my next step would have to be arthroscopic surgery.

Now that I’ve almost completed with my Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Program, I am pleased with my overall experience and results. At this point in my care I am 80% better then I was before starting care. The swelling in my knee is down and it is easier to walk.

If you suffer from knee pain and swelling due to arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, a meniscus tear, Baker’s Cyst, tendonitis, bursitis, a knee injury, or knee surgery, and live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program combines non-weight bearing exercises (so that you don’t do more damage to the knee joint), multiple cold lasers, and other therapies so can enjoy life again without your knee pain stopping you!

Or if you would like more information about my Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you today!

Ron S., 65 years young, Garland TX

This patient gave Dr. Alexandra Schnee permission to use his unsolicited testimonial for marketing purposes.

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

Exercise is ‘A Catch22’ for Patients Suffering with Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

Osteoarthritis sufferers reported gaining an average of 42 pounds since being diagnosed with osteoarthritis because they were more sedentary. Even though exercise is a key component to weight loss, 75% of patients’ state they would like to exercise more but can’t because of pain.¹

If you have osteoarthritis knee pain and are ready to stop the vicious cycle of gaining weight because your knees hurt and you can’t exercise then call our office at 214-596-1051 so that you can find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Alexandra Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program. This program combines non-weight bearing exercises (so that you don’t do more damage to the knee joint), multiple cold lasers, and other therapies so that your osteoarthritis knee pain is reduced/eliminated. Once your osteoarthritis knee pain is significantly reduced you will be able to start exercising more which in turn will help you lose the weight!

Located in Irving, Texas, the DFW Spine & Joint Center includes a team of professionals that are dedicated to improving your quality of life. Professional and amateur athletes, dancers, musicians, retirees and people who are just suffering with pain go to the DFW Spine & Joint Center for care. Using the facility to improve their condition, thousands of successful cases have been treated since 2001.

Dr. Alexandra Schnee primarily treats patients suffering with knee pain due to arthroscopic knee surgery, arthritis, bursitis, ‘bone on bone’, tendonitis, meniscus/cartilage tears, and Baker’s Cyst’s.

At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we have programs available that can help most musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, disc and nerve problems, hip, ankle, foot, hand and wrist pain, etc…

Dr. Robert Hanson, an associate at the DFW Spine & Joint Center, offers a very successful nonsurgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.

If you live in the Dallas/ Fort-Worth Metroplex and have osteoarthritis knee pain, and would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program or any of our other programs please call our office at 214-596-1051, or fill out the form on the right hand side of this page and a FREE 16 page report about the treatments will be mailed to you within 72 hours.

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

1.“Improving Musculoskeletal Care in America” Project of the Council on Research, Evidence-based Practice Committee, and Department of Research and Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, April 2003.