Archive for Osteoarthritis
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.”
How Cold Laser Therapy Helps Stave Off the Effects of Osteoarthritis in the Knee
In healthy knees, cartilage is constantly being broken down, replaced and rebuilt. There is a delicate balance between enzymes that break down the cartilage and cells that help restore it. The aging process, disease, injury and surgeries to the knee joint eventually make it so that cartilage is being broken down faster than it is being rebuilt. In osteoarthritis, the balance between cartilage degradation and reformation is disturbed, and there is a net loss of collagen and proteoglycans in the cartilage (two important raw materials that make up cartilage). It is believed that osteoarthritis of the knee develops due to there being more enzymes destroying the cartilage then chondrocytes (cartilage forming cells) creating it. When this process continues over a period of time cartilage begins to erode. This results in increased knee joint pain, deformity, and limited joint mobility.
Cold lasers emit specific wavelengths of light that directly excite the primary energy producer of the cell, chromophore cytochrome C oxidase. This enzyme is found in every human cell, and once it’s stimulated it increases the rate at which ATP (adenosine triphosphate) or energy is produced by the cell. This ‘jumpstart’ in cellular metabolism creates more fuel and energy for the cell, and as a result a cascade of beneficial physiological events occurs. Ultimately, what is realized from a cold laser therapy treatment is a decrease in inflammation, pain and healing time for the injured tissue or joint; as well as the ability for tissue to heal and repair itself without the need for invasive care.
Besides decreasing osteoarthritis knee pain, inflammation and improving joint mobility cold laser therapy is believed to help stave off the effects of osteoarthritis in the knee by inhibiting cartilage destruction, promoting cartilage repair and enhancing cartilage preservation. Cold laser therapy does this by stimulating and inhibiting specific enzymes, proteins, cells and molecules that play a role in osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Cold lasers inhibit the inflammatory protein interleukin-1. According to arthritis research interleukin-1, a cytokine plays a direct role in destroying cartilage and it also suppresses any chance of repairing it. In an osteoarthritic knee, there are high levels of interleukin-1 which is believed to do the following:
- Interleukin-1 stimulates more of the enzymes that destroy cartilage
- Interleukin-1 does not allow type II collagen to be produced-so cartilage cannot be rebuilt or replaced.
- Finally interleukin-1 suppresses cells that make cartilage (chondrocytes) from producing proteoglycans. (Water, Proteoglycans, collagen, and chondrocytes make up the primary framework or matrix for hyaline cartilage, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint.)1.
- Cold laser therapy stimulates Growth factor activity.
- Cold laser therapy helps stimulate fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen) production. Fibroblasts are needed for collagen development which is necessary to make cartilage.2
- Cold laser therapy indirectly helps Increase the tensile strength of the tissue. When Osteoarthritis begins to destroy the collagen/proteoglycan matrix due to the imbalance of enzymatic activity it creates an increase in water content in the cartilage making the knee more susceptible to injury. Studies indicate that cold laser therapy increases the strength of the collagen molecules by increasing intra and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding so there is less likelihood of injuries to the cartilage or meniscus.3,4,5,6
Research indicates that enzymes such as growth factors are increased with cold laser therapy. Growth factors are important for healthy knees because they stimulate chondrocyte activity which in turn allows cartilage to be repaired and rebuilt. (Cartilage repair in the knee is directly dependent on chondrocyte activity). In addition, Growth factors help counter act cartilage degradation by switching off interleukin-1.1
In summary, cold laser therapy is vital to preserving, repairing and stimulating cartilage in an osteoarthritic knee. This is ultimately achieved through exciting or inhibiting either directly or indirectly vital enzymes, proteins, molecules or cells needed to maintain a healthy knee.
To see what many of our patients have to say about Cold Laser Therapy, check out some of their video testimonials, 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!
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.Martin, Richard. Laser-Accelerated Inflammation/Pain Reduction and Healing. Practical Pain Management. Page 24. Nov/Dec 2003.
2. Almeida-Lopes L, et al. Comparison of the low level laser therapy effects on cultured human gingival fibroblasts proliferation using different irradiance and same fluence. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2001. 29(2):179-184.
3.Enwemeka CS and Reddy GK. The biological effects of laser therapy and other modalities on connective tissue repair processes. The Journal of Laser Therapy. Vol 12. World Association of Laser Therapy. 2000.
4. Reddy GK, Stehno-Bittel L, and Enwemeka CS. Laser Photo Stimulation Accelerates Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2001. 9:248-255.
5. Stadler I, et al. 830nm irradiation increases the wound tensile strength in diabetic murine model. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2001. 28 (3):220-226.
6. Parizotto N, et al. Structural analysis of collagen fibrils after He-Ne laser photostimulation. 2nd congress, World Association for Laser Therapy. Kansas City 1998.
Do The Series of ‘Gel Like’ Injections Really Work?
I’m referring to Hyaluronic acid injections aka rooster comb, gel injections, viscosupplements, SYNVISC®, Hyalgen®, Euflexxa®, Supartz®, Orthovisc®, etc.
In my opinion the answer to this question is NO, NOT REALLY. Ultimately though you have to decide for yourself… Let me explain…
I have personally treated and talked to many patients who have had the series of three to five injections listed above (3-5 injections are usually administered over the course of a few weeks. Recently, SYNVISC® came out with one injection). Most patients noticed little to no knee pain relief after the injections. Some noticed that their knee pain and swelling got worse after the injections and they developed what’s known as a ‘hot knee’. Others developed an allergic reaction to the shot and were unable to complete the series. Of the few that responded favorably to the injection they noticed temporary pain relief (which in all fairness the injections do claim that the relief is only temporary and usually lasts for up to 6 months).
There are multiple studies indicating that Hyaluronic injections are as effective as placebo injections,[1] [2] [3]and that the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs is 48 times greater than the effect of Hyaluronic acid injections (or rooster comb injections).[4]
One study indicated that the immediate pain relief patients experienced was not due to the injection itself, but from draining the fluid in the knee, a step doctors take prior to administering the injection to prep the knee.
Most patients mistakenly think that the injections add ‘cushioning’ or cartilage to their knee. Unfortunately, this is not the case! IF the injections are successful the theory behind them is that they help lubricate the knee joint. The injections do NOT stimulate cartilage or increase the amount of cartilage in the knee.
Based on my personal experience and the multiple studies I have read (not the ones funded by the pharmaceutical companies, but ones written by a third party) about the injections. I believe that there isn’t any real evidence that proves their effectiveness in the treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain.
On the other hand, I do believe that an individual should leave knee surgery as their very last option, so it’s certainly worth giving it a ‘shot’.
If you suffer from knee pain due to cartilage loss, ‘bone on bone’, or osteoarthritis of the knee and you want to avoid a total knee replacement or you cannot undergo a total knee replacement due to other health problems then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer to your knee problem. Dr. Schnee’s 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 different 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 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
Source:
1. Brandt KD, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2000; 43: 1192-1203
2. Lo GH, et al. JAMA. 2003; 290: 3115-3121.
3. Karlsson J, et al. Rheumatol. 2002; 41:1240-1248.
4. Archives of Internal Medicine February 11, 2002; 162:292-298.
Severe Osteoarthritic Changes Occur in Knees Over Forty, after Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
I’ve written previous blogs about the subject of arthroscopic surgery, and in most cases I believe it is a useless procedure because in the long run it creates more osteoarthritic changes in the knee which ultimately leaves the patient with the possibility of having to get a total knee replacement later in life. Multiple studies support this idea and clearly indicate that osteoarthritic changes become more prominent after arthroscopic knee surgery. A recent study conducted at the Department of Traumatology in Austria also supports these studies. In this current study, arthroscopic knee surgery was performed on 284 patients to remove part of a torn meniscus.
After the surgery was completed x-rays of the knees were taken. Patients were then X-Rayed and evaluated again 53.5 months after the surgery. Two hundred forty-seven patients had been treated for medial meniscus tears and 37 for lateral menisci tears. Preoperative radiographs were compared with those at follow up and were classified. The results were analyzed statistically.
Osteoarthritic changes were classified as being worse in 38% of the patients after medial and in 24% of the patients after lateral arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (removing part of the meniscus). Patients who were older than 40 years of age and who had undergone arthroscopic partial medial meniscus removal had a significantly higher rate of osteoarthritis than patients who were younger than 40 years of age. The study concluded that partial medial or lateral meniscus removal leads to a significant increase of osteoarthritic changes, after arthroscopic surgery especially if you are over 40 years of age.
If you’re still suffering from knee pain months or years after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer to your problem. Dr. Schnee’s 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 different 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 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
Rangger C, Klestil T, Gloetzer W, Kemmler G, Benedetto KP. University Hospital of Innsbruck, Department of Traumatology, Austria
Study Proves If Your Over Forty Your Knee Will Be Worse Off After Undergoing Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Forty-nine patients who were more than forty years old when medial meniscectomy (arthroscopic surgery to remove the medial meniscus due to a tear) was performed returned for follow-up evaluation one to twelve years postoperatively. Pain was present in 62.2 % of patients who underwent surgery to ‘clean out’ degenerative tears (tears due to arthritis), and in 75% of those who underwent surgery to ‘clean out’ traumatic tears (tears due to injury).
The medial (inner) joint space was significantly thinner in patients with degenerative tears versus those with traumatic tears.
The x-ray findings of osteoarthritis were significantly more severe on the side operated on.
The angle of the knee was relatively more ‘bow legged’ on the surgically treated knee (mean, 5.3 degrees) versus the knee that did not undergo surgery.
If you’ve had arthroscopic knee surgery in the past and you’re still suffering with knee pain then Dr. Schnee’s 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 different 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 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
Jones-RE; Smith-EC; Reisch-JS J-Bone-Joint-Surg-Am. Effects of medial meniscectomy in patients older than forty years. 1978 Sep; 60(6): 783-6.
Low Level LaserEffective with NSAID Resistant Patients
Cold Laser Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis Is an Effective and Side-Effect Free Therapy in NSAID Resistant Knee Pain
In order to ease osteoarthritis knee pain many knee pain sufferers will take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). NSAIDs can either be prescribed or be purchased over-the counter. The most popular drugs are Mobic, Naprosyn, Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), and Alleve. Unfortunately, many of these drugs have long term side-effects and are not EFFECTIVE OR SAFE for those suffering with osteoarthritis knee pain. Many knee pain sufferers have consumed NSAIDs for so long that they are no longer a viable treatment, and they become resistant to the drugs.
Previous clinical studies have shown effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (cold laser therapy) in reducing pain and inflammation. In a recent study, after 6 weeks of NSAID (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) consumption, 386 unsatisfied patients were treated with cold laser therapy. Cold laser therapy was conducted to determine if cold laser therapy was an effective treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain. After completing just 12 sessions the effects of cold laser therapy were assessed. Researchers discovered that there was a statistically significant improvement in pain, night pain, morning stiffness, walking pain, inflammation, and range of motion after the cold laser therapy treatment was performed.
The study concluded that cold laser therapy is an effective and side effect-free adjunctive therapeutic modality for knee pain osteoarthritis even if the patient is NSAID resistant.
Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is a complete treatment plan that combines cold laser treatments, non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee. It is considered a conservative, non surgical, safe, effective treatment program that may help you avoid knee surgery.
If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and suffer with arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
S. Mokmelih. Attarianm. Hosseinis. Bishea. Medimond . Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) in NSAID Resistance Pain (Clinical Study on 386 Patients). Proceedings of the 6th International Congress of the World Association of Laser Therapy. 2006 Limassol, Cyprus.
Cold Laser Therapy Improves Pain, Function And Quality Of Life for Patients Suffering From Osteoarthritis Knee Pain!
A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the efficacy of low level laser therapy as well as to compare two different laser therapy regimes.
Ninety patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups by one of the non treating authors by drawing 1 of 90 envelopes. Each of the three groups consisted of 30 patients. Group A received cold laser therapy and exercise. Group B received a few more minutes of cold laser therapy at a different dose along with exercise. Group C received placebo laser treatments and exercise.
Subjects, physician, and data analysts were unaware of the code for active or placebo laser until the data analysis was complete. All patients were evaluated with respect to pain, degree of active knee flexion, duration of morning stiffness, painless walking distance and duration, and the Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at week 0, 6, 10, and 14.
The study found that there were statistically significant improvements indicated with respect to all parameters such as pain, function, and quality of life measures in the post-therapy period compared to pre-therapy in both groups that received active cold laser treatments. Improvements in all parameters of Group I, and in parameters, such as pain and WOMAC of Group II, were more statistically significant when compared with the placebo laser group.
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis knee pain and you’re searching for an effective, non invasive alternative to knee surgery then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program provides 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 customized 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 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
Gur A, Cosut A, Sarac AJ, Cevik R, Nas K, Uyar. Efficacy of different therapy regimes of low-power laser in painful osteoarthritis of the knee: A double-blind and randomized-controlled trial. Lasers in surgery and medicine . 2003vol.33(no.5).
A Comparative Study of Arthroscopy vs. Conservative Treatment for Arthritis Knee Pain.
The lengthening of the average life span has led to an increase in degenerative diseases, among them osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy, which has been used extensively to decrease pain and inflammation and increase the range of motion, has recently been challenged as the treatment of choice… Since there is limited benefit to be gained from arthroscopy in cases where there is no mechanical damage to the knee, we suggest that nonsurgical, conservative methods be employed in treating the majority of cases of osteoarthritis.
Israeli A, Liebergal M, Friedman JB, Segal D. Osteoarthritis, the hazard of living longer: arthroscopy vs. conservative treatment. Isr J Med Sci. 1996 Feb;32(2):121-2.
Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
If you are searching for a conservative treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain, or if you are suffering from ‘bone on bone’ knee pain, a meniscus tear, Baker’s Cyst, tendonitis, bursitis, a knee injury, or unsuccessful arthroscopic 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.
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 of the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”
According to Two Year Study Reported in the New England Journal of Medicine Arthroscopic Knee Surgery is Useless if You Suffer With Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
A study entitled A Randomized Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This two year, single-center, randomized, controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee was conducted to find out if surgery was effective.
Patients were randomly assigned to surgical lavage and arthroscopic débridement together with optimized physical and medical therapy, or patients were assigned for treatment with physical and medical therapy alone. The outcomes were determined after a 2 year follow up by WOMAC scores (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), short form-36, and physical component scores.
Of the 92 patients assigned to surgery, 6 did not undergo surgery. Of the 86 patients assigned to control treatment, all received only physical and medical therapy. Patients who received physical therapy and medical therapy alone actually had slightly better outcomes two years after the surgery then those who received arthroscopic knee surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee.
The study concluded that after 2 years analysis of the scores that arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee provided no more benefit than optimized physical and medical therapy.
Once again this study proves what conservative doctors have known all along. Non-invasive treatments are the solution to osteoarthritis knee pain.
This randomized study just followed this group of patients for two years. However, I bet that if researchers continued to check in with those patients who received arthroscopic knee surgery they would discover that those patients were worse off year later than those who opted for conservative care. Why? Because arthroscopic surgery ‘cleans out the knee’, and with patients who have very little cartilage to begin due to osteoarthritis the surgery leaves them with less cartilage, and meniscus. As a result of the surgery the knee becomes more vulnerable to arthritis, and patients have a greater chance of having to receive knee replacements in the future.
I doubt that if you are a patient who has been diagnosed with arthritic knees you would want to take a chance with surgery. Especially if you knew that arthroscopic surgery would increase the chances of you having to receive total knee replacements later in life.
Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is a conservative, non surgical, safe, effective treatment program that may help you avoid knee surgery. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is considered a complete treatment plan that combines cold laser treatments, non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.
If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and suffer with arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.”
Source Information
From the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic (A.K., T.B.B., R.B.L., J.R.G., K.R.W., S.H.G., L.M.D., P.J.F.); the Faculty of Health Sciences (T.B.B.); Robarts Clinical Trials, Robarts Research Institute (C.J.W., B.G.F., A.D.); and the Departments of Surgery (A.K., R.B.L., J.R.G., K.R.W., P.J.F.), Medicine (B.G.F., J.E.P.), and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (B.G.F., A.D.) — all at the University of Western Ontario; and St. Joseph’s Health Care (J.E.P.) — in London, ON, Canada.
Alexandra Kirkley, M.D., Trevor B. Birmingham, Ph.D., Robert B. Litchfield, M.D., J. Robert Giffin, M.D., Kevin R. Willits, M.D., Cindy J. Wong, M.Sc., Brian G. Feagan, M.D., Allan Donner, Ph.D., Sharon H. Griffin, C.S.S., Linda M. D’Ascanio, B.Sc.N., Janet E. Pope, M.D., and Peter J. Fowler, M.D. The New England Journal of Medicine. A Randomized Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Volume 359:1097-1107. September 11, 2008. Number 11.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Does NOT Recommend Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines clearly state, “We recommend against performing arthroscopy with debridement or lavage in patients with a primary diagnosis of symptomatic OA (osteoarthritis) of the knee.” 1
Why don’t orthopedic surgeons recommend ‘cleaning up’ the knee with arthroscopic knee surgery for osteoarthritis knee pain? Because it doesn’t work, and most patients feel worse after the surgery and eventually need total knee replacements!!!
Try conservative treatments first before you get cut on!! After all, surgery is always an option, but once surgery is performed there is no turning back.
Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is a conservative, non surgical, safe, effective treatment program that may help you avoid knee surgery. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is considered a complete treatment plan that combines cold laser treatments, non-weight bearing exercises, and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.
If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and suffer with arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, Baker’s Cyst, post surgical arthroscopic knee pain, or a combination of the listed conditions 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!
At the DFW Spine & Joint Center we also 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 non-surgical program that treats herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.
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.Suggested Citation for referencing this document: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee (Non-Arthroplasty). Rosemont (IL): American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); 2008.
