Different Types of Knee Injections
There is so much confusion out there regarding the different types of knee injections available. In general there are two key categories: cortisone injections and joint viscosupplementation. Cortisone injections are obviously made up of the medication cortisone; whereas, hyaluronan is the medication found in joint viscosupplementation injections. Cortisone is used as an anti-inflammatory, versus hyaluronan is used to help temporarily relieve arthritis knee pain.
Cortisone Knee Injections:
Cortisone is a steroid that is naturally produced in times of stress by our adrenal glands. However, cortisone can also be synthetically produced. If you’ve ever visited your knee doctor for a cortisone injection he is injecting synthetic cortisone into your knee joint. For example, Kenalog, and Celestone are name brands of synthetic cortisone injections.
A common misconception is that cortisone injections are pain relievers. In fact, cortisone injections are used to get rid of inflammation they do not directly treat pain. Of course, if the injection is effective, and the inflammation dissipates this indirectly helps relieve the pain.
The Upside To Cortisone Injections:
Cortisone knee injections are very effective at temporarily relieving swelling and inflammation.
The Downside To Cortisone Injections:
- Cortisone injections for knee pain will be ineffective if there is no swelling or inflammation in the knee.
- If the area isn’t numbed properly the injection can be painful.
- Doctors typically only allow three injections a year since long term and repeated use can cause bone loss, weakening of tendons, and cartilage loss in the knee joint.
- Infections are also possible since the needle is injected into the joint.
- Moreover, cortisone injections can spike blood sugar levels in diabetics, so they have to be carefully monitored.
- Most importantly getting a cortisone injection is not a long term solution to relieving chronic knee pain since it is not repairing or healing the tissue in the joint causing the pain.
Joint Viscosupplementation:
Also known as: Gel Injections/ Rooster Comb injections/Intra-Articular Injections/Hyaluronan injections/Joint-Fluid Therapy
Hyaluronan is the name of the medication found in gel injections, and it is made from chicken combs (hence the name rooster comb injections). It is injected into the knee joint to help temporarily relieve symptoms of arthritis knee pain.
It is thought that hyaluronan, a gel like substance, works by mimicking synovial fluid found in the joint; therefore, lubricating the joint allowing for pain relief. These injections are supposed to act like WD-40 for your knee joint.
Hyaluronan is found in the following brand names: Hyalgen, Synvisc, Euflexxa, Orthovisc and Supartz.
- Euflexxa, and Orthovisc are given in a series of three injections and are injected over a three week period of time.
- The ‘old’ version of Synvisc was also given in a series of three injections over a period of three weeks. Recently, though Synvisc-One replaced the ‘old’ Synvisc injections and just like the new name implies only one injection is required.
- Hyalgen and Supartz injections are a series of five injections that are given over a five week period of time.
According to the FDA it has approved all five of these injections to be used in patients for the temporary relief of arthritis knee pain, and have failed to respond to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, physiotherapy, and over the counter pain killers.
The Upside to Joint Viscosupplementation Injections:
Most of the time, orthopedic surgeons will suggest these injections to patients who want to postpone knee replacements hoping that it will provide them enough relief to delay surgery.
The Downside to Joint Viscosupplementation Injections:
- The downside to these types of gel injections are side-effects like itching, increased fluid, redness, rashes, stiffness, swelling, and increased knee pain and changes in gait (limping).
- Gel injections just add lubrication to the knee joint. GEL INJECTIONS DO NOT GROW OR ADD CARTILAGE IN THE KNEE.
- Studies have indicated that hyaluronan injections work as well as placebo injections. While other studies (funded by the same pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the injections) suggest that they provide temporary relief for 6 months.
- When these injections are administered properly the first thing the doctor will do, prior to the injection but after disinfecting the area is to drain excess fluid from the knee. Interestingly, according to a several studies this step, the draining of the excess fluid, is thought to be the reason patients said they experienced relief -and not from the injection itself.
Unfortunately, the jury is still out on whether gel injections actually work since there are no long term studies (over a year) that have been conducted on a large number of patients. The last thing anyone wants is years from now to find out that the injections have been recalled (much like the Vioxx scandal and Zimmer knee replacements) all because the pharmaceutical companies pushed them through the FDA approval process without doing their due diligence.
Where Does This Leave You?
I believe that if your condition can be treated conservatively you should avoid knee surgery. This means you should exhaust every viable option before considering knee surgery. This includes getting knee injections, cold laser therapy, exercises, and other forms of physiotherapy.
Knee injections don’t work for everyone, and many don’t want to deal with the pain or side-effects that are associated with them. If you’re looking for an alternative then my Cold Laser Knee Program offers a non-invasive, painless treatment option to patients who want to experience knee pain relief, and improved function-without any of the side effects.
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth or surrounding areas call the DFW Spine & Joint Center at 214-596-1051 or visit http://www.HelpMyKneePain.com
Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Knee Doctor Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Different Types of Knee Injections| Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas cold laser expert, Dr.Schnee,D.C. discusses different types of knee injections and alternative knee treatments for knee pain Dallas-Fort Worth.
MRI’s Cannot Predict if Knee Cartilage Can Be Fixed With Knee Surgery
It was once believed that doctors could predict the reparability of a torn meniscus from an MRI. However, according to a new study released in Decembers issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine this is not the case. In fact, when two senior ‘renowned’ radiologists were given a series of preoperative MRI’s of 119 tears to review and determine which tears would need to be repaired versus being removed only one radiologist was correct 63% of the time and the other only 58% of the time. Both agreed on only 38.1% of the cases. The study concluded that even though MRI’s have a 99% accuracy determining if there is a meniscus tear in the knee joint they cannot predict if the knee cartilage can be fixed with knee surgery.
Bernthal the head researcher in the study stated, “Patients having surgery for a meniscal tear will have to wait until the procedure itself to know just what to expect afterward…My assumption is that somewhere down the line we’ll get to the point of being able to predict (reparability). But we’re just not there yet.”
Based on this research study patients diagnosed with a meniscus tear will have to find out AFTER the surgery whether the surgeon was able to repair the tear or remove the tissue altogether. This is a scary thought for patients trying to weigh their options. Especially, since removing the meniscus tissue will likely create a ‘bone on bone’ situation in the knee. (Unfortunately, once removed, the meniscal tissue doesn’t grow back.)
The unpredictability of arthroscopic knee surgery is yet another reason to try conservative therapies FIRST!! Having a doctor treat your knee,who specializes in Cold laser therapy for knee pain is a good place to start with treatments.
If you are suffering from knee pain due to a meniscus tear and you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be able to help you! Call the DFW Spine & Joint Center at 214-596-1051 to find out if you are a candidate for conservative care.
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 Treatment Doctor for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Knee Surgery for Torn Cartilage Cannot Be Predicted with an MRI | Dallas-Fort Worth
Dr. Schnee,D.C., discusses research study which states MRI’s cannot predict if knee surgery for torn cartilage will be successful, Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Top 4 Things Seniors Can Do To Improve Joint Health
Choose the right exercises and stretch daily: Don’t choose exercises that put your joints at high risk for injury. Exercises that include constant pounding, start-stopping motions, shuffling, and twisting will eventually wear down the joints and possibly cause injury. Instead choose exercises that are low-impact on the joints such as cycling, walking and swimming. In addition to daily exercise you should stretch every day. Improving your flexibility will help you avoid injuries to the joints.
Don’t allow your weight to become a BIG issue: An average person takes 2,000-5,000 steps daily. Every 5 pound gain increases the force on your knees by 100,000 pounds per day. Over the years your knees will wear down faster if you weigh more. In addition, the extra weight will put more strain on your lower back and on the discs in your spine.
Vitamins and Supplements: Taking vitamins and supplements on a daily basis is a simple thing you can do to help support and maintain joint health. Consider taking a high quality supplement that has glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM in it. Include Vitamin D3 and Omega-3 fish oil supplements as these have also shown to help lubricate, support and protect the cartilage in your joints.
Get regular chiropractic care: Chiropractors are specialists in spine and joint problems so visiting your chiropractor regularly keeps your spine moving properly. If you don’t have a chiropractor, select one who is trained in multiple techniques. For instance, the Activator technique is a gentle type of chiropractic treatment that is a good option for seniors. With this technique there is none of the usual ‘popping’ or ‘cracking’ that one might associate with a chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors can also utilize non-invasive spinal decompression, cold laser therapy and other forms of physiotherapy to help patients who suffer with more severe arthritis, disc problems, or pinched nerves.
Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C. has been helping people with chronic knee pain with non-surgical knee treatments in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001 at the DFW Spine & Joint Center. She developed a Cold Laser Treatment Knee Program for those wanting knee pain relief and want to avoid knee surgery, knee injections..For more information about how to prevent knee pain visit her website at www.helpmykneepain.com
Cold Laser Treatment Knee Doctor | Tips for Improving Joint Health | Dallas-Fort Worth
Dr. Schnee D.C., Irving Cold Laser Treatment Doctor,discusses the top 4 things seniors can do to help them improve their overall joint health. Dallas-Fort Worth.
After A Series of Failed Knee Surgeries, Patient Finally Gets Knee Pain Relief with Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program
Mrs. Paula C. drove every week from Brownwood, Texas to the DFW Spine & Joint Center in Irving, Texas for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program. She came in complaining of severe knee pain in both knees due to ‘bone on bone’ knee pain. For years she suffered with intense pain mainly in her right knee, but after undergoing a series of failed knee surgeries the pain became unbearable.
Mrs. C’s case is not unique many times knee surgery will actually exacerbate the problem that is supposedly being treated.
Have you had knee surgery, and are still having knee pain? Then may be Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program can help you just like it helped Mrs. C.
Here’s Mrs. C’s story:
“The pain in both knees was very severe. The knees hurt all the time. I couldn’t exercise, clean house, play golf, walk or even sleep without experiencing knee pain. I took pain pills on a regular basis all day and still did not have much knee pain relief. I have tried many things including medications, shots, knee surgery, even a stimulus therapy called Bionicare system where you use electronic pulse sleeves that you wear thru the night. I had four knee surgeries on my right knee including an osteotomy. This is where they cut a wedge in the bone of the lower leg and then staple it back together to try and redistribute the weight so I wouldn’t have to have anymore arthroscopic knee surgeries. [It didn’t work.]
I decided to try Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program because I did not want a total knee replacement and I’m so glad I did. I am very pleased with the results that I have received. I can sleep throughout the night. I was able to decorate for the holidays without pain especially going up and down stairs in the attic. [Also I don’t need to take any pain pills anymore.] The cold laser treatments were painless, and the therapists that took care of me daily were very professional and so much fun and enjoyable to visit with. My overall improvement is at about 90% better than when I stepped foot in the door of the office. I would recommend this facility and this therapy to anyone who has any type of knee pain.”
Paula C., 59 years young, Brownwood, Texas
‘Bone on Bone’ from multiple knee surgeries including an osteotomy, severe osteoarthritis, Baker’s Cyst
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 in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Cold Laser Treatment Program Relieved Knee Pain That Knee Surgery Did Not | Dallas-Fort Worth
Dr. Schnee,D.C. shares testimonial from patient who did not experience knee pain relief from knee surgery, but Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Treatment Program helped her. Dallas-Fort Worth.
Cold Laser Knee Program Helps Dallas Resident Walk and Sleep through the Night Pain-Free!
Dallas resident and full-time property manager Mrs. B could hardly walk without the use of a cane when she initially came in to see Dr. Alexandra Schnee, D.C.
She was diagnosed with a Baker’s Cyst, osteoarthritis of the knee and ‘bone on bone’ by her orthopedic doctor. Since Mrs. B is the sole caretaker for her handicapped husband she chose to delay knee replacement surgery, and instead undergo Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.
The following testimonial was written by Mrs. B after she completed treatments at the DFW Spine & Joint Center.
“At times [the pain in my right knee] was extreme to the point I couldn’t walk. The knee would buckle and the pain was constant. I couldn’t walk, perform my household work, or perform my job [duties]). I tried shots in the knee, [wearing] a knee brace, over the counter medications, and heat on the affected area. The orthopedic surgeon said a knee replacement was quite possible if the Euflexxa shots did not give relief.
Since completing Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program I can do everyday chores and care for my handicapped husband as well as take care of my work obligations-I have no pain in my right knee so I can sleep at night. The knee pain and swelling is significantly reduced and with ice and Biofreeze I am able to do most everything I need to do.”
D. B., Dallas, Texas
Knee Pain Sufferer, Bone on Bone Knee Pain, Arthritis, Baker’s Cyst
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 in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Cold Laser Treatment Dallas | Helps Relieve Knee Pain | Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas-Fort Worth knee pain sufferer is now able to walk, sleep at night without knee pain thanks to cold laser treatment program with Dr.Schnee,D.C.
Dallas Cold Laser Doctors’ Knee Program Helps Fort Worth ‘Bone on Bone’ Knee Pain Sufferer Without Knee Surgery
“Before starting treatments with Dr. Alexandra Schnee at the DFW Spine & Joint Center my knees hurt all the time and I felt pain with every step. Climbing stairs was almost impossible and even leisure activities were a real challenge to perform. I was on so many medications that it affected my kidney function so I had to stop taking them. I also had arthroscopic knee surgery on my left knee and I was told by the orthopedic surgeon that I needed total knee replacements on both knees.
I did not want knee surgery and I couldn’t live with the pain I was constantly in so I decided to try Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program. I am so pleased with my improvement! I can walk a lot easier now and I no longer need to use my cane to get around. My knees feel at least 50% better than before completing this program and the little pain I do feel is bearable.”
Judy L., Fort Worth Texas, 70 years young
DFW Spine & Joint Center Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, D.C.
If you are suffering from knee pain and you want to avoid knee surgery then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be able to help you. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program combines cold laser therapy, non-weight bearing exercises, along with other modalities to help eliminate knee pain and strengthen the knee. If you’d like to read more from patients who have completed Dr. Alexandra Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program 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!
Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Professional for the Treatment of Knee Pain for Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“ Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain Avoid Knee Surgery in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Bone on Bone Knee Pain Eased With Cold Laser Treatment | Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas-Fort Worth, Dr. Schnee, D.C. shares a testimonial with a patient, whose bone on bone knee pain is eased with the help of cold laser treatment.
Muscle Pain Causing Your Knee Pain? Try Eating Ginger
If you’ve never eaten raw ginger you may want to start. A new study reported in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society states that taking daily doses of heat-treated or raw ginger helps relieve muscle pain by nearly 25%. Past research has shown that ginger may have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving or analgesic properties similar to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories). So researchers from the University of Georgia and Georgia College and State University examined the effectiveness of ginger on 74 volunteers. These volunteers were divided into three groups and were either given raw ginger, heated ginger, or placebo. The volunteers were given ginger for 11 consecutive days after they completed 18 eccentric muscle exercises that induced muscle pain.
The results of the study indicated that the raw ginger lowered the muscle pain intensity by 25% and the heat treated ginger lowered it by 23%. The report did not indicate the amount of ginger given to the volunteers during this study.
If you are suffering from knee pain and you want to avoid knee surgery then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be able to help you. Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program combines cold laser therapy and physiotherapy to help eliminate knee pain and strengthen the muscles supporting the knee joint.
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 Doctor for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Knee Pain in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“ Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program Has Been Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”
Irving Cold Laser treatment Doctor Schnee, D.C. discusses the benefits of adding Ginger to your diet to help decrease the inflammation in your muscles
Start Eating Cherries, It May Help Ease Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
The Baylor Research Institute conducted a 12 week pilot study on a total of 20 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. The study involved patients taking the equivalent of 100 tart cherries crushed in a pill form daily. The study found that after 12 weeks between 50 and 60 percent of patients experienced relief by taking just one pill a day. A randomized trial will be completed in 2010 to validate the pilot study. If the results of this study show that the patients who took cherry pills improved then this will give patients another natural option for managing osteoarthritis knee pain. (1)
If you’re searching for alternatives to managing your chronic knee pain because of arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, 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! or visit http://www.helpmykneepain.com
Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Therapy Doctor for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Knee Pain for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“ Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program Has Been Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area Since 2001.”
Cherries Said to Help with Osteoarthritis Knee Pain | Dallas-Fort Worth
Its been found that eating cherries can help with osteoarthritis knee pain.Paired with Dr.Schnee’s cold laser therapy in Dallas is great for knee pain
- Smith Amy Lynn. Cherry Picking (for Arthritis Relief). Baylor Health . January 2010; pg 5.
