“Never Events” on the Rise Make Total Knee Replacement Surgery An Even Riskier ‘Event’

According to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid a “Never Event” is defined as “A serious adverse event during inpatient [hospital] stays that should never occur and are reasonably preventable through adherence to evidence based guidelines.”

For instance, operating on the wrong knee or leaving surgical instruments in the patient after surgery are considered “Never Events.”   Recently The Los Angeles Times reported that Placentia-Linda Hospital in California was fined $25,000 after surgeons working at that hospital replaced a patient’s left knee but used a replacement part designed for the right knee.  The patient came in complaining of knee pain 5 months after the surgery was performed and had to undergo a second total knee replacement.

These preventable errors have been on the rise since 2007 and are expected to increase 4% a year according to the AON, the leading global provider of risk management services.

Unfortunately, these mistakes put patients at risk because they must undergo a “revision” knee replacement surgery to fix the first knee surgery.

Regardless of whether an individual has undergone one knee replacement or a revision knee surgery here is a list of just a few of the risks involved when having a total knee replacement.

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Nerve damage
• Artery damage
• Loosening of the prosthesis
• Loss of range of motion in the knee
• Fracture
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Complications from Anesthesia
• Allergy to metal
• Complications from Blood transfusion

Please note:  There is no such thing as ‘minor surgery’ so obviously, some of these risks apply to every surgery- even arthroscopic 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.,- Cold Laser Doctor for the Treatment of Knee Pain  for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“Helping People with Knee Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Total Knee Replacement Surgery is Even Risker Than First Thought | Dallas-Fort Worth

Dr.Schnee,D.C. Dallas Cold Laser Doctor in Irving TX, explains how having a total knee replacement surgery is even riskier than first thought Dallas-Fort Worth.

Injured Muscles Heal Faster With Cold Laser Therapy

Scientists in Brazil evaluated the effects of cold laser therapy on traumatic muscle injuries in rats.  The injury was done by single-blunt injury to the gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscle).  Scientists separated the rats into three groups.   Group I  was the control group (uninjured and untreated).  Group II was injured but did not receive cold laser treatments.  Group III was injured and received cold laser treatments.  The results showed that after 5 days of cold laser treatments on Group III  the activities of complex II and succinate dehydrogenase increased when compared to the control group. Moreover, the results indicated that cold laser treatments on the injured rats significantly increased the activities of complexes I, II, III, IV and succinate dehydrogenase, when compared to the group of injured  rats that did not receive treatments.

The research showed that cold laser therapy increases mitochondrial ATP synthesis which in turn accelerates the muscle healing process.

If you are suffering from knee pain due to a muscle injury then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer to your problem!  Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Program is considered a complete treatment for knee pain 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 knee pain , ‘bone on bone’ knee pain, knee pain from meniscus tears, bursitis knee pain, tendonitis knee pain , Baker’s Cyst knee pain, 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, D.C., an associate at the DFW Spine & Joint Center, offers various Cold Laser Therapy Programs for the treatment of shoulder pain, neck pain, and lower back pain.  Dr. Hanson also offers non-surgical programs for the treatment of herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves combining Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser 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 Knee Joint Pain  Avoid Knee Sugery in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area since 2001.”

Cold Laser Therapy Can Help Injured Muscles Heal Faster | Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas-Fort Worth Cold Laser Doctor, Dr.Schnee,D.C. shares info on how cold laser treatments help injured muscles, not just joint pain- heal faster.

Silveira PC, Silva LA, Fraga DB, Freitas TP, Streck EL, Pinho R.  Evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in muscle healing by low-level laser therapy. J Photochem Photobio B. 2009 Jan 21.

Laser Education 101: The History of Lasers

LASERs were first theorized by Albert Einstein in 1917.  In 1960, Dr. Endre Mester, a Hungarian scientist, invented laser technology.  Prior to being FDA Cleared in the U.S. cold lasers were being used in Europe, Japan and China to treat acute and chronic conditions. In addition, there were at least 2,000 studies already published proving the efficacy of cold laser therapy.  Years later, and after significant developments in the technology, cold lasers were finally cleared in the U.S. in 2001.

Currently, there are multiple types of cold lasers that are FDA cleared for the treatment of a variety of health conditions including arthritis pain.   In addition,  cold laser therapy is used in many hospitals, rehabilitation, and clinics in the U.S. and around the world.  In Europe, China, and Japan, it is not unusual for patients to undergo cold laser treatments to treat chronic and acute conditions in order to reduce pain, swelling and restore function.  In the United States almost every professional sports team and professional athlete uses cold laser therapy to treat injuries.  Cold lasers allow them to speed up the healing process, decrease pain, increase range of motion, and eliminate swelling.

Cold Laser therapy has also proven to be a versatile and high-tech solution in the health care field.   By simply changing the wavelength, frequency and power of a cold laser it can be used for various health conditions.   For example, it is becoming more common for orthopedic doctors, pain management specialists, cosmetic surgeons, dentists, dermatologists, and podiatrists to use cold lasers as part of their arsenal of tools in assisting patients with their treatment goals.

Stay tuned for Laser Education 102…Learn how cold lasers work, why they work and why it’s the best option for treating knee pain.

If you’re suffering from knee pain then Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program is a complete treatment program that combines low-level laser treatments (cold laser treatments, cold laser therapy ),and other modalities that promote rehabilitation of the knee.  Every patient’s program is different depending on whether they suffer from knee pain due to arthritis, ‘bone on bone’, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis, a 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, D.C., 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 in the low back and neck with Cold Laser/Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C., practices in Irving, Texas at the DFW Spine & Joint Center-Your Cold Laser 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.”

The History of Lasers and Cold Laser Therapy | Dallas-Fort Worth

The history of cold laser therapy is examined and how it has become widely used for treating a variety of conditions including knee and joint pain.

Facts about Menisci and Meniscus Tears

• Each knee has two tough, rubbery menisci. 
• The menisci are located between the tibia (shin bone) and femur (thigh bone).
• One meniscus sits on the inside of the knee joint and is referred to as the medial meniscus.  The other meniscus rests on the outer part and is referred to as the lateral meniscus. 
• The medial meniscus is “C” shaped and the lateral meniscus is “O” shaped.  
• The menisci act as shock absorbers and help equally distribute body weight across the knee joint. 
• Without menisci the knee joint would wear down unevenly. 
• Meniscal tears are one of the most common knee injuries.

• Normal knees have 20% better shock-absorbing capacity then those without meniscus.
• Surgical procedures of the meniscus are performed on an estimated 850,000 patients each year.
• Meniscal injuries may be the most common knee injury. The prevalence of acute meniscal tears is 61 cases per 100,000 persons.
• The overall male-to-female incidence is approximately 2.5:1.  Males between the ages of 31-40 years, and  females between the ages of  11-20 years have a higher prevalence of meniscal tears.
• In patients older than 65 years, the rate of degenerative meniscal tears is 60%. In older patients the meniscus will typically become drier and more brittle therefore it can tear more easily.
• Menisci are able to distribute the load and forces over a much larger surface area which decreases contact pressure by increasing contact area.
• Menisci transmit up to 70% of the joint load.  Partial menisectomy may increase peak loads up to 65%.  A total menisectomy may increase peak loads up to 235%.
• Menisci also protect the underlying articular cartilage. Removing 15-34% of a meniscus may increase contact pressure on the articular cartilage by more than 350%. (This is an important fact if you are considering arthroscopic  Surgery for a Meniscal Tear).

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, D.C. 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, D.C.an associate at the DFW Spine & Joint Center, offers non-surgical cold laser therapy programs for neck, back and shoulder pain relief.  Dr. Hanson’s Cold Laser Therapy Program help treat herniated, bulging, degenerated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves in the low back and neck with Cold Laser Therapy and Spinal Decompression Therapy.

If you live in the Dallas/ Fort-Worth Metroplex and suffer with 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 Therapy Doctor for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Knee Pain for the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“ Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Therapy Knee Program Has Been Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area Since 2001.”

Meniscus Tear Facts for Knee Pain | Dallas-Fort Worth

Knee pain and Cold Laser Therapy expert, Dr. Alexandra Schnee, DC of Dallas Texas shares some facts about Meniscus tears and how her treatments help.

Source Information:  Wheeless Textbook of Orthopedics online at Wheelessonline.com