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Knee Replacement Alternatives: What to Know
Blog > Knee Pain Alternatives
It is very difficult living with chronic knee pain — we get it. Perhaps your knee pain has gotten so bad that you’re limping, unable to move well, or taking pain meds to get through the day. If your provider has examined you, done some imaging, and sees that arthritis is causing your knee pain, it may be suggested that you have partial or total knee replacement surgery.
Ouch! Bone-on-Bone Pain
Some folks experience bone-on-bone knee pain. This happens when there is direct contact or rubbing between the bones in a joint due to the loss or deterioration of the protective cartilage that normally cushions the joint. This condition commonly occurs in degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis.
In a healthy joint, the ends of the bones are covered with a smooth layer of cartilage that allows for smooth movement and acts as a shock absorber. However, in conditions like osteoarthritis, the cartilage gradually wears away, leading to bone-on-bone contact and friction within the joint. This can result in significant pain, inflammation, stiffness, and decreased mobility.
If you have bone-on-bone pain, you know it feels like a deep, achy, throbbing pain in your knee. It may worsen with movement or weight-bearing activities and can be accompanied by swelling, joint stiffness, and a grinding or crunching sensation known as crepitus.
Treatment options for bone-on-bone pain include conservative measures, such as pain management through medications, physical therapy, activity modifications, and assistive devices like braces or canes. In more severe cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, knee replacement surgery may be suggested to alleviate the pain and restore joint function.
Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery
Let’s unpack what a knee replacement entails. Knee arthroplasty, or knee replacement, is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or diseased knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint, or prosthesis. The procedure is typically performed to relieve severe knee pain and improve function if you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic injury to the knee joint.
During a knee replacement surgery, the damaged surfaces of the knee joint, including the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), are removed, and replaced with metal or plastic components that mimic the natural joint surfaces. These components are usually fixed in place with bone cement or are designed to allow bone to grow into them for stability. The goal is to alleviate pain, improve joint function, and enhance the patient’s ability to perform daily activities and engage in physical exercise.
How Can I Fix My Knees Without Surgery?
You may want to consider a knee surgery alternative before you do anything else. According to Johns Hopkins, artificial knees last about 15 to 20 years before needing a revision. If you want to hold off or even possibly avoid knee replacement surgery, there are some things you can try to alleviate pain. For example, weight loss can take the pounding off your knee joints. Maintaining a healthy weight can protect the cartilage in the knee joint. Your provider may recommend low-impact exercise to improve strength and mobility. If the leg muscles are stronger, it takes strain off the knee joint.
QC Kinetix and Regenerative Medicine Therapy
QC Kinetix provides a knee replacement alternative that can alleviate discomfort and provide greater range of motion without surgical intervention.
Using regenerative medicine, we provide knee pain treatments that are designed to help you feel better, restore functionality, and improve the quality of your life. We can customize a therapy plan based on your pain, medical history, and medication. Regenerative medicine treatments can help the body heal faster using natural biologics. We are able to harness your body’s natural growth factors, then, by concentrating them, we use them in your affected joints for faster, natural healing. This knee replacement alternative reduces inflammation, leading to a faster recovery and decreased overall pain. Our goal is to help you resume your daily activities as quickly as possible through restorative treatments that use the best healing ingredients your body provides.
If you are looking for a knee replacement alternative, schedule a free consultation, and we’ll take time with you to discuss the benefits of regenerative therapies.
Joint & Bone Health Quickstart Program
QC Kinetix Joint & Bone Health supplements help your body to repair and renew injured joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, while reducing inflammation of the bursae. Unlike steroids or pharmaceuticals, our supplements for joints work with your body to promote healing.
Supplements can boost your overall joint health as part of a general fitness program. However, they are particularly valuable for treating damaged or inflamed and painful joints. The Arthritis Foundation finds that joint health supplements show promise for relieving pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of arthritis.
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