Prolotherapy treatment for knees is the number one condition we treat. It is a very effective treatment for cases of arthritis and knee instability that are the result of tendon and ligament damage. Prolotherapy for these type of knee conditions is effective 85% of the time. However, it is not effective for a torn meniscus, unless it is a peripheral tear.
Knee pain is a common symptom among people of all ages. There are many causes of knee pain, and your soreness may not be a sign of anything serious. However, consult a doctor if the pain gets worse over time.
Symptoms
The severity of knee pain varies, from a dull ache to sharp and disabling pain. The pain’s location also varies, and you can feel it in one location, or the whole knee may be swollen. Other signs that accompany knee pain include:
- Stiffness and swelling
- Instability or weakness
- Popping sound
- Inability to bend or extend the knee
- Limping because of the discomfort
- Redness and warmth
Causes of Knee Pain
Injuries to the ligaments, tendons, and bones surrounding the knee cause knee pain. For instance, basketball and soccer athletes are prone to ACL injuries due to sudden changes in directions. Fractures occur when a bone that surrounds the knee breaks and interferes with the knee’s functioning. The knee joint can also be dislocated during a car accident, in which case you require urgent medical attention.
Arthritis also causes knee pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. Other conditions that trigger knee pain include:
- Bursitis
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Patellar tendinitis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Baker cyst
Diagnosing Knee Pain
Every possible cause of knee pain needs different diagnostic tests. First, the medical practitioner inspects your knee for tenderness, pain, swelling, or visible bruising. The physician may urge you to move your leg as they push the joint to determine the integrity of the knee’s ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The doctor may also suggest imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI, and lab tests to detect inflammation or infections.
Knee Pain Treatment
The cause of knee pain determines the treatment path. Your doctor may recommend pain-relieving drugs or medication to treat the medical conditions causing your pain, such as gout and osteoarthritis. In other cases, you may get relief from injection medications like corticosteroids and lubricants.
Mild knee pain can respond well to home remedies like rest, ice, elevation, and heat. If you have severe knee injuries, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Prolotherapy for Knee Pain – Dr. Albert Franchi, Stoneham, MA
Prolotherapy for knee pain is the number one condition Dr. Franchi treats at Boston Prolotherapy and Orthopedics. Part of the reason is that knee pain is very common with an aging population. Dr. Franchi’s treatment plan is effective 85% of the time for knee pain caused by arthritis, ligament laxity, and joint instability.
One important distinction: Dr. Franchi treats MCL (medial collateral ligament) injuries but not ACL tears. The MCL is accessible for precise injection and responds well to prolotherapy. The ACL is deep inside the joint, difficult to inject accurately, and has a much lower success rate – particularly with complete ruptures. Additionally, prolotherapy does not treat torn meniscus injuries except in cases where the tear is at the periphery. However, many patients diagnosed with a meniscus tear actually have underlying joint arthritis as the primary driver of their pain – a condition that prolotherapy can address effectively.
Dr. Franchi offers a complimentary phone consultation to help you understand whether your specific knee condition is a fit for prolotherapy. Call 833-Go-Prolo (833-467-7656) or 781-299-7521.