Causes of Knee Pain
Diagnosing Knee Pain
Patients often call our office and read word for word what their MRI report says about their knee. Unfortunately for the patient, often the doctor who ordered the MRI never really took the time to listen to the patient about their case or physically examine their knee. Instead, the doctor just jumped straight to ordering an expensive test. Unless the patient is then ready to get on the fast track for surgery, they are often left to try and put the pieces together for his/her self. In fact, that may be how you found this internet page! We believe that there is a better way to treat patients, both through the diagnosis step, and providing treatment that addresses the root cause of the pain, and not just mask it with NSAID medications, or steroid injections, which only lead to further degeneration and arthritis. To listen to Dr. Hauser discuss his thoughts on diagnosing pain conditions, MRI and X-rays, watch the video here.
In diagnosing the cause of knee pain, it is important to carefully examine the knees. A patient whose knees cave inward has a condition known as knocked-knees. This stresses and weakens the medial collateral ligament on the inside of the knee. Alternately, knees with an outward curvature is a condition known as bow legs. This position applies additional strain on the outside knee ligament, the lateral collateral ligament.
It is imperative to understand the referral patterns of these two ligaments. The medial collateral ligament refers pain down the leg to the big toe and the lateral collateral ligament refers pain to the lateral foot. The ligaments inside the knee are called the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. These ligaments help stabilize the knee, preventing excessive forward and backward movement.
The feeling of a loose knee is reason enough to suspect ligament injury. The cruciate ligaments stabilize the knee. They refer pain to the back of the knee. Posterior knee pain may be an indication of ligament injury. When these ligaments are loose, even in a young person, degenerative arthritis begins to form. Prolotherapy injections causes a stabilization and pain relief to the knee after these ligaments are treated. At Caring Medical, we utilize Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy (an alternative to knee surgery) to strengthen these ligaments.
Prolotherapy for meniscal tear
Another one of the most common knee injuries Dr. Hauser treats at Caring Medical are meniscal injuries. It is our opinion that anyone with a meniscal injury should seek a Prolotherapy consultation prior to undergoing any surgical intervention. The Prolotherapy success rate for a meniscal tear is excellent. Upon examination, meniscal injuries are suspected if the patient reports a "catching sensation" in the knee or if the knee must be "jiggled" to produce full range of motion. Articular cartilage injuries exhibit similar symptoms making it difficult to clinically differentiate them. However, they can be differentiated using X-rays. In our opinion, Prolotherapy injections are indicated regardless of whether the injury causing the knee pain is due to a meniscal or articular cartilage injury. Because of the healing mechanism of Prolotherapy, it is indicated for ligament laxity and tears in the knee as well.
Alternatives to knee surgery
We have published numerous studies and scientific editorial papers on the negative long term effects of knee surgery, particularly where any tissue is removed, such as a meniscectomy. At Caring Medical we have experience using a variety of Prolotherapy solutions to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment, depending on your specific injury or condition. Performing Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy injections full time since 1993, Dr. Hauser has seen this approach provides an excellent alternative to knee surgery with long term results that do not require continued care or possible revisions, the same way surgery can. Read more about why patients come from all around the US and abroad to Caring Medical for Prolotherapy here.
Prolotherapy for knee pain
If you are suffering with chronic knee pain or knee instability and looking for a permanent solution that doesn’t just mask the problem, your answer may be Prolotherapy for knee pain. Whether you know your exact cause of knee pain and looking for a non surgical knee treatment, or you are still looking for a proper knee injury diagnosis, we would love to hear more about your case, and see you in our office for a consultation. Click here to set up an appointment, or call us at 708-848-7789! |
