Have your knees had it? Are ice and Tylenol not delivering enough relief these days? Perhaps you’ve already tried physical therapy or an over-the-counter knee brace. While self-care is important, it may not be enough. At Lipson Pain Institute, we offer several treatment options to make chronic knee pain more manageable.
People of all ages are susceptible to knee pain; in fact, The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports over 25% of adults in the U.S. are afflicted.
Injuries such as a bad landing on the tennis court or strain from the ups and downs of gardening may have torn cartilage or ruptured a ligament. Medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis or gout, can cause unrelenting pain. Non-surgical treatment options are available and can offer significant pain relief.
Lipson Pain Institute offers a range of options to treat knee pain:
Steroid Injections
Corticosteroids can reduce the joint inflammation suffered by many arthritis patients and are effective as one part of a treatment plan. Steroid injections don’t slow the disease process and typically need to be repeated every three to four months, but they can provide significant, temporary relief.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is a relatively new option, designed to encourage the knee joint’s self-healing process by injecting the patient’s stem cells taken from their bone marrow or other tissues. Combined with platelet-rich plasma, the stem cells can stimulate the growth of cartilage. The resulting reduction of joint degeneration and inflammation relieves pain and often improves mobility.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid is made naturally by the human body to lubricate joints and keep them moving smoothly. This important substance thins in the joints of osteoarthritis patients. Injecting hyaluronic acid rebuilds the lining, or fluid, in knee joints and may be effective for as long as six months. Treatment involves a series of weekly injections given over the course of a month.
Genicular Nerve Block
When more conservative treatments are ineffective and knee replacement is not an option, patients with knee pain may benefit from a genicular nerve block. This procedure temporarily anesthetizes the nerve branches, known as genicular nerves, around the knee joint. It can relieve pain and restore function in some patients. For those who experience effective pain relief after a nerve block, Dr. Lipson may recommend genicular nerve ablation, which targets and numbs specific nerves around the knee to prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain. Nerve ablation typically provides longer-lasting relief.
Knee Replacement
Some cases of chronic knee pain are best resolved through knee replacement surgery, particularly when these less-invasive treatment options have not been sustainable. Lipson Pain Institute collaborates with orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to ensure patients receive the highest quality care to achieve positive outcomes.
Lipson Pain Institute follows a multidisciplinary approach and maintains a caring, compassionate atmosphere to help improve the quality of life for those in pain. For more information or to schedule a consult, please call us at 863-293-4800 or visit our website at lipsonpaininstitute.com.
