Knee pain can significantly impact one's quality of life, affecting people of all ages due to various causes, including injuries, overuse, or degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a promising non-invasive treatment option for those seeking relief without resorting to surgery or medication. This innovative therapy utilizes shock waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes and promote tissue repair in the affected knee. This article will delve deeper into the ins and outs of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and its remarkable effectiveness as a non-invasive solution for knee pain.

Long-Term Relief: Many patients experience long-lasting pain relief and improved knee function after completing the recommended course of ESWT, providing sustainable benefits.

Potential to Delay Surgery: ESWT can offer a conservative treatment option to delay or avoid surgical intervention for some individuals with knee conditions that might eventually require surgery, providing an alternative for those looking to explore non-surgical options first.

How ESWT Works for Knee Pain:
ESWT works by stimulating blood flow and promoting the production of growth factors in the affected knee. The shock waves trigger a regenerative response, promoting tissue healing, reducing inflammation, and alleviating pain. Additionally, ESWT targets the nerve endings responsible for pain transmission, leading to pain relief and improved joint function.

The ESWT Procedure:

During an ESWT session for knee pain, the patient lies down while the healthcare professional applies a special gel to the skin surface above the knee. This gel helps transmit the shock waves efficiently. The ESWT device is positioned on the targeted area, and shock waves are precisely delivered to the affected knee. The procedure is generally well-tolerated and takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the case.

Effectiveness and Benefits of ESWT for Knee Pain:

Numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in reducing knee pain and improving joint function. Some of the key benefits of ESWT for knee pain include:

Non-Invasive Treatment: ESWT is non-surgical, avoiding the risks and recovery of invasive procedures, making it a safer option for many patients.
No Medication Required: Unlike many pain management options, ESWT does not involve using medications, reducing the risk of side effects and complications.
Quick Recovery: ESWT typically allows patients to resume their regular activities shortly after the treatment, minimizing downtime and disruption to daily life.
Long-Term Relief: Many patients experience long-lasting pain relief and improved knee function after completing the recommended course of ESWT, providing sustainable benefits.
Potential to Delay Surgery: ESWT can offer a conservative treatment option to delay or avoid surgical intervention for some individuals with knee conditions that might eventually require surgery, providing an alternative for those looking to explore non-surgical options first.

Who is a Good Candidate for ESWT?

ESWT is generally considered safe and effective for most individuals suffering from knee pain, especially those with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, tendinitis, or patellar tendinopathy. However, it is essential to undergo a thorough evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional to determine if ESWT is the appropriate treatment for a specific case. Factors such as the severity of the condition, overall health, and medical history will be considered to ensure the best possible outcome.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals suffering from knee pain, particularly those with chronic knee conditions like osteoarthritis or tendinitis. By harnessing the power of shock waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes, ESWT provides significant pain relief, reduces inflammation, and improves joint function.The benefits of ESWT, including its non-invasiveness, minimal downtime, and potential to delay surgery, make it an attractive choice for many patients seeking knee pain relief. However, consulting with a qualified healthcare professional is essential to determine if ESWT is the appropriate treatment choice for specific cases.For individuals struggling with knee pain and seeking a non-surgical solution, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy at First Choice Medical Center offers renewed hope for a more comfortable and active life. By leveraging the regenerative power of ESWT, patients can experience lasting relief and a restored sense of mobility, enabling them to embrace a healthier and pain-free future.

Schedule your free consultation today, to see if you are candidate for this revolutionary treatment. Visit our website at www.firstchoicemedical.us or call us at 360-575-8897.

Knee pain is one of the most common joint conditions in the world. It affects roughly 25% of adults, and its prevalence has significantly increased—over 65% in the last 2 decades alone.

Though people of all ages can sustain some type of knee pain in their lifetime, it’s usually older adults who are more susceptible. Why? It’s because the protective tissue in the knee that supports the joint, aka cartilage, naturally degrades with age.

Besides the elderly, other groups may also be at risk of knee pain. These include people who regularly participate in high-impact sports, those with weight issues or underlying health conditions such as arthritis, gout, and infections, as well as women—specifically those who are pregnant or have recently undergone labor.

Our knees are crucial to our overall mobility and ability to perform our daily tasks. Knee pain may grow worse over time, but early treatment can help greatly—which is why it’s so important to understand this condition and its causes.

About the Knee

The knee is one of the most stressed joints in the body. It absorbs a lot of regular shocks due to commonplace activities such as walking, jumping, and running. Because of this, it has a unique structure.

Unlike the other joints in the body, which only involve two bones moving against each other, the knee is comprised of three parts:

● The tibia (shin bone)

● The femur (thigh bone)

● The patella (kneecap)

To help regulate the tension between these parts, there is also a protective layer of cartilage that absorbs the shocks generated by our movements. Knee pain occurs when the cartilage is worn down and unable to cushion the knee.

Symptoms & Causes

Due to the structure of the knee, symptoms of knee pain can vary. The most obvious way to tell, of course, is a feeling of weakness and instability in your knee when you move it.

The other symptoms often consist of:

● Difficulty bending the knee

● Inability to extend the knee

● Redness

● Swelling

● Popping or crunching sounds

● Shifting weight to the opposite knee and foot

The causes of knee pain can also vary but generally fall under a few broad categories. Most cases of knee pain stem from injuries, mechanical problems, and medical conditions like arthritis and gout.

Here are some of the other common causes of knee pain:

Mechanical Problems

● Loose Body – Because of injuries or damages to the knee, there are instances when small fragments of bone or cartilage get loose and move freely in the joint space. When these fragments get caught in flexion or extension movements, they may cause sudden pain. Joint mobility can decline drastically, ultimately leading to further damage to the articular cartilage.

● Iliotibial band syndrome – The iliotibial band is a tough band of tissue that connects the outer part of the knee to the hip. Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when overuse of the knee causes the band to tighten, making it rub against the outer part of the femur and causing the knee to swell.

● Dislocated kneecap – Usually occurring in the outer part of the knee, one experiences dislocated kneecaps when the triangular bone that encloses the patella moves out of place.

● Hip or foot pain – Responsible for stabilizing the body and knee joints when in motion, the hip and foot play significant roles in walking and running. When these get damaged, further stress is put on the knee joint to compensate, which causes discomfort and even pain.

Injuries

● Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries – The ACL is a strong ligament that connects the thigh to the shin bone. It can be torn or sprained by participating in sports activities that involve sudden, pivoting movements, such as basketball, football, and skiing.

● Fractures – Everyone’s at risk of being involved in falls and accidents. And unfortunately, knee fractures are common outcomes of this.

● Torn meniscus – The meniscus is C-shaped cartilage that provides a cushion for the knee, absorbing shocks that occur between the femur and tibia when we walk, run, or jump. It gets torn when sudden twists occur within the knee while bearing weight.

● Knee bursitis – The bursae are small sacs of fluid that cushion the outer part of the knee joint, allowing the tendons and ligaments to move smoothly across the joint. Knee bursitis occurs when overuse, infections, or arthritis swells up these sacs.

● Patellar tendinitis – Occurs when the patellar tendon, the one responsible for connecting the shinbone to the thigh’s front muscles, experiences swelling and pain.

How We Treat Knee Pain

Here at First Choice Medical Center, our treatment for knee pain revolves around Regenerative Medicine, which makes use of the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Unlike surgery and medications that don’t promote long-term healing and even pose further health risks, regenerative medicine is science-backed and safe. In fact, it has recently made significant leaps in the field of orthopedics, sports medicine, and integrative physical medicine!

If you wish to learn more about our regenerative medicine treatments, click here.

And if you’re currently suffering from knee pain, and wish to get back to doing the things you love the most, living a healthy lifestyle without having to risk surgery and other harmful drugs, you can schedule a consultation by clicking here.

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Our mission is to restore spinal and joint function in a medically integrated clinic by using cutting-edge regenerative therapies and functional rehabilitation.

We specialize in chronic cases such as neck and back pain, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy, knee and shoulder pain.

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Our mission is to restore spinal and joint function in a medically integrated clinic by using cutting-edge regenerative therapies and functional rehabilitation.

We specialize in chronic cases such as neck and back pain, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy, knee and shoulder pain.