Knee Pain and Its Causes

The knee is the largest joint in the body. A wide variety of inflammatory, mechanical, or traumatic injury on the knees can occur anytime at any age. Currently, the leading causes of knee injuries are ligament strains and tears. Other knee problems arise as a result of the degenerative process in relation to aging.

Knee pains can occur at the bones, joints, cartilages, or ligaments. These areas are prone to injury, and there are times when the healing process may not be adequate to restore the damage. Aside from delayed healing process, they may also become weak due to genetic variation. Research suggests that some genes predispose a person to have weaker tissues and joints.

Others experience knee pain due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, and other co-existing medical conditions such as bone deformities, arthritis, and chronic strain on the tendon fibers and ligaments.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy, otherwise known as regenerative injection therapy, is a form of treatment which involves the injection of a solution to stimulate healing. It works by increasing cell growth factor levels to encourage tissue repair and healing.

How Prolotherapy Works

The injected solution in prolotherapy causes a low-grade inflammatory response at the site of the injured knee joints. This induced inflammatory mechanism tricks the immune system to initialize “tissue repair.” It happens via activation of the “fibroblasts”—the cells responsible for synthesizing the collagen and other substances that play essential roles in wound healing.

Typical Prolotherapy Treatment Course

The average number of prolotherapy sessions is around 3 – 6, with some cases necessitating more or less. Treatment sessions vary, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. If improvements are not observed after four treatment sessions, a re-assessment or re-evaluation might be performed to determine if there are interfering factors that prevent the healing process.

Some factors that may delay the regenerative process of prolotherapy include: poor sleep, noncompliance, diet changes, continued aggravating activities, unhealthy lifestyle, other illnesses, or use of medications that may hinder the healing process.

To some patients, a referral for radiological studies or complementary modalities may be recommended as necessary.

Prolotherapy: A Long-Term Solution

Clinical studies have shown that prolotherapy helps in stimulation and regeneration of cartilages.  Many medical specialists also believe that it is an exceptional treatment solution for different knee problems. Since it is a treatment approach that has been clinically proven effective, it is usually considered for management of knee pains before undergoing any invasive medical procedures such as surgeries, or long-term narcotic interventions.

Treatment result may vary from patient to patient, but with the advantages it offers, prolotherapy is something to be considered.

References:

• “Fibroblast – Wikipedia.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 07 Mar 2018. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibroblast>.
• Prolotherapy and PRP – Hemwall Center Treating the LA and SF Bay Area.  <http://www.prolotherapy.com/DrDonnaAlderman%20PROLOTHERAPY%20FOR%20KNEE%20PAIN.pdf>.
• “Prolotherapy is the Best Treatment for Knee Pain and Instability – Journal of Prolotherapy.” Welcome to the Journal of Prolotherapy – Journal of Prolotherapy.  <http://journalofprolotherapy.com/prolotherapy-is-the-best-treatment-for-knee-pain-and-instability/>.
• “What Can Prolotherapy Do for Sore Knees? – The People’s Pharmacy.” The People’s Pharmacy®.  <http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2017/07/02/what-can-prolotherapy-do-for-sore-knees/>.
• Rabago, David et al. “Dextrose Prolotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Annals of Family Medicine3 (2013): 229–237. PMC. Web. 8 Mar. 2018.
• Rabago, David et al. “Qualitative Assessment of Patients Receiving Prolotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis in a Multimethod Study.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine12 (2016): 983–989. PMC. 8 Mar. 2018. Web. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55ef8061e4b004b1f53a690e/t/59c546143e00beac66b0f8e2/1506100757497/2016+Prolotherapy+Knee+DJD+pt+reporting.pdf