Knee Decompression
Knee decompression therapy uses mechanical traction to separate the two bones of the knee. Its goal is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and stimulate tissue healing. There is currently no medical literature proving long-term benefits from knee decompression and this treatment is not offered at Resurgens Orthopaedics.
What You Need To Know About Knee Decompression
What is Knee Decompression?
Knee decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment that aims to decrease pain, increase range of motion, reduce inflammation, and speed up tissue healing. It uses a mechanical traction machine to separate the tibia (shin bone) and the femur (thigh bone) and stretch the soft tissues in the knee. While it may provide some short term relief during the procedure, there is currently no medical study proving long-term benefits from knee decompression. The relief from knee decompression is temporary.
There are many other treatments that are more effective and provide long-term relief that are supported by numerous studies. If you're struggling with knee pain, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with the knee physicians at Resurgens.
Why is Knee Decompression Performed?
Knee decompression therapy aims to reduce pain, increase general mobility, and rehydrate the knee joint for faster healing. This treatment is usually performed on people with the following conditions:
General knee pain
Arthritis
Sprains
Strained muscles
Does Knee Decompression Therapy Work?
Knee decompression may provide some temporary pain relief however, knee decompression therapy does not address the underlying cause of knee pain. Despite separating the bone, the inflammation and arthritis in the joint continues to persist. There are no studies or peer reviewed data to support the long-term efficacy of this treatment. Additionally, the high expense of knee decompression therapy outweighs temporary pain relief.
Identifying, diagnosing, and properly treating knee pain is crucial to get you moving again. While Resurgens does not offer knee decompression therapy, our expert knee physicians have many non-invasive treatment options to help you recover.
What Other Procedures Are Available For Knee Pain?
Knee arthritis is one of the most common ailments caused by aging. In patients over the age of 60, about 13% of women and 10% of men have symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. During a one-year period, 25% of people over 55 demonstrate at least one persistent episode of knee pain.
Since knee arthritis is so common, there are a plethora of treatment options available in your local community and on the internet that promise non-invasive relief. The knee physicians at Resurgens Orthopaedics know what treatments have proven efficacy and what to stray away from. We can address the root cause of your knee pain and help you get moving again.
Some effective alternatives to knee decompression therapy include:
Physical therapy is a proven and effective method for gaining mobility and function in the knee. Strengthening the muscles around the knee can help to offload the joint and improve the range of motion.
Anti-inflammatories like NSAIDs can help manage day-to-day pain. Anti-inflammatories like NSAIDs can help manage day-to-day pain and decrease the underlying inflammation that causes your knee symptoms. Consult your physician prior to taking these medications as they do have side effects and may not be right for each patient.
Dietary supplements like turmeric, ginger, glucosamine, chondroitin, and vitamin D may help mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. While evidence to support the efficacy of these supplements is debated, some may find them helpful as they can also modulate the inflammatory environment in your knee.
There are many injections that exist for providing relief from knee arthritis. These range from corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma injections. These have variable efficacy, but there has been evidence to show short to midterm relief with these treatments. Talking to your medical professional about what is right for you will help to provide a personalized plan for your particular arthritis.
Therapies that are not as effective include:
Chiropractic treatment is also commonly advertised as being a cure for arthritis. This treatment may provide short-term temporary relief, but once the "manipulation" has reverted, the joint goes back to equilibrium without any lasting changes to the underlying pathology. Be wary of these treatments as they are expensive and have no rigorous studies to prove their efficacy.
Laser therapy, message, percutaneous nerve stimulation, and acupuncture also do not have rigorous testing that proves their benefit. These treatments are usually not covered by insurance and are out-of-pocket expenses. Be wary of these options, as most insurance companies cover treatments that have been proven to be effective by scientific studies and clinical trials.
Other injection options such as stem cells, amniotic cells, and other newer injections are in their infancy with no definitive evidence to show their long-term effects. They are also incredibly expensive and not covered by insurance with no guarantee of success.
The best way to get long-term relief from knee pain is to get diagnosed and treated by a Resurgens knee doctor. Book an appointment with our knee physicians now!