This post was updated for content on October 27, 2020. Existing comments have not been removed or edited.
Osteoarthritis affects over 27 million people in the United States, making it the most frequently diagnosed form of arthritis. In cases of knee osteoarthritis, the disease not only causes knee pain and reduces joint function, but also can lead to disability, reduced productivity, artificial joint operations, and high health costs.
For patients with knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement surgery is often recommended by orthopedists. However, studies show that up to 1/3 of knee replacement surgeries are actually deemed medically inappropriate, meaning that surgery is recommended far too often. Before considering knee replacement surgery, it is important to seek a second opinion. Additionally, considering other options for treating osteoarthritis, such as bracing or non-surgical solutions, can potentially prevent long term side-effects associated with knee replacement surgery.
Using Bracing to Treat Osteoarthritis
Knee braces are a helpful treatment tool for patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). Braces help to reduce the bone-on-bone contact that lies at the root of the knee pain. The systematic wearing away of cartilage over time also creates bone spurs that grow larger when the condition is left untreated. These spurs happen for a combination of different reasons that vary depending on the specific patient. However, one major issue that causes them is poor posture that forms as a result of habit. Changes in posture require repeat reinforcement and focused exercise as part of a treatment regimen. Knee braces provide more immediate strain relief and allow the knee joint to articulate properly.
How an Unloader Knee Brace Works
There are several different types of knee braces. However, unloader (or “freestyle”) osteoarthritis braces are specifically designed to interrupt the pattern that leads to osteoarthritis-related knee pain. They unload weight from the knee joint by applying pressure to targeted points on the thighs. Because of this, they are able to hold the knee joint open while also restricting the side-to-side movement that can aggravate the arthritis. By using a knee brace in combination with other non-surgical treatments, patients are often able to delay or completely avoid knee replacement surgery.
It is important to note, knee braces are not a complete solution for the knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Selecting the appropriate knee brace for your treatment program requires the assistance of a qualified medical professional. Using a knee brace can help to alleviate pain and help your joints to recover, but there are number of other critical components that are necessary to successfully treat the source of your osteoarthritis pain.
Knee patients need regular therapy and exercise to develop muscles properly and re-train the body to adopt new postures. Additionally, since many patients have already developed advanced osteoarthritis before their first treatment session, additional treatments can also be necessary to ensure a successful treatment, such as viscosupplementation and regenerative therapy.
Non-Surgical Solutions with Flexogenix®
Flexogenix® offers a variety of non-surgical solutions that have helped over 40,000 patients with knee osteoarthritis avoid having knee replacement surgery.
The Knee-Flex 5-Step Protocol takes the very latest FDA approved non-surgical knee pain treatment, and enhances it to provide a level of results that few others can match. It is designed to provide both rapid pain relief and a substantial increase in mobility so you can get back to the active lifestyle that you deserve. After providing immediate pain relief, Knee-Flex 5-Step focuses on lubricating and protecting the knee joint through administering hyaluronic acid with the latest image-guidance technology. With the pain controlled and mobility restored, we initiate Kineti-Flex® to address the contributing factors that actually caused your knee pain, and develop a detailed conditioning prescription to correct the problems and prevent pain from returning again.
Next, we use bracing to correct the alignment of the joint and redistribute pressure off of the worn areas of the joint. The final step of the Knee-Flex 5-Step Protocol is a continuous promotion of healing with an advanced injection protocol to stop any further degradation of the knee joint and cartilage by promoting the body’s natural healing response with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). This final step is essential and introduces growth factors that create a strong foundation to restore the integrity of the joint.
Together with Kineti-Flex® and bracing, PRP completes a comprehensive treatment plan that has helped thousands avoid surgery. With a continued commitment to your Kineti-Flex® regimen, you can achieve a level of health and success that you never thought possible. Learn more about the Knee-Flex 5-Step Protocol here.
Seek the Experts
If you suffer from knee pain due to osteoarthritis, don’t wait! Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation to see if our non-surgical solutions are a good fit for you. We will provide you with a personalized plan to relieve your pain and get you back to the active lifestyle that you deserve!
