Knee pain can dominate your life, turning simple activities into challenging tasks. Whether this discomfort stems from a recent knee replacement or an injury, it can disrupt everything from your morning walk to your nightly rest. At Orchidia Medical Group in Naples, FL, we focus on alleviating this pain and restoring your mobility.
Our shockwave therapy offers relief and is exclusively administered by skilled physicians dedicated to improving your health. With shockwave therapy, we help our patients to move freely again by reducing knee pain and healing the underlying problem.
The Anatomy of Your Knee
The knee is a complex joint where three crucial bones meet: the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). This joint is fortified by ligaments and cartilage, including the meniscus, which acts as a shock absorber and reduces the impact between bones. Surrounding muscles and tendons also play essential roles, enabling movement such as bending and straightening, while ensuring stability and support for various activities.
Common Knee Pain Causes
- Mechanical Issues: Knee pain often stems from mechanical problems within the joint itself, such as a misaligned patella or issues with the knee structure. These conditions can disrupt normal movement patterns, leading to discomfort and decreased mobility.
- Injuries: Inner knee pain is commonly linked to injuries such as ligament tears, including the ACL and MCL, or damage to the meniscus. Such injuries can result from sudden movements, impacts, or accidents during physical activities.
- Arthritis: Several types of arthritis can cause knee pain. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, involves the wear and tear of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, attacks the lining of the joints, while post-traumatic arthritis develops after an injury to the knee.
- Overuse and Repetitive Motion Injuries: Frequent and repetitive activities can lead to overuse injuries, which are sources of knee discomfort. This category includes issues like tendinitis or bursitis, which arise from the chronic stress of repetitive motions and impact sports.
Symptoms to Recognize
If you experience knee pain, it’s important to note other accompanying signs such as swelling, stiffness, redness, or a feeling of warmth around the joint. You might also hear popping or crunching noises or find it difficult to fully straighten the knee. These symptoms could indicate underlying issues that require medical attention.
The Limitations of Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
While over-the-counter medications may provide temporary relief, they often fail to address the root cause of knee pain. They can also lead to unwanted side effects when used frequently. For chronic or severe knee issues, these medications might not offer sufficient relief, and patients can benefit from a more targeted therapeutic approach.
What Is Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain?
Shockwave therapy uses non-invasive shockwaves to facilitate the healing of damaged knee tissue. This treatment boosts blood circulation in the knee region and speeds up the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. It is frequently used for chronic knee pain that has proven resistant to other treatment approaches.
How Shockwave Therapy Works for Knee Pain
Formation of New Blood Vessels
Shockwave therapy enhances the formation of new blood vessels in the treated area, a process known as neovascularization. This increase in blood flow brings essential nutrients and oxygen that are crucial for healing damaged knee tissue. As a result, patients often experience improved function and decreased pain in the affected knee.
Release of Growth Factors
During knee pain treatment with shockwave therapy, the energy pulses prompt the release of growth factors. These growth factors help with tissue repair and cell growth, speeding up the recovery process and helping alleviate pain more quickly than with traditional methods.
Modulation of Nerve Activity
Shockwave therapy helps modulate nerve activity in the knee area, which can reduce pain sensations. By interfering with the transmission of pain signals to the brain, this therapy provides a non-pharmaceutical method to manage chronic pain.
Stimulation of Collagen Production
The acoustic wave therapy machine promotes collagen production, the primary building block of tendon and ligament tissue. Increased collagen production helps to strengthen these structures, enhance joint stability, and reduce the likelihood of future injuries.
Reversal of Chronic Inflammation
Using a shockwave therapy machine can reverse the effects of chronic inflammation by restoring normal cell activity. This can halt the progression of damage within the knee joint and allow for natural healing processes to resume more effectively.
Breakdown of Calcified Fibroblasts
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective at breaking down calcified fibroblasts, which are often a significant factor in chronic pain conditions. This breakdown can restore a greater range of motion and reduce pain, which can aid in the recovery from long-standing knee issues.
What to Expect From Your Shockwave Therapy
What to Do Before Your Appointment
Before your session with the acoustic wave therapy machine, follow a few simple steps to get the best possible outcome. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications for at least 48 hours before your treatment, as these can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy. Also, make sure to stay hydrated and eat a light meal to keep your body well-prepared for the healing process.
What to Wear
When preparing for a knee pain treatment session, choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the knee area. Fabrics that stretch, such as leggings or shorts can help your physician to easily position the therapy device and direct the shockwaves at the affected tissue.
What Shockwave Therapy Feels Like
During a session of shockwave therapy using a shockwave therapy machine, you will feel pulses of energy that may be slightly uncomfortable but should not be painful. These pulses are quick and focused. The entire session typically lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the area being treated and the severity of the condition.
Post-Treatment Care and Tips
After undergoing acoustic wave therapy, allow your body time to respond to the treatment. You may experience temporary soreness, which is a normal response. To aid recovery, avoid strenuous activity for a couple of days and hydrate well.
How Quickly Will You See Results From Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain?
Results from shockwave therapy for knee pain can vary depending on the individual’s condition and the severity of the pain. You may notice an improvement in your knee pain within a few days following the first treatment, or it may take several sessions. A course of three to five may be recommended, with gradual and cumulative improvements as your treatment progresses.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing Your Knee Pain With Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy at Orchidia Medical Group in Naples, FL, offers an effective solution for those struggling with knee pain. By addressing the underlying causes of discomfort, this treatment can help you return to the activities you love much faster. If you’re ready to learn more, you can contact us through our online form or call us at (239) 333-8809 to schedule an appointment.
