Knee

Conditions

Knee

The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the femur (thighbone) and tibia (leg bone), and one between the femur and patella (kneecap). It is the largest joint in the human body. The knee permits flexion and extension as well as a slight internal and external rotation. It is an encapsulated synovial joint comprised of bones, cartilage, menisci, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bursae. All of these structures are vulnerable to both acute injury and chronic degeneration. Until now, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation), addictive opioids, and surgery were the only options for patients who failed more conservative measures.

Regen Doctor can help relieve a variety of knee conditions without having to turn to steroid injections or surgery. Our doctors have in-office, same day procedures that utilize PRP and stem cell treatments to allow the patient’s own body to regenerate damaged tissues. This allows a range of different conditions to be treated without many of the risks and/or side effects associated with conventional treatments. This is groundbreaking technology that actually addresses the underlying condition, rather than just dealing with the symptoms. Let’s review some of the most common conditions to the knee. Please feel free to contact us if you suffer from any of these conditions and would be interested in learning how PRP or stem cell treatments can help relieve the pain and restore normal function.

Conditions We Treat

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is also known as wear and tear or degenerative arthritis. In this condition the cartilage in the knee is damaged and lost over time and the bones start grinding together. This leads to reactive bony overgrowth and significant pain and reduced mobility. The pain tends to be worse with activity, but is often present even at rest. It is a very common condition particularly in those over the age of 45 and those who are overweight. Trauma to the knee can accelerate arthritis and lead to premature development of arthritis in younger people. Traditionally, steroid or hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) injections could sometimes produce temporary relief, but many patients eventually required total knee replacement which involves considerable post-op pain and prolonged recovery time. However, by using PRP and/or stem cell treatments, these procedures and their problems can often be completely avoided. With regenerative medicine, the body’s cells are used to regenerate joint tissues and alleviate pain and dysfunction. Additionally, the treatment can be provided on an outpatient basis, which means you will not even need to stay in a hospital for any length of time.

Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome, aka Runner’s or Jumper’s knee, is the most common disorder of the knee. It is frequently diagnosed in athletes of all types but can be found with increased frequency in older and heavier patients as well. The knee is a unique joint in that it has the patella (kneecap) over its anterior (extensor) surface. The underside of the patella is covered in cartilage which slides over the distal femur inside the knee joint like a pulley when the quadriceps muscle extends the knee. Indeed, the patella is embedded in the quadriceps tendon which inserts onto the proximal tibial tuberosity. There is in fact no definite separation between the quadriceps tendon and the area connecting the patella to the tibia known as the patellar ligament or tendon. Patients can develop arthritis on the underside of the patella and tendonitis in the patellar tendon which can be quite painful and limiting in terms of mobility. Non-regenerative techniques used in the past have often failed to provide adequate sustained relief and many patients felt surgery was their only option. Through PRP and stem cell treatment, however, the body can be set to work in repairing itself, thereby providing lasting relief.

There are many muscles and tendons surrounding and exerting their forces on the knee joint and they can all develop problems. The quadriceps, hamstring, and patellar tendons, as well as the iliotibial band (tendon) can all develop tendonitis and tears which can be very painful and lifestyle limiting injuries. These injuries are generally graded on a scale of 1 to 3 depending on the severity, with 3 meaning the patient has lost almost all mobility due to complete tendon tear. Injuries to these tendons are particularly common in athletes, although they can also occur in those who have very poor muscle strength. The pain is often very sudden and follows a popping sound in the area. The area then becomes swollen, tender and bruised. This injury is often resistant to conventional treatments and recurrent in nature, but the Regenerative Medicine Specialists in Camarillo, California could help your body repair itself through PRP and stem cell treatments.

Meniscus Pain Explained

The knee joint space is partially divided by two crescent-shaped disks, the medial and lateral menisci. These two disks consist of connective tissue with extensive collagen fibers containing cartilage-like cells. The menisci are flattened at the center of the knee joint, fused with the joint capsule laterally, and can move over the tibial surface. The menisci serve to protect the ends of the bones from rubbing on each other and to effectively deepen the tibial sockets into which the femur attaches. They also play a role in shock absorption, and may be cracked, or torn, when the knee is forcefully rotated and/or bent. This can cause pain, “catching”, limited range of motion, and swelling. If you have a meciscus tear, surgery may be indicated to remove a portion of the torn meniscus or to try to repair it. Unfortunately, even after surgery, many patients continue to experience life limiting symptoms and accelerated arthritis of the joint. However, by using PRP and/or stem cell treatments, the body’s cells are used to regenerate joint tissues and alleviate pain and dysfunction. Additionally, the treatment can be provided on an outpatient basis, which means you will not even need to stay in a hospital for any length of time.

The knee joint is held together and in proper alignment by a number of strong ligaments which can become injured. The medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are some of the more commonly sprained or torn ligaments of the knee. These common sports injuries can cause severe pain and instability as well as inability to bear weight on the affected limb. Participation in sports can become impossible. If conservative measures fail, patients may think that surgery is the only option left. However, by using PRP and/or stem cell treatments, these procedures and their problems can often be completely avoided. With regenerative medicine, the body’s cells are used to regenerate joint tissues and alleviate pain and dysfunction. Additionally, the treatment provided  in our office and recovery time is usually much less than after surgery.

Numerous bursae surround the knee joint interiorly, medially, and laterally. These fluid filled sacs normally provide a cushion between the bones and overlying tendons. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and tendons and allows free movement. Bursitis is often associated with and indistinguishable from tendonitis and can be caused by injury or excessive movement. Sometimes there is no discernible cause. It is a painful condition that causes people to limp and hurt even at rest. Until now, conventional treatments sometimes provided only temporary relief.  Through PRP and stem cell treatment, however, the body can be set to work in repairing itself, thereby providing lasting relief.

As you can see, there is not always a need to revert to painful surgery or steroid injections. The doctors at Regenerative Medicine Specialists are there to help you find relief from your knee or thigh conditions in a supportive and safe environment. By using your body’s own cells, almost any condition can be improved, and all that on an outpatient basis. Stem cells get to work on regenerating tissue, using your own cells to achieve this. Contact us now to see if you are a candidate for one of these revolutionary therapies.

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