Often a patient will come in with a history of one or more knee surgeries and the hope of avoiding another by using Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, or Stem Cell Therapy, depending on the level of knee deterioration they are suffering from.
But what is causing the continued knee pain, and why do they think these therapies may be the best option?
Doctors and researchers have noted that a main cause for the “need” for secondary knee surgery was knee ligaments injured or weakened by the primary surgery itself. Here is what one group of researchers found:
In following One hundred and thirty five patients who had a “revision” or secondary surgery, doctors found that in nearly one-third of the cases (32.6%) knee ligament instability was the primary reason for the follow up surgery. In another one out of 5 patients, ligament instability was identified as the secondary reason for revision. So in more than 50% of patients needing a secondary surgery, ligament instability was the primary or secondary cause. (1)
After a physical examination, we find another leading cause of revision knee surgery is that only one part of the damaged or degenerated knee was addressed. Often ligament weakness will appear with meniscus damage, yet only the meniscus damage will be treated.
We have utilized prolotherapy for decades, and more recently Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy and stem cell therapy. While we have these technologies available to help the body help itself heal to prevent surgery, eliminate pain, and restore joint function, it is up to the skill and knowledge of the physician to best utilize these treatments to achieve optimal results.
We have published many articles on knee surgery alternatives for ligament laxity, osteoarthritis, cartilage repair, and other injuries at knee surgery alternatives
Questions? Contact us at magazinercenter@gmail.com
References
1. Graichen H, Strauch M, Katzhammer T, Zichner L, von Eisenhart-Rothe R. [Ligament instability in total knee arthroplasty - causal analysis.] Orthopade. 2007 Jun 21;
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