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Knee Pain

Knee Pain Treatment: A Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas Chiropractor’s Perspective

Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that people face. It is the second most common cause of chronic pain (pain lasting longer than 3 months), and it is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans will experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Women are more likely than men to experience knee pain, and other risk factors such as age, weight, overexertion, and tobacco use can all contribute to the growing population of people who experience this potentially debilitating condition. In fact, for every pound you are overweight, it adds an extra 4 pounds of stress to the knee joints. This incredible amount of stress on these joints is a key indicator of whether someone will experience knee pain at some point in time.
The knee is a joint where the femur bone in the thigh meets the tibia bone in the leg. It is a hinge joint, meaning most of its movement occurs back and forth in the same plane of motion. This is largely due to the muscles and ligaments that provide a lot of stability to this joint. Within the knee joint are 2 strong ligaments that cross over one another. These are known as the cruciate ligaments, of which the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly heard in relation to sports injuries. There are also ligaments along the sides of the knee called the collateral ligaments, which keep the knee from rotating too much. The menisci (singular: meniscus) are pads of cartilage that line the knee joint and provide extra protection from the forces of both weight and gravity. Finally, there are many muscles such as the quadricep muscles that surround, support, and move the knee joint through its range of motions. These soft tissues all have a vital role to play, but are also susceptible to their own unique injuries.
In 2017 alone, there were 966,000 knee replacement surgeries done. Replacement surgery is performed when the knee joint has eroded to the point where there is “bone on bone” and is absent of any joint spacing. However, there are other treatments available that are more natural, less risky, and just as effective in reducing knee pain and improving knee function. For example, chiropractic adjustments to the knee can help correct misalignment that can wear down the joint more rapidly. Proper alignment and improved motion can help decrease pain in the knee joint. Other treatments such as stretching can improve posture, Prolotherapy and knee traction (decompression) can get to the heart of the issue and have a lasting effect on the function of your knee. Because ultimately, it is about finding the root cause of your knee pain and working to correct it. That is where the best results exist.

How We Treat Knee Pain in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At Venturis Clinic your first visit for knee pain will start with a detailed consultation. Dr. Alvin Philipose is here to listen to your story and how your knee pain got to this point including any contributing injuries, traumas, or lifestyle factors. He will want to document this information so they can more fully understand you as a patient and a person and also get a sense of the effect that knee pain has had on your life. Perhaps knee pain is keeping you from exercising the way you want to, or it keeps you from playing ball with your grandkids. All this information is crucial in helping the doctors find the cause of your condition.
After the consultation, a detailed knee exam will be performed. The chiropractors will take you through various orthopedic, neurologic, and functional movement testing to assess the function (or dysfunction) of your affected knee. These tests help them identify the problem and allow them to give you their best recommendations for care. As chiropractors, they will also check your spine and nervous system for any nerve interference that may be affecting the nerves that control the muscles around your knee. If further exams such as x-rays are needed, you will have these images taken in office. This wholesome approach gives our doctors great insight into how they can best help you.

Specific Chiropractic Care

The primary method by Dr. Alvin Philipose treat knee pain at Venturis Clinic is through chiropractic care. The reality is our joints heal by moving and need to be moving properly to heal properly. If there is misalignment or restriction in the knee joint, this information is sent to the brain via nerves, and the brain recognizes this as a problem. Dr. Alvin Philipose can gently manipulate the knee joint to allow improved range of motion and decreased pain.
It is also possible that the knee is not functioning properly because the muscles that support and move the knee aren’t working properly. The nerves that control these muscles originate in the lumbar spine, and if there is subluxation present that is affecting how the nerves are working, then this too needs to be addressed. Arthritis, whether found in the knee or any other joint, can be slowed down with joint movement. Chiropractic can play a big role in helping to slow down or halt the progression of a condition such as arthritis.

Custom Stretching Plan

Corrective stretching is a huge part of everything we do at Venturis clinic, and this is no different when it comes to treating knee pain. With knee conditions, especially chronic ones such as arthritis, it is a race against the clock to preserve range of motion and optimal function of this vital joint. The less active you are, the more like it is that degeneration will set in and joint space will be lost. Many patients that we see are already experiencing this. However, there is important work to be done to maximize the potential of the knee in these circumstances.
The purpose of our corrective stretching is very simple for knee pain. We need to address any muscle imbalances in the knee that may be contributing to the condition. We also need to properly strengthen the muscles around the knee so they can stabilize the joint and prevent future injury. Outside the knee joint, it is imperative that postural stretching are performed to alter the weight distribution to the knees in a favorable way. Dr. Alvin Philipose will customize a care plan for your specific needs and work closely with you to ensure that your goals are being met. Stretching is a critical component of this process, and it can really make the difference for somebody experiencing knee pain.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)

Perhaps the most common cause of knee pain, especially chronic knee pain, is degenerative arthritis. This condition is classically caused by wear and tear over years and even decades of use. It can also be accelerated by being overweight or obese due to the increased weight stress applied to the knee joints. It typically shows up on one side first, but it can affect both knees over time. From a medical standpoint, it is typically treated with NSAID medications, knee injections, and eventually knee replacement surgery. However, there are more natural options available to treat this common condition.
At Venturis Clinic, we address knee pain by getting to the root cause of the issue. If there is an alignment or soft tissue problem, chiropractic and soft tissue therapies are applied. Corrective exercise is always a good way to preserve and improve range of motion in an already-diminishing joint. Overall, there are many effective, conservative treatments for degenerative arthritis that are worth trying before moving on to more invasive treatment methods.

ACL Injury

Within the knee joint two ligaments connect the thigh bone to the leg bone: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Of these 2, the ACL is far more likely to be injured. ACL injuries can happen in everyday life, but they most notably occur in the context of sports due to the mechanism of injury. In sports that require rapid change of direction such as soccer, basketball, or football, the ACL can be damaged when the knee gets rotated while the foot is planted. This torquing motion causes fibers in the ACL to tear, and in the worst cases, completely rupture.
ACL treatment depends largely on the extent of the damage. If the ligament is damaged but still intact, it can be rehabilitated through therapies such as rehabilitation exercises, deep tissue laser, vibration therapy, as well as many others. If a complete rupture has occurred, however, it will often require surgical reconstruction of the ligament. This is a severe injury that requires months of steady rehab post-operatively. If you injure your knee playing sports, it is best to have it checked by a healthcare professional who can point you in the right direction.

Torn Meniscus

Another common sports injury that occurs with forceful twisting of the knee joint is a torn meniscus. The meniscus is the thin layer of fibrocartilage that lines the bony surfaces of the knee joint. When you plant the foot, the bones of the knee joint come extremely close together. When rotation of the knee occurs, whether intentional or not, the bones push into the meniscus, causing anything up to a complete tear in the cartilage. This can be very painful and cause lots of swelling and inflammation to develop in and around the knee.
Surgery is a common route for treating a torn meniscus, but it is not always successful. More conservative methods have been shown to be just as effective in rehabilitating even completely torn menisci. Therapies such as deep tissue laser and therapeutic exercises can be extremely effective for healing torn menisci, but it can take time and requires patience to make a complete recovery.

Runner’s Knee

Some knee injuries are the result of overuse or repetitive motion, and a particularly common one is known as Runner’s knee. This condition causes pain in the front of the knee, and also either around or behind the knee cap. It develops over time as a result of repetitive activity such as jogging or running. It can cause “creaking” and “cracking” noises to occur in addition to chronic knee stiffness. The amount of force and stress placed on the knee joint during this activity causes the surrounding tissue to become inflamed. However, there is usually no damage to any bones, ligaments, or muscle tendons.
Sometimes, runner’s knee will require some time off of running to let the tissue heal and the inflammation subside. It can also be managed effectively with treatment such as deep tissue laser, which uses light energy to penetrate deep into the tissue and accelerate the healing process by decreasing inflammation. Runners are some of the most dedicated athletes on the planet, and the better they can manage conditions like runner’s knee, the more they can stay out there doing what they love.

Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band, more commonly known as the IT band, is the longest muscle tendon in the human body. It is the tendon of a hip muscle called the tensor fascia lata, and it spans down the side of the thigh down to its attachment site past the knee joint. Irritation of the IT band can be felt anywhere along the tendon, but it is especially common to feel discomfort on the outside of the knee. This condition tends to affect athletes such as distance runners and cyclists due to the repetitive movements they perform.
At Venturis Clinic, Dr. Alvin Philipose can utilize the Graston technique to break up any adhesions that have developed in the IT band and to help facilitate the healing process. They will also provide exercises to help provide more muscle balance to the quadriceps which can help further stabilize the knee joint. IT band syndrome can be painful, but recovery is usually very straightforward and does not take very long to heal.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prolotherapy good for?

Many conditions respond well to prolotherapy, such as facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis), whiplash, joint sprains, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, sprains, chronic tendonitis, Ehler’s-Danlos Disease, Bulging disc, knee pain, shoulder pain Vagus nerve inflammation and more.

What are the risks of prolotherapy?

Theoretical risks of prolotherapy injections include soreness, infection or neurological (nerve) damage. Injections should be performed by trained physicians using universal precautions diagnostics examinations and tproper examinations. This results in very minimal side effects.

What is the average cost of prolotherapy?

Costs vary quite a bit from $150-$1500 dependent on type and contents of injections.

Is prolotherapy a permanent fix?

Prolotherapy is an all-natural, permanent treatment, as it relies on the body repairing itself to reduce pain. In contrast, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications only provide temporary relief. Booster shots as well has wellness therapies including stretching, massage, chiropractic, dry-needling and strengthening will help maintain progress.

Who is a good candidate for prolotherapy?

More specifically, prolotherapy may be right for you if you experience any of the following: Damaged or lost tissue, especially surrounding the joints. If patients have tried various traditional treatments including prescription drugs, physical therapy, or steroids but seen minimal to no results, prolotherapy may be right for you.

Why does prolotherapy hurt so much?

A patient is generally sore for a couple of days after Prolotherapy. This is because the injections have to go through some muscles to get to the ligaments and tendons. To help the muscle soreness resolve itself sooner, dry needling and moist heat applied to the area is recommended.

Is prolotherapy better than cortisone?

Cortisone can cause tendon rupture, particularly of the achilles tendon. Prolotherapy is a proven orthopedic treatment to reduce pain and strengthen weakened joints without the negative side effects of cortisone.

What are the pros and cons of prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is great for strengthening weak joints and creating heightened muscle functionality, such as increased movement and flexibility. However, there are some risks involved, for example it is a shot like any other so there could be pain or tenderness to the injection site.

What should you not do after prolotherapy?

Due to the numbness we ask that you refrain from any strenuous activities but to stay mobile. Continue to move affected area to decrease soreness and stiffness. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days following injections. You will experience some pain and soreness 2-5 days after your treatment. Do not take any anti-inflammatories, pain medications or steroids during treatments. This may inhibit your body’s ability to heal the affected tissue.

How long does prolotherapy take to heal?

Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy session occurs in the first two weeks.

How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?

Prolotherapy treatments vary from person to person and from injury to injury. Many patients have experienced some relief of their pain with only one session. The average person requires anywhere from 3-12 treatment sessions spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other.

How long does a prolotherapy injection last?

On average, patients experience one year of improvement and relief from prolotherapy. However, there is a huge variation and sometimes improvement lasts from three months to 15 years.

What is injected during prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy involves injections of a mild irritant into the injured part of your body. Most of the time the injection contains saline, dextrose (a type of sugar), and lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Dr. Philipose custom tailors the injection, so the exact composition depends on your needs. These injections may include natural collagen, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances to accelerate healing compared to traditional prolotherapy.

Is prolotherapy better than surgery?

Prolotherapy is considered a viable alternative to surgery, and as an option to pain medications, cortisone and other steroidal injections. The Prolotherapy procedure is considered a safe, affordable option that allows the patient to keep working and/or training during treatment.

Can prolotherapy reverse arthritis?

One study with 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis involved some participants getting monthly prolotherapy injections of dextrose for 3 to 5 months. Those who received prolotherapy saw a significant improvement in pain, function, and stiffness scores.

Does prolotherapy regrow cartilage?

Prolotherapy is an injection of a non-biologic substance with localized effects for repairing connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Recent studies in humans show that prolotherapy stimulates cartilage regeneration.

Are you sedated for prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a safe, cost effective injection technique used for treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain in various parts of the body. It is noninvasive, has limited side effects and does not require sedation.

What does dry needling actually do?

Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.

What is dry needling and does it hurt?

We use very thin filament needles. The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal; much less than a vaccination or having blood drawn. Once the needle reaches the muscle, the twitch sensation feels more like a deep cramp and doesn't last long (15-30 seconds).

How long does dry needling results last?

After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.

How many sessions of dry needling do you need?

If treatment zones are found and the correct muscle groups are targeted, sub-acute conditions will improve after three – four consecutive sessions, with chronic injuries requiring five – six consecutive needling sessions.

Does dry needling remove knots?

Dry needle therapy resolves muscle knots by inserting a very thin needle directly into the trigger point. The knot responds to the interruption and relaxes immediately. Most patients agree that dry needling doesn't hurt in the way that you might think!

How deep do dry needles go?

Superficial dry needling involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.

Does dry needling reduce inflammation?

The micro tears caused by the needle prompts the body's natural defenses to get to work, bringing nutrient-rich blood to the site and boosting tissue repair. Dry needling also helps to dissipate inflammatory mediators, those substances that gather in an area of inflammation.

Is dry needling good for arthritis?

Dry needling is an effective treatment in reducing pain from osteoarthritis because it increases blood circulation around the joint, thereby providing natural relief.

What exactly does a chiropractor do?

A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations and other therapies to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. They are taught philosophically to find and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Is it healthy to go to the chiropractor?

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from acute or chronic conditions such as strains, arthritis or disc injuries.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

• Improves neck pain.
• Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers. 
• Eases back pain.
• Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms. 
• Eases headache symptoms. 
• More affordable treatment for chronic back pain. 
• High satisfaction. 
• Reduces scoliosis symptoms.

What are the cons of seeing a chiropractor?

Spinal and joint manipulation has a chance to go wrong and may cause unwanted injuries. So it is important that you only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor that performs the necessary examinations and diagnostics to ensure safe treatments. DO NOT ALLOW a physical therapist or any other untrained person try a manipulation especially without X-rays.

When should you go to a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are most sought after to treat neck and low back pain due to acute or chronic pain. If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment.

What cracks when you see a chiropractor?

During a back adjustment, your back undergoes quick, gentle stretching of the spinal facet joint, so you may hear a cracking or popping noise. This is caused by small pockets of air or bubbles, which are in the fluid that surrounds your joints.

Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?

Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again

Is chiropractic care is ineffective?

Critics are skeptical mainly due to the fact that chiropractic care does not involve medications or any invasive surgeries. Some have associated this practice with some side effects and fatal complications in some cases resulting in death or stroke. It also goes against the medical philosophy of not prescribing medications. In recent years there has been a comparison that shows not only Chiropractic to be safe, but healthier and more successful than taking steroids and medications. There are also various techniques now that prevent any type of injuries due the gentleness of the adjustment.

Why do some chiropractors crack and others don't?

The noises you hear during chiropractic treatment depend on the technique used. For example, some techniques cause a cracking sound, and others don't, but both can be highly effective, depending on your needs. So, whether you hear an abundance of pops or none at all, you don't need to worry.
If you have tried multiple types of doctors and treatments but still hurting, you may not have found the cause. We can help!
Find Us
7917 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, 
OK 73120, USA
(405) 848-7246
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