Monterey Joint - Christopher Meckel, Ryan Ranch nonsurgical treatment for knee problems

Physical & Occupational Therapy | Home Remedies | Vitamins & Supplements | Alternative Medicine

The good news for those with knee injuries is that 80 percent of knee problems are better treated without surgery. The best way to keep a knee problem at bay or to prevent one in the first place is by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising with regularity. Those who live an active, healthy lifestyle are much less prone to knee problems.

For those who do suffer from knee problems and lead a fairly athletic lifestyle, just remember pro-tennis player Stefan Edberg, who is considered by many to be one of the best serve and volley artists of tennis. Edberg had patellar tendentious throughout his career and was still able to sprint up to the net and and lunge for volleys. Remember that with proper care, knee problems can be controlled nonsurgically most of the time.

Physical and occupational therapy
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two complementary types of physical medicine and rehabilitation that allow patients to recover. Physical therapy helps a patient to regain strength and balance after an injury. Once a person has recovered, they may want an occupational therapist to teach them how to function normally amidst their disability. Simple tasks like going to the store or making dinner can be done, but the way to go about doing those tasks may need to be modified. An occupational therapist can help with that.
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Treatments you can administer at home
Anti-Inflammatories
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin and Motrin IB) help reduce swelling and inflammation and can be quite helpful to a torn ligament. The ibuprofen also helps mask the pain of a knee injury. Use NSAIDs cautiously, however, as taking them regularly over a long period of time can cause ulcers or other gastro-intestinal problems.

Just remember that while using NSAIDs, you should also be taking other precautions to heal your pain. COX-2 inhibitors can help lessen the stiffness brought on by arthritis pain. Vioxx can help manage both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain. While they are able to help with the pain, they also might make it difficult for the body to heal ulcers, so be sure to consult with your doctor to make sure this is the right treatment for you.

Another anti-inflammatory that can be useful is enzymes. The FDA has labeled them "GRAS" (or generally regarded as safe), which means they can be used to treat knee pain with little to no side effects.

RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
This is an easy-to-remember four-step formula for treating a knee injury that's incurred from activity.

Rest: keep the knee away from any stressful activity, preferably immobile initially.
Ice: apply ice to the knee to control swelling and inflammation. Wrap ice in a towel so that it doesn't agitate the skin.
Compression will help prevent hemorrhaging or internal bleeding.
Elevate the leg above the heart to reduce internal bleeding.

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Vitamins & Supplements
Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate
Jane E. Brody, "Personal Health" columnist for The New York Times, says that European researchers have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin taken orally find their way to articular cartilage, and biopsies of some treated patients have shown structural improvements in damaged cartilage. Those who suffer from arthritis pain can find this particularly encouraging. These compounds are already found in the human body, and they protect cartilage like a cushion at the ends of the bones. They can structurally improve damaged cartilage.

Glucosamine is able to repair joints by providing the elements the joints need to repair the damage caused by injury or arthritis. The joint cartilage absorbs glucosamine, and it helps to form cartilage by capping the ends of bones. Glucosamine also keeps the mechanisms that build and deteriorate cartilage balanced, thereby preventing unnecessary or untimely tissue loss.

Chondroitin keeps the enzymes in the knee from eating away at cartilage and helps other enzymes in moving the flow of nutrients to the cartilage in the knee. In test tube studies, chondroitin has been proven to stop certain enzymes from breaking down cartilage further.

MSM
Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) is a sulfide that the body naturally produces. Those suffering from knee pain may find that it helps lessen their pain. MSM is, for the most part, safe. It increases the flow of harmful substances out of the cells and prevents pressure buildup in the cells, which causes inflammation in the joints. MSM is most widely used as an anti-inflammatory for joint and knee pain associated with arthritis.

Although the body produces MSM, additional MSM is found in other foods such as milk, meat, vegetables, fruit and seafood. However, due to the abundance of processed foods, it can be hard to get the recommended dosage. Steamed foods, washing foods and aging can also reduce MSM levels.

Shark cartilage
Shark cartilage has been shown to lessen the pain and stiffness in knees. This is because it contains mucopolysaccharides, powerful anti-inflammatory molecules. Shark cartilage is available in capsule form that can be taken as a dietary supplement. While it may not completely eliminate the pain, it might help.

Shark cartilage is a nontoxic, natural supplement that contains calcium, phosphorous and complex carbohydrates. The calcium and phosphorous is easily absorbed into the body, and the complex carbohydrates have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Using shark cartilage, Dr. Joseph Orcasity, a consultant at the University of Miami Medical School, treated a dozen elderly arthritis patients with severe knee pain. He reported that after taking shark cartilage for four weeks, most patients exhibited reduced pain and swelling and increased mobility.

Gelatin
In a recent study, gelatin capsules have been shown to help reduce pain and stiffness in athletes at Ball State University. The concentration of gelatin must be much greater than what is found in a bowl full of Jell-O, but it is essentially the same thing. This supplement is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as GRAS (or generally regarded as safe).

Minerals
Not only can minerals such as boron, copper, manganese, silicon and zinc help treat osteoarthritis, they can also be beneficial to your overall health. Although many of the foods we eat contain these minerals, they can also be taken as a supplement. Some of these minerals act as anti-inflammatories, while others act as antioxidants.

Vitamins
Vitamins can be helpful in alleviating pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that attacks tissues in the body. The tissue degeneration causes pain in the joints. Vitamins can help the immune system eliminate these toxins in the body, preventing cartilage from breaking down so rapidly.

Herbs
Taking herbs is sometimes considered archaic or analogous. However, herbs actually are good for your health. Certain herbs such as licorice, ginseng, cat's claw and echinacea can help the immune system by reducing inflammation as they bolster cell membranes. Other herbs that can help alleviate pains associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis are Chinese skullcap, devil's claw, curcumin, yucca, ginger and witch hazel.
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Alternative Medicine
In some cases, the treatments listed here do not change the structure of the knee, but they can be a great way to manage pain — with virtually no side effects, if done correctly. Some of these treatments may be more effective on some people than others. If you would like to seek alternative treatment, try to find something that works best for you.

Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese form of therapy where pressure is applied to the body in order to increase blood circulation and relieve pain. This unique form of massage can relax muscles and compress nerve fibers that cause pain. If you are interested in experimenting with this form of therapy, you can either find a professional acupressure therapist, or simply go to the bookstore and find a book that will show you how to try the techniques at home by yourself or with a partner.

Acupuncture
Those suffering from knee pain may find relief from visiting an acupuncture specialist. During acupuncture, hair-thin needles are inserted into various parts of the body and are stimulated to alleviate pain in many forms including, but not limited to, nausea, dental pain, muscle pain, menstrual cramps and pain from osteoarthritis. This 3,000-year-old Chinese art gained credibility in the Western world in 1997 when the National Institutes of Health declared it efficacious.

The Chinese believed that by balancing the positive and negative energy in the body, pain relief can be achieved. They found acupuncture to be an effective resource to achieve that balance. Other modern-day doctors believe that acupuncture stimulates pressure points, thus releasing relaxing endorphins. Whatever the case may be, acupuncture provides relief to many people suffering from pain.

If you decide to try acupuncture, be sure to have a licensed professional administer the treatment. Also, get a physician's referral for an acupuncturist close to you. An acupuncturist should be certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. You can obtain a list of certified specialists in your area by calling the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Bee Venom
Bee venom therapy (BVT) is a toxin that is put into a certain part of the body. The toxin is attacked by the immune system, making it stronger and more prepared to deal with future toxins. The body, in a way, creates its own antibody against the bee venom in that area. This therapy be administered only by a licensed practitioner.

Hydrotherapy
Spas and whirlpools are sometimes used to improve circulation and relieve chronic pain from the back and joints. Different therapy uses different temperatures of water. Cold water reduces inflammation, while cold and warm water improves circulation.

Dr. Nooshin K. Darvish, a specialist in hydrotherapy, recommends that patients apply moist heat to the knee for three minutes followed by cool water for one minute. This should bring relief and stimulate circulation.

Massage
Therapy massage not only feels good, it is an effective way of relieving pain. A masseuse will increase the circulation of the body through rhythmic hand motion. In sports, massage therapy can be used to prevent strain by warming up athletes prior to a workout. The muscles can also be massaged after a workout to bring blood and oxygen into the muscles to flush out metabolic waste and increase circulation to the muscles to bring them the nutrients they need to heal after strenuous activity.

For those suffering from arthritis, massage can also be very helpful. Massage will help blood circulate in the painful area which brings essential nutrients to the muscles and joints which will help reduce inflammation and can also help break up scar tissue and adhesion which is causing pain.

Reflexology
Reflexology has been used as a method to relieve pain for thousands of years starting in ancient Egyptian culture. The premise is that by massaging the feet or hands, you can help ease pain in another part of your body. By massaging a certain part of your foot, for instance, you may be able to soothe knee pain.

Zen
Over the past few years, a scientific affirmation has verified the idea of 'mind over matter'. Zen is a method employed by some to shape mental state and, in some ways, actually control pain. In our fast-paced world, all of us could use some focus and discipline.

Yoga and Tai Chi
Ancient Oriental exercises have become increasingly popular in the United States over the past few decades. These exercises stress the importance not only of physical agility, but joining the mind and body to have mental control over the physical state. These exercises are not only trendy, they are useful in increasing flexibility and gaining strength, which can help prevent and alleviate pain.
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