October 2024 Healthy News from Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC Treatment Options via Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain
HELP FOR KNEE PAIN
Knee pain is all too common. While La Grande knee replacement surgery can offer relief, it is not risk-free. According to a study by Iordache et al., predictive factors such as severe pain and limited mobility must be weighed against potential problems like infection, device failure, and the need for revision surgery. More specifically, the features of a patient likely requiring a total knee arthroplasty due to knee osteoarthritis are being a female over 65 years of age with high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hypertension, and fibrinogen value (a blood-clotting protein made in the liver in response to injury, infection, and inflammation) associated with low overall KSS (knee society score) and specific KSS function values averaging 56.70. (1). Good to know! For those looking for non-surgical options, innovative treatments like those based on the Cox® Flexion Distraction Decompression technique are promising. A retrospective case series by Albano (2) highlights its potential in decreasing knee discomfort by gently decompressing the knee joint, offering a less invasive alternative for those aiming to improve joint function and decrease pain. Albano treated 25 patients with knee pain. Their mean VAS (visual analog score) numbers which reflect their view of pain dropped from 7.7 to 1.8. The mean number of treatments was 5.3 over an average of 3 weeks. Acute pain patient scores decreased from 8.1 to 1.1 in 4.8 treatments in 2.4 weeks while chronic knee pain patient scores decreased from 7.5 to 2.2 in 5.4 treatments in 3.3 weeks. And the best part: no bad reactions! (2) Distraction of the knee follows similar principles of Cox® Technic spinal manipulation. In simplistic terms, open the joints by stretching to ease pain! We’re ready to talk about any knee pain you may be suffering when we next see you at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC!
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Luigi Albano on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about the utilization of distraction principles based on The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to ease knee pain.
TIP OF THE MONTH: Supplement with Chondroitin Sulfate and Curcumin
You’ll note in the paragraph above on La Grande knee pain that an elevated ESR (sed rate) – a marker of inflammation - is a risk factor for knee replacement. Chondroitin sulfate and curcumin are two powerful allies in the battle against inflammation, especially for those experiencing conditions like knee osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate has been shown to deactivate the NLRP3 inflammasome, which plays a crucial role in the inflammatory process, thereby potentially alleviating joint pain and stiffness as evidenced by the study conducted by Chang and colleagues. (3) Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is another strong anti-inflammatory agent that helps alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms by modulating the p38MAPK pathway, according to research by Wang et al. (4) These two have hope for many knee pain sufferers seeking relief from joint discomfort, helping improve mobility and quality of life. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is ready to talk about the suitability of these natural compounds for you at your next appointment!
Bring your knee pain (and send that of your friends and family!) to Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC! We’re here to help.
Schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment now!
Thank you! Have a great October!