Knee Osteoarthritis

About Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a term used to describe degenerative joint disease resulting from progressive loss of cartilage, the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones and allows them to glide without friction. In the later stages of knee OA, reduced lubrication from synovial fluid contributes to further degeneration of the joint. New regenerative technologies are now available to help combat knee OA by renewing eroded cartilage, to relieve pain and restore function.

New regenerative technologies are now available to help combat knee OA by renewing eroded cartilage, to relieve pain and restore function. Extra corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is one of many evidence-based approaches we use at NYDNRehab to regenerate knee cartilage. With nearly two decades of experience treating different types of arthritic and bone conditions, our multifaceted approach ensures that patients receive the most effective treatment protocol currently available for knee cartilage regeneration.

Dr. Lev Kalika

Clinical director & DC RMSK

About Knee Pain Specialist Dr. Lev Kalika

NYDNRehab clinical director Dr. Lev Kalika has revolutionized knee pain treatment by introducing high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography for structural diagnosis, combined with gait and motion analysis technology to visualize and objectify the functional movement of the lower extremity. In addition, new regenerative technologies, along with ultrasound guided injection therapies, are transforming the way in which we view and treat degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

Dr.Kalika’s expertise is sought by professional athletes and physically active adults across the United States.

Knee OA Treatment at NYDNRehab vs Conventional Treatment

Many people, including medical professionals, view joint osteoarthritis as an inevitable consequence of aging. Yet multiple studies have proven that the true causes of joint degeneration in most people are sedentary lifestyles and obesity. In fact, one analysis revealed that the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis has more than doubled since the mid-20th century, and another peer-reviewed article debunks the notion of “wear and tear” as the underlying cause of joint OA.

Despite the growing body of research pointing to lifestyle as the primary cause of knee OA, conventional medicine is geared to managing symptoms rather than addressing their underlying source. Common treatments often involve pain killers, NSAIDs, prescription pharmaceuticals, corticosteroid injections, knee braces and abstaining from physical activity, allowing for further degeneration without hope of a cure. When all else fails, surgery may be prescribed as a last resort, with little hope of fully restoring normal mobility.

Knee OA Treatment at NYDNRehab vs Conventional Treatment

Knee OA Treatment at NYDNRehab vs Conventional Treatment Image 2

At NYDNRehab, we take a holistic and individualized approach to patient care. We go beyond treating symptoms to getting to their underlying cause, with the goal of restoring pain-free fluid movement. Our regenerative and diagnostic technologies equip us to help our patients eliminate pain and dysfunction without drugs or surgery, so you can get back to doing the things you love.

Regenerative Therapies are Game
Changers for Knee OA

The human body has its own innate healing mechanisms, but it sometimes needs a nudge to accelerate the healing process. Regenerative technologies help to jump-start healing by stimulating tissue repair at the cellular level. Our outpatient regenerative therapies expedite recovery with minimal discomfort for the patient.

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Focused ESWT is used as a regenerative treatment for damaged tendon, muscle and bone tissue. This technology produces high frequency sound waves to stimulate the body’s own reparative mechanisms. ESWT is an evidence-based approach with a proven track record of success in regenerating knee cartilage.

Extracorporeal Magnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT)

EMTT is a fairly new technology that transmits high energy magnetic pulses to targeted tissues. The magnetic waves synchronize with the body’s own magnetic fields, causing a disturbance that triggers a regenerative response. EMTT waves can penetrate deep tissues up to 18 cm beneath the skin’s surface, to target difficult-to-reach tendons, muscles, bones and nerves.

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT)

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)

EPAT, also known as defocused shock wave therapy, uses acoustic pressure waves to enhance blood circulation to targeted tissues. This speeds up the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues and stimulates cellular metabolism, to accelerate the healing process.

High Energy Inductive Therapy (HEIT)

HEIT uses electromagnetic fields to penetrate cells, tissues, organs and bones, to reactivate the electrochemical function of cells and cell membranes. HEIT generates a magnetic field 600 times stronger than the field of a normal magnet, to stimulate healing of nerves, muscles and blood vessels.

HIGH ENERGY INDUCTIVE THERAPY (HEIT)

INDIBA CT9 Radiofrequency Device

Our INDIBA Tecar therapy machine converts electrical current into a stable radio frequency current of 448 kHz, designed to increase and stabilize the exchange of ions in damaged cells, evoking a regenerative response that accelerates healing. INDIBA can be used to successfully treat joint and muscle disorders, low-back pain, sports injuries, surgical incisions and various pain syndromes. Another therapeutic effect of INDIBA is extreme and prolonged cellular hyperthermia. Due to this effect, INDIBA therapy combined with manual therapy and soft tissue tissue manipulation enables instantaneous release to occur, significantly shortening the number and duration of physical therapy sessions. What is normally accomplished in two months of physical therapy can be accomplished in 3-4 sessions with INDIBA.

Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling

Myofascial trigger points often contribute to lower back pain. Dry needling is an outpatient procedure that inserts non-medicated needles into the trigger point to evoke a twitch response, releasing the trigger point and immediately relieving pain. Ultrasound guidance eliminates the need for multiple insertions, reducing pain and discomfort for the patient.

Ultrasound Guided Injection
Therapies

Injection therapies use natural/neutral solutions that stimulate cellular repair by either nourishing or irritating the targeted cells. Guidance by ultrasound ensures that the injected substances hit their mark, for maximum effectiveness.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP therapy uses a sample of the patient’s own whole blood, which is spun in a centrifuge to extract a high concentration of platelets. When injected into damaged tissues, PRP initiates tissue repair by releasing biologically active factors such as growth factors, cytokines, lysosomes and adhesion proteins. The injected solution stimulates the synthesis of new connective tissues and blood vessels. PRP can help to jump-start healing in chronic injuries and accelerate repair in acute injuries.

Proliferation Therapy, aka Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy uses a biologically neutral solution, often containing dextrose, saline or lidocaine. The solution irritates the affected connective tissue, stimulating the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to encourage growth of new normal ligament or tendon fibers.

Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors

While knee OA involves the degeneration of cartilage, it is considered to be a chronic disease of the entire joint, affecting the cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles surrounding the knee. Its debilitating nature is strongly associated with metabolic disease and premature death.

Symptoms

Knee stiffness and swelling, making it difficult to bend the knee
Increased pain and swelling after sleeping or relaxing
Increased pain during physical activity
Sensations of the knee locking or sticking
Knee joint creaking, popping or crackling
Weakness in the knees
Weather-sensitive joint pain

Causes

A pro-inflammatory diet high in sugars and chemicals
Lack of physical activity
Being overweight or obese
Poor sleep habits
Faulty gait mechanics
Chronic dehydration
Overuse from occupation, sports or exercise

Risk Factors

Diabetes
Heart disease
Cancer
Impaired ability to walk
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Advanced age combined with other risk factors

Our Advanced Technologies mean Accurate Diagnosis and Superior Treatment Results

The knee pain specialists at NYDNRehab are experts in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Diagnostic ultrasound not only enables the doctor to identify the exact location where cartilage has eroded, but it allows your clinician to view your knee in motion, in real time, to assess how OA impacts your joint function. In addition, our 3D gait analysis lab lets us identify faulty gait mechanics that contribute to knee OA pain.

Armed with this information, we are able to create a personalized treatment plan for you, to relieve OA pain and put you on the path to recovery.

Our Advanced Technologies mean Accurate Diagnosis and Superior Treatment Results

Our Unique Treatment Approach to Knee OA

At NYDNRehab, we treat every patient as a unique individual, and we recognize that every condition is impacted by the patient’s lifestyle and health profile. We never use a one-size-fits-all approach to patient care. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment plan may include a combination of some or all of the following therapies.

EMTT

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) uses electromagnetic fields to reduce pain and stimulate cellular progenesis in cartilage and meniscus tissues. It is often used in conjunction with ESWT to optimize cellular progenesis and speed healing. We often combine EMTT and ESWT with platelet-rich plasma injections, in accordance with the latest scientific evidence.

ESWT

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) delivers pulses of energy at near-supersonic speeds into damaged and painful tissues. Shockwave therapy promotes blood vessel formation and increases blood flow for greater oxygen and nutrient delivery. ESWT has been shown to modify the erosion and alteration of cartilage and subchondral bone, accelerate knee tissue healing and reduce pain.

Alter-G Antigravity Treadmill

Our gravity-reducing treadmill unloads the knee joint, to enable retraining of gait patterns without placing undue stress on your knees. This approach speeds recovery by allowing gradual reloading of the knee and gradual improvement of gait patterns.

Blood Flow Restriction Training

BFR makes it possible to rehabilitate injured tissues using much lighter loads, eliciting a regenerative response in damaged cells. BFR helps to strengthen the muscles that surround and support the knee without overloading the joint. It speeds the recovery process for faster return to pain-free activity.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy exercises work to strengthen and rebalance the muscles that support the knee joint, taking pressure off of nerves and connective tissue, and realigning the joint for optimal function.

Ultrasound Guided Injection Therapies

We sometimes use injection therapies for knee OA, to reduce pain and inflammation, and to promote the regeneration of new collagen cells. Corticosteroids, platelet rich plasma, hyaluronic acid and other injections may be used when deemed appropriate. Ultrasound guidance ensures that the injected substance reaches its target with precision and accuracy, for superior results and minimal patient discomfort.

Preventing Knee Osteoarthritis

There are a number of things you can proactively do to prevent the onset of knee OA or to halt its progression:

Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Drink plenty of water to keep your joints lubricated.
Eat a nutrient-dense diet high in fresh vegetables, healthy fats and clean proteins, and avoid sugars, refined grains and processed foods.
Exercise daily. Your knees in particular were designed for walking. Add resistance training to strengthen the structures that support your knees.
Request a gait analysis and gait retraining, to correct faulty gait mechanics that contribute to OA.

Get Personalized Knee OA Treatment, Designed Just for You

Don’t let yourself be stereotyped by doctors who want to manage your knee OA symptoms with drugs and surgery, without trying to reverse your condition. The knee pain specialists at NYDNRehab are dedicated to resolving your knee OA and restoring fluid pain-free movement.

Our personalized one-on-one approach makes NYDNRehab the clinic of choice for knee OA in NYC. Contact us today, and get rid of debilitating knee pain so you can get back to doing the things you love.

Clinical Case Studies
NYDNRehab

Knee Pain Caused by Nerve Entrapment

Our patient was a 65 year-old male complaining of medial knee pain, with a history of low back pain. He had previously undergone a lumbar discectomy where a degenerative disc had been removed at L4-L5.

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Case Study: Runner’s Pain

Our patient is a 33 year-old female runner complaining of hamstring and calf tightness, and posterior knee pain in both legs. The pain began in 2015, but she continued to run.

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