Knee pain can interfere with a person’s daily life, activities, and even their job. Reflex Knee Specialists is a knee clinic that provides comprehensive, knee-focused medical care to patients in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. Our medical team takes a non-surgical approach to treating knee pain and its causes to get our patients back to work without pain. Here, we discuss non-surgical treatment options that offer knee pain relief to get patients back on the job.
Common Causes of Knee Pain in Workers
The knee joint is the largest in the body, helping to stabilize the leg and allowing for comfortable movement. When any part of the knee becomes injured or inflamed, it can lead to knee pain, a common condition affecting nearly 1 in 4 adults. Knee pain is quite common and may be chronic or acute. The pain can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause. Conditions and injuries that commonly cause knee pain include:
Knee Arthritis
Knee arthritis, a condition characterized by chronic joint inflammation, leads patients to experience pain, swelling, and stiffness. They may also have reduced flexibility around the affected knee joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis, especially in people 50 and older. It is a degenerative disease that leads to deterioration of the knee cartilage resulting in joint dysfunction and damage.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are a common cause of knee pain, especially in workers who have physically demanding occupations. Typical knee injuries that affect workers, whether they occur at work or not, include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)or medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
- Meniscus tears
- Tendon tears
- Ligament strains
- Knee fractures, sprains, and dislocations
These injuries can cause a range of symptoms, including sharp or dull knee pain, stiffness, swelling, limping, and reduced range of motion.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis, a condition in which tendons become inflamed, is another common cause of knee pain. It usually is the result of overuse, whether from repetitive movements in sports or continuous stress during work.
Patients affected by chronic or disruptive knee pain should speak with their knee doctor to determine the cause and how to treat it best.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Knee Pain Relief
People who work physically demanding jobs may believe they can’t continue working with knee pain, but that’s not always the case. With innovative, non-surgical treatment options available, patients can avoid knee surgeries with long recovery times and get back to work with less pain. The team of medical providers at Reflex Knee Specialists provides multiple innovative, non-surgical treatments and therapies to help patients get back to work pain-free, without surgery. These treatments include:
Joint Fluid Therapy
Joint fluid therapy is a non-invasive treatment for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It involves injecting hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in the human body, into the knee joint to provide more cushioning and protection to the cartilage, decreased pain, reduced levels of inflammation, and improved lubrication. Workers with knee osteoarthritis can benefit from a series of joint fluid knee therapy treatments, as one series can provide pain relief for up to six months.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is an injection therapy for knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, torn menisci, ligament injuries, and more. It involves taking a concentrated sample of the patient’s blood, including plasma and potent growth factors. Specialists then inject this sample into the knee joint to help reduce inflammation, encourage tissue recovery, and stimulate healing. The treatment takes as little as 30 minutes and can provide relief for 6 to 12 months.
Ozone Joint Therapy
Ozone joint therapy is a treatment option for workers struggling with osteoarthritis knee pain. The treatment involves injecting a sterile mixture of oxygen and ozone gas into the joint to help decrease inflammation and alleviate pain. In some studies, ozone joint therapy shows enhanced benefits when combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and hyaluronic acid treatments.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another non-surgical way to help treat knee pain. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, massage, strengthening exercises, and more. These techniques help patients build muscle strength, improve flexibility, and reduce stress on the knee.
Reflex Knee Specialists also offers knee pain supplements and knee bracing options for patients interested in supportive ways to reduce pain. Learn more about treatment options and therapies through our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Request a Knee Pain Consultation Today
Patients with recurrent or debilitating knee pain don’t have to let it disrupt their life or negatively impact their performance in the workplace. Reflex Knee Specialists is committed to helping patients in Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, and Tempe, AZ, stay on the job without pain and without needing surgery. To learn more about how Reflex Knee Specialists helps knee pain patients stay working, book a consultation with a knee specialist today or contact us at 503-719-6783.