Treatments

Treatment Options in Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, and Tempe, AZ

Knee pain is common.

Our way of treating it isn’t.

Knee pain is common, but our way of treating it isn’t. The experienced medical team at Reflex Knee Specialists uses a wide range of innovative treatments and therapies to help patients get back to doing what they love. In addition to treatments like viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and ozone joint therapy, we have onsite physical therapists and advanced diagnostic tools. We take a comprehensive approach to knee health, allowing us to reduce your knee pain and inflammation without invasive interventions like surgery. Reflex Knee Specialists has offices in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona. Learn more about the treatments we offer

Comprehensive Knee Evaluation

Comprehensive knee evaluations help patients understand if underlying conditions or injuries are causing recurrent knee pain or issues with knee function and joint mobility. At Reflex Knee Specialists, these evaluations consist of a physical exam, a review of the patient’s medical history and symptoms, and diagnostic ultrasound imaging to develop a customized treatment. It is recommended for athletes, patients with a family history of knee concerns, patients at risk for osteoarthritis, those with prior knee injuries, and those with recurring knee pain.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Knee Assessment

The providers at Reflex Knee Specialists use ultrasound technology to identify the root cause of knee pain and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Unlike an MRI or X-rays, a diagnostic ultrasound can assess the knee joint while in motion or while putting a tendon or ligament under stress. Ultrasound is safe, fast, and non-invasive. Reflex Knee Specialists providers also perform an ultrasound knee assessment to diagnose cartilage damage inside the joint in its earliest stages, years before the damage is seen on X-ray or MRI. Ultrasound can also assess how a patient is responding to treatment by comparing images before and after treatment.

Joint Fluid Therapy

Also known as viscosupplementation, joint fluid therapy is a non-invasive procedure commonly used to treat osteoarthritis in the knees. This injection treatment uses hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in the human body, to lubricate the joints. Usually given as a series of viscosupplementation injections, joint fluid therapy improves the quality of the synovial fluid in the knee. A single series of treatments can provide significant pain relief for up to six months.

Knee Bracing

An off-loading knee brace can be a valuable tool for stabilizing the knee and reducing the stress over the injured or damaged area of the knee. Knee bracing improves alignment and reduces the risk of falling. A knee brace can also improve a patient’s gait and increase their activity level. Our providers will determine if you need a knee brace as part of your treatment plan.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is a state-of-the-art treatment, in which the body’s potent growth factors, stored in platelets, are concentrated and re-injected into a damaged or injured area. Patients typically undergo one to two PRP treatments six to eight weeks apart to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, and improve joint function and mobility.

Ozone Joint Therapy

Ozone joint therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps relieve chronic knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Ozone gas has properties that decrease inflammation and alleviate pain. It also slows joint damage by deactivating the proteins responsible for breaking down cartilage tissue. Several randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated an augmented benefit when ozone is combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and hyaluronic acid (HA) treatments.

Physical Therapy

Knee injuries or joint stiffness can cause a person to stand or walk differently to minimize pain. This is known as a compensation pattern. Unfortunately, compensation leads to further joint damage and may cause issues in other parts of body, such as the hips or ankles. Evaluation by one of our skilled physical therapists will identify any compensation patterns and show you how to correct them. They will also teach you how to optimize knee biomechanics and get moving properly. Once dysfunctional movement patterns have been corrected, the focus of physical therapy turns to strengthening muscles that stabilize the knee. A high-quality, specialized knee physical therapy program improves flexibility, decreases stress on the joint, reduces pain, and optimizes joint health for the long term. It will also help prevent further problems from arising in other joints due to compensation.

Nutritional Supplements for Joint Health

Inadequate nutrition can raise the risk for multiple chronic conditions and complications like knee pain. Joint supplements can reduce inflammation and support better knee and joint health. The team at Reflex Knee Specialists offers a variety of knee pain supplements and can assist patients in maintaining proper nutrition. Our providers can recommend specific formulations based on the needs of the patient.

A Note on Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement is successful in alleviating symptoms for 70% of patients who decide to undergo this surgery. A staggering 30% of patients still experience pain and are dissatisfied following replacement surgery. Additionally, joint replacement renders a knee ineligible for non-surgical treatments (besides physical therapy). For these reasons, the team at Reflex Knee Specialists strongly recommends that patients first see how they respond to non-surgical solutions before proceeding with an invasive and irreversible knee replacement surgery.

The Reflex Knee Specialists team has helped many patients with meniscal tears, advanced arthritis (“bone on bone”), or other conditions to avoid or postpone surgery. These patients are now leading active lives with little to no pain. For this reason, our team encourages patients to view knee replacement as a last resort, after more conservative and non-invasive treatments have been tried. We recommend that you come to Reflex Knee Specialists for an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for non-surgical treatments before scheduling surgery.

Choose Non-Invasive Knee Treatments at Reflex Knee Specialists

Get back in the game with Reflex Knee Specialists. Our team of experienced medical providers offers cutting-edge treatments and a specialized physical therapy program to optimize knee health for the long term. We serve patients from our offices in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona. Don’t let knee pain keep you from living an active and fulfilling life by enjoying the activities you enjoy. Contact us today or call 503-719-6783 to schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation and learn more about your treatment options.