Bone-on-bone knee pain is typically a result of deteriorated cartilage within the knee joint, mainly from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage that cushions your bones wears down over time. It affects senior citizens most notably but can affect younger individuals, especially those with prior or underlying conditions.
While preventing osteoarthritis and further degradation of the joint is possible with an early diagnosis, many individuals only realize they have symptoms and seek medical attention once the wearing down has begun.
Bone-on-bone Knee Pain Brought on by Osteoarthritis
The main causes of osteoarthritis include:
- Older age and natural wear and tear
- Gender (women are more likely to develop this condition)
- Obesity
- Joint injuries or repetitive stress on the joint
- Genetics or heredity
- Bone deformities and other illnesses
Osteoarthritis can manifest in many symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Restriction of movement and stiffness
- Loss of flexibility
- Swelling and inflammation
- Bone spurs or bumps around the affected joint
Regenerative Medicine Treatments to Help Relieve Bone-on-bone Knee Pain
In the past, most treatments for osteoarthritis included pain medication, mainly opioids. While these treatments may help with symptoms and manage pain, they do not prevent further degradation of the knee nor aid in healing. Therefore, many patients are left with no other choice than to undergo major surgery to repair the damage. With the help of regenerative medicine, however, patients can seek to strengthen diminishing cartilage and restore the function of the knee to maintain a more enjoyable, pain-free day-to-day life.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
One type of treatment for osteoarthritis involves an injection of platelet-rich plasma into the affected knee joint(s). In this procedure, a small amount of your blood is drawn and the platelets using a centrifuge. The resulting substance is rich in necessary components vital to healing and overall well-being, including cytokines (proteins that stimulate the body’s healing response) and growth factors. Therefore, when injected into an osteoarthritis-ridden knee, it can assist in repairing the damaged cartilage. This results in regained mobility, strength, and relief from pain with minimal downtime or negative side effects.
Regenerative Tissue Therapy
Regenerative tissue therapy is another innovative procedure that can slow the wearing down of the knee joint. In this treatment, umbilical allografts are used to safely and ethically harness a substance called Wharton’s jelly during planned cesarean section births. This substance is rich in hyaluronic acid, proteins, peptides, and amino acids. The young, potent regenerative tissue triggers the body’s own healing mechanisms to help reverse bone-on-bone trauma deterioration. Like PRP, this procedure is also quick and easy, with patients usually noticing a difference in their symptoms within mere weeks.
If you or someone you know is suffering from bone-on-bone knee pain, we can help! Find out which options are best for you to regain your knee’s strength and mobility and get back to an active life. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at (336) 777-7364 and schedule your complimentary consultation.