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Knee Injections Allentown, PA

Knee Injections Allentown, PA

Ease Arthritis Pain with Therapeutic Injections

Therapeutic knee injections in Allentown, PA can reduce the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. It is a condition where tissue around the joints are gradually worn down. For many people living with osteoarthritis, the pain can be agonizing. Basic things like sitting and stretching are often painful. Non-invasive osteoarthritis treatments are available and can provide relief for the millions of people that suffer from it. With non-invasive treatments, patients can recover more quickly and generally experience less severe side effects compared to surgery and other riskier treatments. Injections are frequently used along with other noninvasive treatments, including knee bracing, physical therapy, or medications. Knee injections typically deliver medicine directly inside the knee joint capsule. Some knee doctors may use ultrasound imaging to help guide the placement of the shot.

Different injections are available, and which one is used typically depends on the severity of your condition and your doctor’s recommendation. Injections are a good treatment option to consider because the procedure is quick and is not as risky as prescription medications or surgery. Finding the right one for you can be confusing, but a skilled and trained knee doctor can develop a detailed treatment plan. A knee doctor from the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania. can discuss the different options with you, and together, you can decide which therapy is most appropriate, if any. Learn more about the various types of injections that patients with knee osteoarthritis may receive. 

Cortisone Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis

Cortisone injections work by addressing the inflammation that can lead to warmth, swelling, and knee discomfort. When joints are inflamed, it restricts range of movement and makes it painful to do basic movements.  Cortisone injections reduce inflammation so that joints can freely move. The effects of cortisone shots can last from a few weeks to a few months, and sometimes longer.

Cortisone shots are an excellent option for individuals who seek quick, temporary relief from arthritis pain in the knee. After the first injection, patients can experience substantial pain relief. The temporary pain relief gained from the corticosteroid may allow an individual to participate in physical therapy or delay knee replacement surgery to a more convenient time in the future. It provides enough short-term pain relief so that patients can continue to undergo more intensive treatments. 

Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis

Hyaluronic acid injections, sometimes called viscosupplementation injections, deliver lubricating fluid directly into the knee joint. The objective of these knee injections Allentown, PA is to lubricate the knee joint temporarily, decreasing pain and inflammation. These injections can also improve knee function and might even slow the degeneration process. In general, hyaluronic acid injections will take effect more slowly than cortisone injections. However, the beneficial effects may last longer.

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP Injections) for Knee Osteoarthritis

Platelet-rich plasma therapy injections attempt to use the blood’s natural growth factors and healing properties to repair damaged tissues. Plasma therapy is a unique type of regenerative medicine. This form of therapy is extremely versatile and is used as a treatment for a number of other medical conditions. PRP is derived from a sample of a patient’s blood that is processed to contain a higher concentration of platelets than what is typically found in the blood. A growing body of evidence suggests the PRP injections may be useful in treating knee osteoarthritis in some individuals. If you are interested in these knee injections in Allentown, PA, you should speak with one of our knee doctors for further advice. 

Stem Cell Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis

Stem cells are unique because they may develop into other types of tissue and organs in the body, and have regenerative abilities. Research suggests that stem cells may develop into cartilage cells when injected into an osteoarthritic knee. They may also slow down cartilage regeneration, reduce inflammation, and decrease knee pain. The stem cells used in these shots are collected from a patient’s blood, fat tissue, or bone marrow. Because they are used from the patient’s blood, the body does not reject it as a foreign substance so many patients have reported a high chance of success from the procedure. 

Prolotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Prolotherapy usually involves numerous injections into the soft tissues of the knee. The objective of prolotherapy is to encourage and stimulate the body’s natural tissue repair mechanisms. During treatment, an Allentown knee doctor injects an irritant—typically a dextrose solution—into the knee joint and tissues around it. Several injections—as many as 15 or 20—are applied during one treatment session. Prolotherapy triggers a temporary inflammatory response. It is not recommended for most people with inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis. Prolotherapy is not considered a standard practice. The procedure is beneficial for eligible patients. Talk to a knee doctor to see if you are a suitable candidate for prolotherapy. 

Are You Interested in Alleviating Your Knee Pain with Knee Injections in Allentown, PA? 

If you’d like to know more about injections knee pain in Allentown, PA and how they might help you, contact a knee doctor who is from the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.

Common Overuse Injuries of the Knee

Knee pain is a common occurrence, as the knees are used for most common motions. They are prone to wear and tear over the years, so they are susceptible to injury. Repetitive motions can cause pain and stiffness. Overuse injuries often occur without a specific incidence being linked to the source of the pain. Some common overuse injuries of the knee include the following.

Bursitis

Within the knee joint are six sacs called “bursa” sacs. These are used to lubricate the knee joint, but they often get irritated and can cause pain. This could happen due to an injury, due to pressure being put on the knees or due to overuse of the joint. The pain is typically a result of an inflamed bursa, which is called bursitis. Individuals with bursitis do have options for pain relief and treatment, and should seek the assistance of a chiropractor or physician or knee injections doctor in Allentown, PA.

Osteoarthritis

Underneath the kneecap is a protective tissue called articular cartilage. When this cartilage wears out, osteoarthritis often occurs. Individuals with this condition will generally feel pain in the morning that could increasingly get worse as the day goes on and the individual moves about. In many cases, an individual can change his or her lifestyle to find pain relief, and a chiropractor can help the individual discover which changes need to be made. Often, losing weight, modifying physical activities and undergoing physical therapy or chiropractic can achieve the desired results.

Patellar Tendinopathy

Commonly known as jumper’s knee, patellar tendinopathy is a degeneration of the tendons in the knee. Someone with this condition will feel pain when squatting, running, going up stairs, jumping or other movements similar to those. The continual, rapid movement of forcing the knee to straighten is what makes the tendons weak and causes pain. A physical therapist or knee injections doctor in Allentown, PA can help a sufferer through strengthening and stretching exercises that encourage healing and pain relief.

Patellofemoral Pain

This condition can be caused by tight muscles, weak muscles, knock knees, rotated hips and a variety of overuse movements that are typical in quick training moves. Someone who suffers from patellofemoral pain will feel it behind the kneecap or in front of it, and it worsens when the individual runs, sits for a long period of time, goes up stairs, squats or completes other similar movements. While muscle stretches and exercises could help, you might also need to tape the knee or wear a brace.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. It is a condition where a person’s immune system attacks its own tissue, especially in the joints. It causes joints to become painful, tender, swollen, and stiff.

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have more than one joint affected by the condition. The same two joints on opposite sides of the body are frequently involved with RA. RA impacts small joints, which are found in the wrists, hands, and feet.

Although joint problems are the first things people recognize when it comes to arthritis, the disease of rheumatoid arthritis can impact other parts of the body as well. With RA, problems as follows may also occur:

  • eyes become dry, painful, and red,
  • the mouth becomes dry and gums are more easily irritated or infected,
  • the skin can develop small lumps over bony areas known as rheumatoid nodules,
  • blood vessels become inflamed, potentially causing nerve and skin damage,
  • the number of red blood cells can drop, called anemia, and
  • lungs can become inflamed and scarred, causing shortness of breath.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

As an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune system. With RA, the immune system attacks the body’s small joints. The precise reasons why this happens are unknown. Still, research suggests that the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is related to hormones, genes, and environmental factors, including

  • female hormones (70 percent of RA sufferers are women),
  • obesity,
  • infectious agents like bacteria and viruses, and
  • one’s physical and emotional response to stress and trauma.

Some other environmental factors may play a part in determining who gets RA, too, such as:

  • air pollution,
  • cigarette smoke exposure,
  • insecticide exposure, and
  • exposure to mineral oil or silica in the workplace.

Why Does Exercise Benefit Those With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Exercise is considered the no. 1 non-drug treatment for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise has many benefits, including

  • strengthening bones and muscles,
  • delaying joint replacement,
  • decreasing fatigue,
  • lowering blood pressure,
  • improving cholesterol levels,
  • reducing pain, and
  • improving movement and well-being.

With Rheumatoid Arthritis, How Often Should I Exercise?

Getting enough exercise has many benefits for people diagnosed with RA. Advice from your doctor is always best, so follow that first and foremost. The typical RA sufferer will need range-of-motion exercises to improve their long-term health. It is highly effective at reducing pain and inflammation. A doctor may incorporate physical therapy as part of a patient’s treatment plan for RA.

Each treatment plan varies depending on a patient’s medical history, so a doctor will give you exercises specific to your condition and fitness level. In the following slides, we will guide you through some of the best exercises to protect your joints and help you get the most from your life while managing and reducing the pain, swelling, and immobility of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Swim Your Way to Fitness

Swimming is a great, low-impact way to exercise your body without intense joint pain. This is especially true with a heated pool. The water makes you feel great while you swim. When you are in the water, there is less resistance, so it is a great exercise for patients who are starting a new fitness program or who want to gradually transition to a more difficult exercise routine. Here are some steps to help you ease into a regular swimming routine:

  • Begin slowly with a few minutes in a heated pool.
  • Use a kickboard when you first adjust to moving in the water.
  • Gradually build to a goal of swimming 30 minutes at a time.

Learning More About Knee Pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you are in a situation in which you don’t know where your pain is coming from and don’t know what you can do concerning the rheumatoid arthritis condition, contact our chiropractor for a consultation so you can begin the path to healing. If you have been feeling ongoing pain in your joints that has not improved, you may benefit from making an appointment with a qualified doctor. Arthritis pain is limiting and can greatly affect how you go about your daily life. Fortunately, there are diverse treatments and therapies that a doctor can recommend to alleviate your pain and improve your range of motion. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: Inflammation of Organs

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the entire body. In addition to the joints and muscles, RA can cause problems in many other areas of the body:

  • Eyes and mouth: inflammation of the glands in the eyes and mouth causes dryness, and an autoimmune disease of the tear and saliva glands called Sjogren’s syndrome. It can also lead to inflammation of the white part of the eye (scleritis).
  • Lungs: inflammation of the lung lining (pleuritis) or the lungs themselves can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
  • Heart: inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart (pericarditis) can cause chest pain, which tends to be worse when lying down. RA patients are also at greater risk for heart attacks.
  • Spleen: inflammation of the spleen (Felty’s syndrome) can cause a decrease in white blood cells, which raises the risk of infections.
  • Skin: firm lumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules), typically located around affected joints, often on pressure points such as elbows, fingers, and knuckles.
  • Blood vessels: inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) can limit blood supply to surrounding tissues, causing tissue death (necrosis).

What Is a Rheumatologist?

A rheumatologist is usually an internal medicine specialist or paediatrician, with specialized rheumatology training to identify and treat the more than 100 different types of arthritis in addition to other autoimmune disorders such as lupus, polymyositis, and vasculitis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Hands

There is no singular test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no singular test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. First, the doctor will perform a physical and take a history of symptoms. The joints will be examined to determine if there is inflammation and tenderness. The heart, lungs, eyes, mouth, and extremities will be evaluated. And the skin may be examined to look for rheumatoid nodules. The doctor may order blood tests or X-rays to help diagnose the condition.

Many other diseases such as gout, fibromyalgia, and lupus may resemble rheumatoid arthritis, so the doctor will rule out these conditions before making a diagnosis of RA.

Rheumatoid Factor & Blood Tests

Blood tests are usually run to help make a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Blood tests are usually run to help make a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. These tests check for certain antibodies including anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA), which are present in most RA patients.

Rheumatoid factor (RF; a group of antibodies that attack the person’s tissue;) is present in about 75% to 80% of RA patients, and a high RF may indicate a more aggressive form of the disease. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are not specific for a diagnosis for RA, but their presence can indicate to the doctor that an autoimmune disorder may be present.

Which Foods Can Help You Fight Arthritis?

Along with the use of medications, a proper diet can curb the inflammatory responses from the body that cause pain. Eating the right foods also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is incredibly important since your hips and knees support most, if not all, of your body weight.

Although no diet can cure arthritis, certain foods have been shown to strengthen bones, maintain the immune system and fight inflammation. Adding these foods to your balanced diet may help ease pain and other arthritis symptoms. They can help to ease arthritis symptoms and improve your overall joint health.

To ease your arthritis pain, these types of food can help:

Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel and tuna have high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Both of these have been found to help reduce inflammation. A healthy diet is recommended that includes fish a couple of times a week. For non-fish eaters, consider fish oil supplements as an alternative.

Dark Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, broccoli and collard greens are great sources for vitamins E and C. Vitamin E works to protect the body against pro-inflammatory molecules. Vitamin C helps the body make collagen, which is a major component of cartilage that aids in joint flexibility.

Nuts: Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts contain high amounts of fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fats which all have anti-inflammatory effects. Nuts are also heart-healthy, which is particularly important for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since they have twice the risk of heart disease as healthy adults.

Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats, as well as oleocanthal, which has properties similar to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. Olive oil, combined with vitamin D, has also been shown to protect against bone loss.

Berries: Berries pack a double dose of anti-inflammatory properties. All fruits are high in antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation. Additionally, foods like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries contain anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation.

Garlic and Onions: Believe it or not, but these pungent vegetables contain anti-inflammatory chemicals that have shown to relieve some forms of arthritic pain. As an added bonus, they are also known for their immunity-boosting properties.

Green Tea: This mild-mannered drink contains a natural antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This ingredient has been shown to stop the production of certain inflammatory chemicals in the body, including those involved in arthritis. Recent studies also suggest that EGCG may prevent cartilage from breaking down, helping to preserve joints longer.

While it’s important to incorporate as many of the items listed above into your diet, there are foods you should try to avoid. Those high in saturated and trans fats – such as red meat, fried food and packaged baked goods – are unhealthy in general and can lead to weight gain, which can make symptoms worse.

Ask a doctor about the arthritis treatments that may be suitable for you. Schedule an appointment with a doctor if you are seeking relief from arthritis pain.