Osteoarthritis Care & Knee Injections
Colorado Springs
For comprehensive osteoarthritis care such as physical therapy, pain management, and joint or knee injections, Colorado Springs-based multidisciplinary clinic Colorado Health and Wellness is a leading provider of advanced, non-invasive treatment. We offer patients the most advanced non-surgical options available to alleviate pain and potentially slow joint deterioration associated with osteoarthritis.
"Dr. Cox has done
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KNEE INJECTIONS.
We've helped more people with knee pain relief than ANYONE ELSE IN COLORADO SPRINGS."
- Dr. David Cox, MD
Diagnostic-Guided*, Medicare-Approved, Non-Narcotic Alternative To Surgery
*when medically necessary
WE are proud to be nominated for three categories. Thank you for your support!
Do I Have Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that typically occurs in the knees, spine, hands and hips. It occurs when the cartilage in our joints begins to wear down, causing the bones to rub together. This degeneration can cause incredible pain and result in a loss of mobility.
For many patients, this condition can become life altering. Prevention is critical in treating osteoarthritis. That can mean catching it before the damage becomes too severe or taking action to slow further deterioration. The first step is finding the proper care for you.
If you’ve had knee injections before and been told it didn’t work, still give us a call before surgery.
Surgeons often have to prove that a less invasive method of treatment (i.e. “conservative care”) failed before surgery. Unfortunately, surgeons sometimes may be motivated to jump straight to surgery. Cortisone may not be the best medicine for you. We offer more than 13 different knee injection medicines to fit every unique situation. Also, if the medicine is not injected in the right place, it has no chance of working. That is why our knee injections are diagnostic-guided. That’s how we do our best to get the right medicine to the right place.
Our Approach to Osteoarthritis Care
Many individuals choose to live with joint pain instead of searching for osteoarthritis care. This is usually due to the misunderstanding that surgery or long-term prescription painkillers are their only option for treatment. However, there are non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical options available for osteoarthritis treatment. Colorado Health and Wellness provides multiple types of non-surgical osteoarthritis treatment options.
The treatment prescribed varies depending upon the severity of the damage to the joints. As noted above, osteoarthritis treatment and early intervention for symptomatic knees may help halt deterioration that can lead to surgical intervention such as an ostectomy or knee replacement surgery.
Joint/Knee Injections
Osteoarthritis injections vary, with several options for targeting specific joints, including knee gel. Also known as viscosupplementation therapy, injections are among the most effective, non-surgical treatments available for osteoarthritis. The procedure involves an injection of hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance, into the joint. Hyaluronates work like the natural synovial fluid that usually exists in your joints, allowing bones to glide over each other naturally. For cases such as arthritis in knees, pain relief can begin within a month of the first injection.
Our doctors use fluoroscopy technology to watch each injection in real time. This guarantees the injected material is introduced to the exact point intended. This technology also allows each injection to be minimally invasive.
Joint injections have a high success rate in reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis. They are also covered by most major medical insurance providers and Medicare. There are many joint and knee gel injection brands and types. Depending on the specific situation, your doctor will recommend the injection that is right for you.
Other Options for Osteoarthritis Treatment
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy have worked with thousands of arthritic knees. Physical therapy is another recommended treatment for osteoarthritis. It can be used as a preventative measure or as support for treatments like injections. Physical therapy helps patients strengthen muscles around the affected area. This relieves some of the strain on deteriorating cartilage.
Physical therapy is also a useful tool for helping patients with injury prevention. Patients who proactively address issues such as balance and coordination as they age can help reduce the impact of osteoarthritis on their bodies. Physical therapy can also reduce the chances that injury-induced osteoarthritis will occur.
TENS therapy is a powerful tool for pain relief when treating osteoarthritis. It uses electric currents to disrupt pain signals to your brain. It is non-invasive and can be performed in the clinic. In several studies, TENS has been shown to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in osteoarthritis patients. It can reduce the need for pain medication, as well.
It is important to note that TENS is useful for pain management. However, it cannot solve the underlying problem of cartilage deterioration. TENS is best used as a supplemental therapy to treatments such as injections or physical therapy.
Surgical intervention is an option for the most severe cases of osteoarthritis. At Colorado Health and Wellness, we work to create treatment plans that help our patients avoid surgery if at all possible. Our multidisciplinary approach supports patients in halting deterioration and preventing further damage.
The two common surgeries associated with osteoarthritis are an osteotomy and knee replacement surgery. An osteotomy either removes or adds bone to a damaged joint to shift weight off of deteriorating cartilage. Knee replacement surgery removes parts of the knee and replaces them with artificial parts. It is an option for patients who have run out of options for how to treat arthritis in the knees.
Recovery from surgery can be slow and painful. It is also a more expensive option. For example, knee gel injections cost far less than surgical intervention and do not require an extended recovery period. Whenever possible, we work to help our patients avoid surgery through alternative treatment.
Prescription pain medication is another option for treating osteoarthritis. However, medication only alleviates the symptoms of the pain. It does not resolve the problem. When a patient complains about signs of arthritis in the knees or hands, medication is one of the top suggestions.
Prescription painkillers can be addictive and they can also mask deterioration or make the patient overwork the affected area. Our practice utilizes non-pharmaceutical, non-narcotic treatment to help patients avoid these complications.
Learn More About
About Osteoarthritis
Quick Facts
- Around 27 million people suffer from osteoarthritis pain in the United States
- It is the most common form of arthritis
- Knee osteoarthritis affects 10% of men and 13% of women over 60 per the National Institutes of Health
- Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis
- Chances of developing osteoarthritis increase after the age of 45
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
- Joint pain
- Grinding sensation in the joints
- Popping in the joints
- Swelling and inflammation
- Stiffness, particularly after long periods of inactivity
- Sensitivity or tenderness in the area around the joint
- Bone spurs
- Loss of mobility or flexibility
- Other signs include grinding that feels like “bone on bone,” knee pain, aching in the joints, trouble walking or difficulty performing daily activities
Common Causes of Osteoarthritis
- Age: Our bodies wear down over time and our joints bear a great deal of that wear and tear. A common question we hear in our practice from those over 60 is, “What does arthritis in the knee feel like?” or “How do I know if I have arthritis?”
- Obesity: Weight is a common issue for those seeking arthritis knee treatment. Weight can cause excess pressure on the cartilage and wear it out over time.
- Overuse: Overuse is a common answer to the question of what causes arthritis in the knees or hands. Our knees and hands are essential to mobility.
- Injury: Damage to the joints can also contribute to osteoarthritis, whether it is a sudden injury or a long-term issue.
- Genetic predisposition: Sometimes, arthritis is hereditary. If a close family member has ever complained of osteoarthritis knee symptoms or pain in the hands, hips or spine, patients may want to consider preventative measures.
- Other risk factors such as diabetes that is likely due to obesity.
More Resources for Learning About Osteoarthritis
What Our Patients Say
About Colorado Springs Premier Knee Injection Treatments
Schedule a consultation!
Are you experiencing joint pain in the knees, hips, hands or spine? Searching for information on knee injections near me to ease pain and try to get back to normal mobility? These symptoms may be a sign of osteoarthritis. Schedule a consultation with us by calling 719-576-2225; we would love to help you!