Ultrasound Therapy for damaged joint tissues

[Stubborn]

Does anyone here have any experience with Ultrasound for joint tissue repair?

My knees are just about useless for heavy weight now. I know I have torn my meniscus in my right knee, probably the left too. I have bad tendonitis/bursitis in my knees as well. High volume fluid build up aggravates the situation all the more.

Please let me know if you can attest to the helpfulness of this therapy.

Thanks!

[HDPhysiques]

Surgery is your best option.   I recommend the US Center for Sports Medicine in Kirkwood, MO.

[Montague]

Ultrasound seems to be more effective when used in conjunction with Iontophoresis + dexamethasone treatments.

http://www.pain.com/sections/categories_of_pain/Musculoskeletal/resources/library/abstract.cfm?ID=5187&next_page=1&startrec=1&RecordDisplays=20&Search_phrase=

Most of the therapists I know & have known typically use both, and yes – they are helpful in treating tissue inflammation.
I underwent the above therapy combo as a follow-up to cortisone injections to treat my elbow tendonitis.

I’m not sure how much good either of the above would do for torn cartilage.
It may help make the pain a bit more tolerable.
Or, maybe it could do more depending on the severity of the tear.
I really don’t know.

How often is your knee locking up on you?

[Stubborn]

Thanks guys!

Montague, my knee will "blow out" whenever I put a hard/fast/heavy impact into it. For example, overhead jerks, plyo jumps, or even just catching myself from falling when pushed. I can squat fairly heavy without too much pain as long as I pay close attention to form and speed. I cannot 'dunk' a squat unless under 405 anymore.

With an extended warm-up, my knees feel fine, typically. Though it takes some energy away for heavier sets.

I was also looking at unloader braces to see if they would help during cardio and such. Its annoying that I cannot run because of my knees. Any experience with these? I was thinking of designing my own (already have, need to make one though).

I would definitely get surgery but that will have to wait a couple years or so, unfortunately.

Thanks for the help!

[Montague]

0 experience with the braces.
And don’t worry too much about running – that messes up healthy people.

When you do eventually have the surgery, ask about minimally invasive procedures. The recovery time is even less than for conventional surgery.
It’s a little bit newer method, and not everybody is performing them yet.
I’m not even sure if they do it for meniscus tears.

Regardless, even a standard meniscus operation is typically arthroscopic, and most patients rebound quite rapidly.

[Stubborn]

Thats what I hear. I cant wait until that day! I feel like an old man.


If I happen to come across a facility that will do ultrasound for me (affordable) I will post results.


Thanks again!

[bigjoered]

Not heard of ultrasound therapy but you should consider platelate rich injection therapy its very cost effective and has been used in France for years.  It has been gaining popularity in the US recently.

[Stubborn]

Not heard of ultrasound therapy but you should consider platelate rich injection therapy its very cost effective and has been used in France for years.  It has been gaining popularity in the US recently.

Have you or someone you know used it? Any good links?

[bigjoered]

I am planning to use it to help heal a case I have with with patella tendinitis in my knee.  The science of it makes sense to me once it was explained by my doctor.  Basically through cell separation healthy red blood platelets are injected into the damaged tendon which nourish and enrich the tissue promoting the production of newly strengthen muscle tissue.  The procedure was only $400 in my case and I am planning to schedule it soon.  I hear the recovery is often as short as 1 month full restoration of the tendon and muscle tissue (of course that is in my case).  I will try and find some links to post.  Also when I do so for myself I will update you.  Currently I am fighting with a stubborn kidney stone that has put a kink in my training but I am getting surgery on it in a few days so my knee is not the current priority.

[bigjoered]

This might help:

http://www.eppleymd.com/id31.html

[Stubborn]

Thanks, bigjored. I took a look at that site and the procedure seems so simple that I cannot believe it hasn't been used more often. Cheap, cant hurt, and could significantly help. Whats to lose?

Looked into this too: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/mri/article/PIIS0730725X05001979/abstract

[Psychophysio]

Most of the physios I know don't use ultrasound much any more because there is little evidence to suport it for tissue healing. It can be good for heat which will make you feel better but so will a hot pack or wheat bag.
If you have a meniscus tear you will probably need surgery to fix that. Heat or ice may help with your symptoms.

[POB]

Exogen 4000 is a ultra sound bone stim, it's for bones tho not tendons. Used to make bones heal 38% faster

[jpm101]

Stubborn's posted is almost 3 year ago, hopefully the problem has been resolved.  And hopefully , even more, he had a full knee replacement, for each knee. As with a hip replacement, fairy fast and common procedure now days. In Stubborn's case, the only logical option. His injury is/was well beyond Ultrasound.

Only trouble is going through a airport security checkpoint. You can explain about the mental they detected, on their scanner, but it will be to deaf ears. Know a 72 year old lady, who was searched and questions for 2 hours, because of just it.  Good Luck.