We're seeing a new epidemic. This one is in the number of knee replacements? The numbers are astounding. During the period from 2000 to 2010 surgeons performed an estimated 5.2 million total knee replacements. And during the same period, the number of people getting total knees, both men and women, more than doubled.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates that by 2030, the number of total knee replacement surgeries will increase to nearly 3.5 million a year. Now I have nothing against knee replacement surgery. There are certainly many times when it can dramatically improve a person's quality of life. But many, if not most, of these procedures are not really necessary. And there are significant risks involved.
There is a one in fifty chance that blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, and nerve damage can complicate total knee replacement surgery. An additional 2% of patients can end up with the dreaded joint infection, which often causes severe pain, and requires multiple surgeries and the long-term use of antibiotics. And don't forget that many of these surgeries will require a second or even third knee replacement surgery to correct complications from the initial surgery. And finally, did you know that these surgeries don't always work out that well. An amazing 10-20% of patients who get a total knee surgery will still end up with chronic pain. So, is there another option?
Yes there is! I've told you before about how well Prolozone® therapy works for chronic knee pain from arthritis. In my experience, at least 50% and up to 80% of patients have complete pain relief from this simple and safe procedure that uses the power of ozone and vitamins to eliminate pain and regenerate damaged tissue. And you have to remember that almost every one of the patients I treat has already been told that they need knee replacement surgery. These are not your simple or benign cases. But there's more good news.
A new study shows an easy and inexpensive way to improve on these results. It's combining Prolozone with another common conventional therapy called hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as rooster comb injections, for knee arthritis are very common. Researchers recently took 75 men and women between the ages of 45-75 years with osteoarthritis of the knee. They divided the group into three. They gave group one group injections of hyaluronic acid into their knees. The second group had injections of ozone. The third group had both injections alternating over a five-week period. The doctors measured their pain levels before the treatments, right after the treatments, and two months after the treatments. Here's what they found.
All three groups improved, with decreased pain and symptoms scores, and increased activities of daily living and quality of life scores. But the combined group had significantly more improvement. And the greater improvement was especially noticeable at the two-month follow-up. Now, why am I not surprised?
It's because, as I've reported to you in the past, when ozone therapy is used with virtually every conventional therapy, the results are always better. So, if your doctor just told you that it's time to get that total knee replacement surgery that you have been dreading, do yourself a favor. Find a doctor who is trained in Prolozone. You can find one at www.aaot.us.
The odds are good that you won't need the surgery. And this study shows that if the doctor combines hyaluronic acid with Prolozone, you will get even better results.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD
Source:
Giombini A, et al. Comparison between intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid, oxygen ozone, and the combination of both in the treatment of knee osteoarthrosis. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2016 Apr-Jun.
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/surgery/knee-replacement/complications.aspx