Bone-on-bone knee pain occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning the joint breaks down. This is due to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, which affects millions of people worldwide.
In fact, knee and hip osteoarthritis were ranked as the 11th highest contributor to global disability. knee osteoarthritis is estimated to affect nearly 4 per cent of the population. In Canada, from 2019 to 2020, an average hip or knee replacement surgery had an estimated inpatient cost of approximately $10,500, totalling more than $1.4 billion annually.
Fortunately, shockwave therapy is proven to offer bone-on-bone knee pain relief without surgery or drugs.
Bone-on-Bone Knee Pain Relief Using Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy delivers strong energy pulses to a targeted area over short periods of time. These acoustic pressure waves enhance blood flood and metabolism, stimulating cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.
Shockwave therapy can thus treat conditions like knee osteoarthritis without the need for surgery or drugs. This is advantageous because recovery following invasive procedures like arthroscopy, cartilage repair, osteotomy, and knee arthroplasty can take weeks to months. Moreover, the effectiveness of drugs in the medium and long term is controversial, carrying the risk of side effects.
Clinical Evidence
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journey of Surgery examined the safety and efficacy of shockwave therapy for reducing pain and improving mobility in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Researchers used pain reduction as the main outcome measurement as reported on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Range of motion (ROM) and walking tests constituted secondary outcome measures. While the inverse variance method and the random effects model were used for quantitative analysis.
In total, 14 studies were analyzed, including 782 patients and 877 knees. Researchers found evidence that shockwave therapy reduced pain according to VAS and WOMAC. They also found evidence that shockwave therapy caused moderate improvement in the knee ROM and walking test.
Researchers concluded that shockwave therapy is “an effective treatment for improving pain and functionality in patients with [knee osteoarthritis]…with few minor side effects.”
A Technology That Changes Lives
If you would like to offer your patients bone-on-bone knee pain relief without surgery or drugs, Shockwave Canada has the technology you need. Our devices help patients achieve better results while making practitioners more competitive. In addition to osteoarthritis, shockwave therapy can help treat tendinopathies, fractures, trigger points, and more.
Call 1-866-596-4049 or visit our website to learn more about integrating this technology into your practice.
