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Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services Oak Park IL 708-848-7789

The Patella (Knee Cap)
When there is a problem with this part of the knee it manifests as pain in the front of the knee after strong exertion (running, walking, or stair climbing.) This may be due to erosion of the cartilage on the under side of the patella, poor tracking of the patella in its groove on the front of the knee, or an inflamed tendon on the lower edge of the patella.
 

The patella is covered on its back side with the thickest layer of articular cartilage of all the joints in the body. Erosion of this cartilage is called "chondromalacia patellae." On x-ray it is seen as a decrease in the amount of cartilage underneath the kneecap. It may be caused by trauma or occur spontaneously. If the patella is fractured, pain may still persist after the fracture heals. Prolotherapy is excellent at relieving all of these pains.

Prolotherapy helps chondromalacia patellae or patellar tracking problems because the pain-producing structure is generally the patellar tendon or the musculoskeletal support around the patella. Prolotherapy for chondromalacia involves intra-articular (inside) injections as well as injections on the outside of the knee, stimulating the growth of many musculoskeletal structures around the patella. It is for this reason the knee gets stronger and the pain of chondromalacia is relieved.
 

Patellar Tendonitis
Another common condition is patellar tendonitis, which can occur at the sides, the top, or the bottom of the patella. It commonly occurs in athletes who do a lot of jumping, such as basketball players, volleyball players, and ballet dancers. This is why it is also known as "jumper's knee." By injecting the appropriate site with Prolotherapy, these injuries are effectively and permanently treated and the pain is relieved. This is because Prolotherapy helps strengthen the patellar tendon (though some would call this the patellar ligament since it goes between two bones, the patella and the tibia). While Prolotherapy causes a strengthening of the patellar tendon, cortisone and its related anti-inflammatories, weaken it. For this reason patients should avoid cortisone injections into the patellar tendon because of the risk of it weakening and thus leading to rupture of the tendon. This occurs because cortisone weakens the ligament/tendon-bone junction. Cortisone and the other anti-inflammatories have a lot of other bad effects.
 

Do Not Be Desperate for Surgery or Scopes
Patients with pain often succumb to surgical procedures, even drastic ones. A good example of drastic surgery is the recommendation to surgically remove the patella in order to remove the pain. This sometimes does relieve the pain, but at a significant cost to the body. The strength to extend the knee is reduced by about 30 percent, and the force exerted in the knee is increased. There are a host of other risks associated with surgery. The athlete must realize that with each procedure and each shaving or cutting of tissue, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) prescription, or cortisone shot, the odds of developing long-term arthritis are greatly increased. The key to keeping the knee strong is to stimulate the area to heal, not to cover up the pain with a cortisone shot or NSAID. Even worse is to eliminate the painful area by shaving or cutting. This just delays the pain for a few years until the remaining tissue becomes degenerated. The best approach is to stimulate the area to heal. The best way to do that is with Prolotherapy.
 

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Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services
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Ross Hauser, M.D.
Dr. Hauser received his M.D. from the University of Illinois, Chicago; completed his residency at Loyola-Hines VA-Marianjoy Hospitals in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Hauser is the Medical Director and co-founder of the physician-run, comprehensive natural medicine clinic, Caring Medical & Rehabilitation Services in Oak Park, Illinois. Dr. Hauser is one of the leading experts in the treatment of chronic pain and sports injuries with Prolotherapy. He, along with his wife Marion, have written seven books on the topic of Prolotherapy, a comprehensive book on the natural medicine approach to cancer, as well as a myriad of articles and newsletters for the general public. Read more
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POWER OVER PAIN THE CARE OF THE PATIENT BEGINS WITH CARING © 1999-2008 Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services, 715 Lake Street Suite 600 Oak Park, IL 60301 708-848-7789

The information on this website is presented as information only and not a self-help guide NOR AS SPECIFIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS. Never alter or change your health management or begin any new health plans without first consulting your personal health care provider. Some statements on this site regarding the value of nutritional supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

As with any medical technique, Prolotherapy may not be effective for every individual and there are risks involved, these risks should be discussed with your physician. Results achieved with some may not be typical of all. Please consult a physician. Please read Prolotherapy Risks

There is no known cure for arthritis. Prolotherapy and nutritional supplements can help alleviate, reverse, or end arthritic pain by treating an underlying cause that contributes to degenerative disease, ligament laxity. Strengthening ligaments and other connective tissue can help prevent bone on bone arthritis from developing.

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