Knee Centers

The Role of Diabetes in Knee Pain and How a Knee Specialist Can Help

According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million people in the United States currently suffer from diabetes. The majority of these cases involve type II diabetes, a condition that develops when the body loses its ability to produce the insulin hormone. Lower insulin levels leads to high levels of glucose in the blood and can cause an individual to develop a number of painful medical conditions. Read on to learn the role diabetes plays in knee pain:

Damaged nerves throughout the body Individuals who suffer from diabetes have difficulty producing the insulin needed to break down glucose in their blood. Without insulin, the blood glucose level will rise to a point that can damage the small blood vessels throughout the body. This damage inhibits the blood vessels’ ability to provide the body’s nerves with nutrients and oxygen. Without proper nutrients and oxygen, the nerves are no longer able to send signals throughout the body, including the knee area.

Pain, tingling, and numbness in knee Nerves communicate the sensations of pain, cold, and warmth that an individual typically experiences in response to different stimuli. These sensations give a person the ability to interact safely with his or her surrounding environment. When diabetes damages nerves in the knee, an individual may begin to experience symptoms of numbness, tingling, or sharp pain.

Limited knee movement If an individual’s knee becomes numb, it can cause muscle weakness and compromised reflexes. This makes it very difficult for a person to balance and walk properly. Many individuals who suffer from diabetes find that their knees weaken and collapse when they try to sit or stand. 

Knee Centers of Newport Beach and South Bay provides patients with customized care for managing knee pain caused by diabetes. Our staff of medical professionals screens all patients to determine which pain management options are best suited for their age, fitness, and medical condition. To schedule a free consultation, call (385) 282-6974. 

Know the Facts About Diabetic Neuropathy

Your body is filled with a series of nerves that send important signals to your brain. These signals tell your brain when something in your environment is causing harm to your body.

If you no longer experience common sensations such as pain, warmth, and cold, you may be suffering from diabetic neuropathy. As this video explains, diabetic neuropathy is a condition where high levels of blood glucose make it difficult for your nerves to send these important signals throughout your body. Learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this dangerous condition can help you avoid further complications.

Because nerve damage can cause you to lose sensation and mobility in your knees, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a medical professional at the first signs of diabetic neuropathy. Call (385) 282-6974 to schedule a free consultation with the medical professionals of Knee Centers in Newport Beach.

The Benefits of Ultrasound Guidance for Knee Injection Therapies

Ultrasound is a versatile medical diagnostic that can help your physician understand what’s going on inside your body and treat various ailments. Injection therapy is a common treatment that delivers fast relief from pain. Guiding injection therapy with ultrasound ensures that medication is delivered where it is needed most. Here are a few of the benefits of ultrasound guidance when it comes to knee injection therapy:

Improved Accuracy Ultrasound’s greatest benefit is that it gives your physician the ability to visualize the inside of your joint. This allows your physician to identify weak joints in your body and then deliver accurate and effective treatment. It also eliminates the chances of side effects that occur when the treatment is injected in the wrong place. With the help of ultrasound, you can be sure that the medication will do the most good and provide the fastest pain relief.

Reduction of Associated Risks Ultrasound-guided injection therapy is safe and reduces some of the risks associated with unguided knee injections. If you have a slightly abnormal joint, are taking blood thinners, or have other potential complications, ultrasound can increase the chances of a successful procedure. Ultrasound guidance also allows your doctor to use smaller needles and in some cases a reduced amount of medication to achieve the same results. During any injection therapy, there is a small risk of infection within the joint as a result of bacterial transfer from the needle. Additionally, multiple injections over time can cause damage to the ligaments of the joint. The use of smaller needles in therapies guided by ultrasound, however, carry a reduced risk of infection or damage to the knee tissues.

At Knee Centers of Newport Beach, we offer state-of-the-art treatments for knee pain including ultrasound-guided steroid injections. Call (385) 282-6974 to discuss your treatment options or to schedule a consultation with our specialists. Find out even more about knee health and osteoarthritis treatments by browsing our website.

How You Can Benefit From a Custom Knee Brace from an Orthonics Physician

A knee brace alleviates pain by taking pressure off an individual’s injured joints. This device works best when its straps are strategically placed in certain locations on the thigh and shin. Only a custom-fit knee brace is designed to ensure that these straps will sit in the appropriate locations to alleviate this pressure. Keep reading to learn why custom-fit knee braces are superior to their pre-made counterparts:

Alleviating knee pain The Össur UNLOADER Brace is the most advanced custom bracing solution available to orthotics patients today. After close examination of a patient’s knee pain and body size, a physician can order a custom Össur brace that will provide key support to certain portions of the knee. This support takes pressure off of the knee and allows the patient to immediately feel relief from his or her pain. Pre-made knee braces, on the other hand, cannot provide this same level of support.

Repairing knee damage Because the Össur brace is designed with custom straps that keep a patient’s knee properly aligned, it allows the knee to begin healing. It also controls the patient’s movement so that his or her regular leg motions won’t cause any further damage to the area. Unlike generic knee braces, this custom fit device is specifically designed to support a patient’s unique knee condition and enable the healing of specific damaged structures.

Returning to normal activities Many patients are able to begin exercising almost immediately after they secure their custom-made brace on their knee. Because the device takes pressure off of the damaged knee joints, patients can enjoy activities such as golf, biking, and walking without fear of knee pain.

To learn how a custom-designed Össur UNLOADER brace can help you relieve your knee pain and begin the healing process, call Knee Centers at (949) 391-4315. We are a medical therapy network in Newport Beach and South Bay that’s dedicated to providing our patients with the most advanced treatments and pain management.

If You Have Knee Pain, Call Knee Centers and Read up on These Resources

Knee pain can affect your ability to function and your enjoyment of everyday life. Luckily, many treatment options exist to manage and eliminate knee pain and swelling. Take a look at the following resources to find out more:

• Learn more about how ultrasound aids the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, at the Mayo Clinic’s website.
• How can you take better care of your knees and hips? Read this New York Times article to find out.
• Get more information on cortisone injections and their possible side effects at SportsMed.org.
• Learn how ultrasound works to provide your physician with an internal view of your joints in this article from AKWMedical.com.

Knee Centers of South Bay and Newport Beach offers state-of-the-art treatment for osteoarthritis and other knee conditions. Our doctors are dedicated to finding the right therapy to suit your needs and enhance your quality of life. Call us today at (949) 391-4315 or visit our website to learn more about the health of your knees.