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“A Joint Effort”

Louisiana Pain Specialists Blog “A Joint Effort”
“A Joint Effort”

Collaborative Care Improves Pain Control For Knee Pain

Joint Effort

Dr. Russell Russo is an orthopedic surgeon in New Orleans who is fellowship trained in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Russell Russo is committed to providing the latest operative and non-operative treatments for all your orthopedic problems.

Q: WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF KNEE PAIN?
The most common cause is osteoarthritis (“wear and tear”). Another common cause is meniscus tearing that can arise and cause point tenderness along the joint line. Finally, another cause of acute pain can be knee sprains and muscle strains. A simple X-ray can usually delineate the cause.

Q: WHAT EXERCISES AND THERAPIES CAN HELP RELIEVE KNEE PAIN?
Although it isn’t easy, weight loss and physical therapy can always help. Newer modalities such as ultrasound,laser, and dry needling treatments have been successful in treating knee arthritis. Strengthening the muscles round the knee can help take pressure off the knee joint. If medications, activity modifications, and therapy fail, we can always perform joint injections as well such as cortisone, viscosupplementation, or even PRP or so-called “stem cell treatments.”

 

Q: HOW DOES KNEE PAIN OCCUR?
Knee pain can be from a trauma such as a car accident or a sports injury but also can occur from age and overuse as well.

Q: AS AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, WHEN DO YOU FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO PERFORM A SURGICAL INTERVENTION FOR YOUR PATIENTS?
For someone who has an acute injury that causes a tear of the cartilage or meniscus, a simple scope surgery is sometimes indicated to prevent locking and catching within the knee. For those patients with osteoarthritis, we exhaust all non-operative modalities before considering knee replacement. This consists of different types of injections and the newer alternative treatments such as cryoneuroablation of the nerves and geniculate blocks that can be performed by the excellent physicians at Louisiana Pain.

Q: WHEN IT COMES TO HIP, ELBOW, WRIST, AND ADDITIONAL JOINTS, DO YOU FIND SIMILARITIES IN THE WAY YOU APPROACH TREATMENT FOR JOINT-RELATED PAIN?
Unlike the knee and hip, the shoulder, elbow, and wrist do much better with therapy and injections. Since we do not walk on our upper limbs, arthritis and injuries tend to fare better with non-operative options. Some injuries to these joints that do no improve sometimes simply due to misdiagnosis. Injuries and arthritis to the shoulder is commonly diagnosed, however on further evaluation there may be pinched nerves in the neck or back causing these pains. This can be alleviated with medications and alternative injections.

Q: WHAT’S THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU GIVE TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, & PATIENTS TO PREVENT KNEE & JOINT PAIN?
The best piece of advice would be prevention. Stay at a healthy weight, continue to stretch and stay active. Never wait too late to see a well-qualified physician if your pain persists.

Q: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF TEAMING UP WITH A PAIN PHYSICIAN TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH ONGOING JOINT-RELATED PAIN?
Working with the physicians at Louisiana Pain have opened several doors for my patients to explore nonoperative options to control pain and symptoms. Brand new techniques not well known by most orthopedics are available at all of the Louisiana Pain clinics. Nerve blocks, ablative procedures, and new medications can help keep patients opioid free and keep patients away from surgery. I can personally attest to the relationship as Dr. Jolly has seen multiple members of family with resounding success.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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