More than 2.5 million people suffer from sports related knee injuries each year. Knee pain is one of the most common types of issues people in the U.S. suffer from today. A recently conducted study measured whether or not people suffering from knee pain can receive pain relief by working with a physical therapist in a virtual setting. Work with an experienced professional if you are experiencing knee pain such as the knee pain doctor Bethesda MD locals turn to.
Leading Factors to Knee Pain
- Knee pain due to obesity impacts 27 million Americans. This is largely due to added wear and tear and degeneration of cartilage that excess weight can put on the joints.
- Osteoarthritis is a knee condition that many knee pain sufferers experience. This is when the cartilage in the knee degenerates from the knee bones, wearing down the cartilage. As a result of this, bone spurs often can develop from the friction.
- Knee pain can cause serious issues for people, even making it difficult for people to walk.
- Osteoarthritis has no lasting solution because the body is not able to regenerate cartilage in the knee.
Can Pain Relief Really be Managed Virtually?
Because knee pain has become so prevalent, it has caught the attention of the medical profession. A recent study used the technology of the internet in hopes of providing relief from symptoms related to knee pain. 148 people impacted by osteoarthritis in the knee participated in an 8 week study conducted by the Annals of Internal Medicine. Participants were divided into two groups:
Group A: Group A participants were not given a virtual physical therapist. Instead, they were given education surrounding osteoarthritis via information on the internet. They were provided with information regarding:
- Exercises
- Diet
- Medication
- Physical Activities
Group B: With this group, the participants were given all of the same benefits as group A but also received an internet based program that was interactive and connected to knee pain management. Each session lasted anywhere from 30-45 minutes and included methods for pain and relaxation to help manage the pain. In addition to this a physical therapist aided in strengthening muscles and going over the exercises in a series of Skype sessions. Group B participants also received encouraging emails to support them in exercising.
Study Findings
Participants placed in Group B reported less pain and better knee functioning that those who did not receive the support of a physical therapist. Participants saw improvement for 6 months after the program ended. This type of physical therapy is different from a run of the mill physical therapy session in that the information is delivered to patients virtually. This could benefit people who are unable to consistently attend physical therapy sessions in person due to issues with transportation.
At times, physical therapy can be costly, and not everyone can receive free treatment through a research study. Contacting a personal injury attorney will be vital if you are suffering from an injury that was the result of another person’s negligence. Compensation from a personal injury lawsuit may allow you access to medical professionals for knee pain.
Thanks to authors at The Pain and Arthritis Center for their insight into Injury and Chiropractors.
