Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to protect the body from infections, injuries, and other harmful stimuli. It is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and loss of function. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can damage healthy tissues and cause various health problems, including joint pain and stiffness. In this essay, we will discuss the various factors that can cause inflammation in your knees, which is a common problem among people of all ages.
The knee joint is a complex structure that consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid. It allows us to walk, run, jump, and perform various activities of daily living. However, due to its frequent use and exposure to stress, the knee joint is prone to injuries, infections, and degenerative diseases that can trigger inflammation.
Common Causes of Knee Inflammation
Arthritis: Arthritis is a group of degenerative joint diseases that cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints. The most common types of arthritis that affect the knee joint are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage cushioning the joints wears away, leading to bone-on-bone contact and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the synovial membrane, leading to inflammation and damage to the joint tissues.
Injuries: Knee injuries are common among athletes, runners, and people who engage in high-impact activities. An injury to the knee joint can cause inflammation by damaging the ligaments, tendons, or cartilage. For example, a torn meniscus, a common sports injury, can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation in the knee joint.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on the knee joint, leading to wear and tear of the joint tissues. It also increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes inflammation and pain in the knee joint.
Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can cause knee inflammation by triggering an immune response. For example, septic arthritis is a bacterial infection of the knee joint that causes pain, swelling, and fever.
Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can cause sudden episodes of inflammation, pain, and swelling in the knee joint.
Allergies: Some people may develop an allergic reaction to certain foods, medications, or environmental factors that can cause knee inflammation. For example, a food allergy can cause an immune response that triggers inflammation in the knee joint.
Offering LLLT For Knee Inflammation In Your Practice
If you are a healthcare practitioner that has clients that are experiencing inflammation in their knees, low level laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that you can offer in your practice.
How LLLT Works For Knee Inflammation
- The laser energy enhances mitochondrial function, leading to increased ATP production, which stimulates cell metabolism and promotes tissue repair.
- LLLT activates cellular signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
- LLLT promotes vasodilation, improving blood flow to the affected area, which aids in reducing inflammation and facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
Effectiveness of LLLT For Treating Knee Inflammation
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials demonstrated that LLLT significantly reduces pain and improves knee function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, a common cause of knee inflammation. LLLT has also shown positive effects in reducing inflammation in other knee conditions, such as tendinitis and bursitis. LLLT has also been found to enhance the effectiveness of other treatment modalities, such as exercise therapy and medication, when used in combination.
If you are a healthcare professional that is interested in offering Low Level Laser Therapy to your patients and growing your practice by having the ability to treat several ailments in your practice, contact us today!
The benefits of LLLT for your practice:
- The ability to offer a cost effective alternative to surgery
- Non-invasive treatments
- Requires no downtime
- Devices are customizable to treat several ailments
- Devices have a user friendly graphical user interface
- Treatments are quick
- Easy to use
We offer the most advanced and effective low level laser therapy devices on the market today. We carry stand alone LLLT devices such as the Erchonia FX635 and FX405 and we also Erchonia Cordless Hand Held lasers, GVL, XLR8, EVRL, and the Erchonia Basestation.
Learn More About Our Hand Held Lasers
LLLT is versatile, non-invasive, safe, and highly effective. Learn more about how LLLT works.
Contact us today 1-800-657-6009 to learn more about how we can help you grow your business with the our Erchonia Pain Lasers today! We also have leasing options available.