Do I Absolutely Need a Knee Replacement?

You’ve been experiencing knee pain for years.

You’ve tried all the standard treatments, and they’re not working anymore. Your doctor said it’s time for a knee replacement.

But you can’t help wondering: Do I absolutely need a knee replacement?

At Carolina Joint and Arthritis, we often find the answer to that question is no. Here’s why.

When do you need a knee replacement?

Unless you’ve experienced a major injury, if you’ve been told a knee replacement is your only option, you’re likely dealing with arthritis, a progressive disease that gets worse over time. You’ve probably had cortisone injections, taken anti-inflammatory medications, and even done physical therapy, but those treatments eventually stopped working.

You’re still in pain, so your doctor says the only way to stop the agony and get back to normal is a full knee replacement. You probably think you really have tried all other options, so you’re resigned to the surgery, just like 1.3 million Americans each year.

What are the alternatives?

But, wait. Dr. Austin Yeargan, an expert in the field of orthobiologics, has spent years developing alternative knee replacement treatments based on the concept of regenerating new cartilage and bone by harnessing your body’s natural healing power. As a result, his patients experience less pain and improved range of motion, and they can often avoid or postpone knee replacement for at least five years.

With platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, Dr. Yeargan takes a sample of your blood and spins it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets with growth factors, which he then injects back into your knee. There, they jump-start your body’s healing process.

He has also developed a procedure called autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (ABMAC), in which he removes a bone marrow sample from your hip,  extracts stem cells with growth factors and anti-inflammatory proteins, and injects them into your knee to begin the healing process.

NAMAD, or Nanoplasty® and Mechanical Axis Deviation Procedure, transforms PRP and ABMAC into an even more effective treatment by injecting signaling cells from your bone marrow along with PRP and proteins into the bone underneath your damaged knee cartilage. This starts the process of generating new cartilage to provide the cushioning and shock absorption you’ve been missing.

What should I do?

If you’re interested in alternative treatments for knee replacement, your best move is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yeargan. You can call our Wilmington, North Carolina, office or book an appointment online.

For the many patients who have seen Dr. Yeargan, these alternative treatments have meant they didn’t have to undergo a knee replacement or were able to wait years before having one. Let us help you give these treatments a try!