McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
Knee Replacement Alternatives in Fort Myers: What to Try First
Your surgeon put the X-ray up and said "arthritis." Then the words "knee replacement" came out, and you stopped hearing the rest.
If you are looking for knee replacement alternatives in Fort Myers, here is the plain truth. A new knee is a good operation for the right person. It is also a big one. If your knee still holds you up and the pain is not running your life yet, there are real things to try first. SoftWave is one of them. We will tell you about the others too.
- 5.0 from 198 Google reviews
- Dr. Lee Angle, D.C.
- McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
Why do people want to avoid a knee replacement?
We hear the same reasons over and over:
- The recovery. Weeks on a walker or cane, and months of physical therapy.
- Fear of the operation itself, the anesthesia, or a blood clot.
- A spouse to care for, a job to keep, or a tee time they don't want to give up.
- A friend whose new knee still hurts.
- They just don't feel ready. The knee hurts, but it still works.
All of those are fair. None of them mean you should suffer. They mean it is worth knowing every option before you pick a date.
What does the research say helps knee arthritis without surgery?
The American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation wrote the main US guideline for knee arthritis in 2019. In plain words, it says:
Strongly recommended
Exercise, best done with a physical therapist or in a class. Weight loss, for anyone who is overweight. A cane, if it helps.
Strongly recommended against
PRP shots (platelet-rich plasma), stem cell shots, and glucosamine pills. The guideline's worry is that PRP and stem cell shots are made too many different ways to trust.
You can read the guideline summary. The college has since added newer advice that builds on it, so ask your doctor what has changed.
Cortisone shots can calm a flare. They wear off, and most doctors limit how many you get. Read our cortisone shot alternative page for more.
Where does SoftWave fit?
SoftWave sends sound waves into the tissue around the knee. SoftWave devices have FDA 510(k) clearance for some uses, such as improving blood supply and activating connective tissue (the tough bands that hold the joint together).
There is real research on shockwave for knee arthritis. A 2020 review in International Orthopaedics pooled 9 studies with 705 patients. People who got shockwave had less pain two weeks after treatment and again at six months than people in the comparison groups. The studies were small and used different machines, so we call it a good sign, not proof. You can read a summary of the review.
What SoftWave will not do: grow back cartilage, straighten a bowed leg, or make an X-ray look better.
Our position: if your knee still holds you up, SoftWave plus the exercise your physical therapist gives you is worth a real try before a replacement. It has no downtime, and it doesn't rule out surgery later.
Start with a $49 mapping session
- We find the spots that hurt
- A straight yes or no on SoftWave
- No pressure to buy a plan
- If it's not for you, you are out $49, not thousands
- 5.0 from 198 Google reviews
- Dr. Lee Angle, D.C.
- McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
What about genicular artery embolization (GAE)?
You may have read about GAE. A radiologist threads a thin tube through a blood vessel and blocks small vessels around the knee that seem to feed pain and swelling. It is done as an outpatient procedure.
The research is still mixed. Some studies show less pain for months. A review of trials that compared GAE with a fake procedure found only short-term pain relief, and one trial found no difference. If you are curious, ask an interventional radiologist. It is not something we offer.
When is a knee replacement the right call?
We would rather lose you to a good surgeon than keep you in pain. Think seriously about a replacement if:
- Your X-ray shows bone on bone and you have tried the steps above
- The knee gives way, locks, or is getting more bowed or knocked
- Pain wakes you most nights
- You have cut back on walking, driving or seeing friends because of it
If the mapping shows a knee like that, we will say so and send you back to your doctor.
What does a SoftWave visit for the knee feel like?
- Mapping. Matthew Mahoney moves the wand around the knee to find the spots that react.
- Treatment. Gel on the skin, then firm tapping for about 10 to 15 minutes. No needles.
- Back to your day. You walk out and drive home. Aftercare: Nothing special. You can drive home or go back to work right after.
Most people need 6 to 8 sessions, once a week. The first step is a $49 mapping. Plan price: $100 per session, or 6 sessions for $540 (that is $90 a session).
More on the knee itself: knee pain treatment in Fort Myers and arthritis pain relief. For every operation we cover, see alternatives to surgery in Fort Myers.
Who will I see?
Dr. Lee Angle, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic), runs Upper Cervical Health Centers on McGregor Blvd. He has a 5.0 rating from 198 Google reviews for all of his care. Matthew Mahoney runs the SoftWave sessions.
Patient Jeff came to us after a hip replacement. Read his story on our patient reviews page.
Common questions
Can SoftWave stop me from needing a knee replacement?
We can't promise that. SoftWave may ease pain in the tissue around the knee. It does not regrow cartilage. Some people put off a replacement for years, and some still need one.
Am I too far gone to try?
Maybe. If an X-ray shows bone on bone and the pain has taken over your days, a replacement may be the better choice. The mapping session helps us give you a straight answer.
What is genicular artery embolization?
A radiologist threads a thin tube through a blood vessel and blocks small vessels around the knee that are linked to pain. It is newer, and the research is mixed. It is not something we offer.
Do knee gel shots or PRP work?
The American College of Rheumatology's 2019 guideline strongly recommends against PRP for knee arthritis, mostly because the shots are not made the same way from clinic to clinic. Ask your doctor about gel shots for your knee.
Will exercise really help a knee with arthritis?
The American College of Rheumatology strongly recommends it, and says supervised programs, like physical therapy, tend to work better than exercising alone at home.
Not ready for a new knee?
Find out if SoftWave is worth trying first. Book your $49 mapping session, or call 239.243.8810. We are at 12651 McGregor Blvd Ste 102, Fort Myers, FL 33919. Get directions.
Call to book $49