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Dr. Mercola
January 05 2008
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Exercise as Good as Surgery for Knee Pain

knee, pain, surgery, exerciseAn exercise regime is as effective as surgery for people with a chronic pain in the front part of their knee, known as chronic patellofemoral syndrome (PFPS).

PFPS is often treated with arthroscopic surgery, in which equipment is inserted through small incisions in your knee to diagnose and fix the problem. However, there is little evidence that this treatment is the best option.

The study, conducted by researchers at The ORTON Research Institute in Helsinki, Finland, compared arthroscopy with exercise in 56 patients with PFPS.

One group of participants was treated with knee arthroscopy and an eight-week home exercise program, while a second group received only the exercise program.

After nine months, patients in both groups experienced similar reductions in pain and improvements in knee mobility. A follow-up conducted two years later still found no differences in outcomes between the two groups.

The only difference discovered was in cost: those who had received the surgery had to pay over $1,300 more than the exercise-only group.

The researchers concluded that arthroscopy is not a cost-effective treatment for PFPS.

Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Arthroscopic surgery is performed on about 650,000 people in the United States every year, at a cost of about $5,000 per procedure.

Well, that’s $5,000, and a lot of unnecessary recovery time, wasted because this surgery has been proven time and time again to work no better than a placebo.

While this may seem like a shocking statement, it was published in one of the most well-respected medical journals on the planet and was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial performed at some of the top U.S. hospitals.

This was, without question, one of the most amazing studies I have ever seen published, as it definitely proves the power of your mind in healing.

The home-based exercise program used in the study above also likely provided some relief of the symptoms, but when it comes to pain, your mind has an ability to heal you.

Folks, the placebo effect is REAL.

And when I say that, I mean that if you believe you will benefit from something, you will. And the more you focus your intention on this, the more you’ll find that you can manifest nearly any result you desire.

But there is one caveat: you must resolve any emotional blocks that are standing in your way first.

In the case of knee pain, this could be disbelief that the pain will go away, resentment that you have the pain, or even an unconscious desire to keep the pain because of the extra attention you gain from it.

As Bruce Lipton, PhD., a forerunner in the field of epigenetics and The New Biology, said in my recent interview with him:

“A lot of people use the energy psychology just like a drug. ‘Oh, you’ve got a pain here. If I do this, you can get rid of the pain.’ But here’s the problem. A symptom is not generally the problem. A symptom is a reflection of a problem.”

So the pain in your knee (or any location) is not what you should focus on relieving. Instead, you must get to the root of the problem, which started in your mind. If you simply relieve your knee pain without addressing the related emotional conflict, your body will manifest another ache, pain or illness to tell you that there’s a problem with your system.

This is a new way of thinking about healing for most people. But if you look at it in terms of energy -- pain is energy, and your mind is also energy -- you can see how one directly influences the other.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an extremely powerful tool that you can use to get to the root of your emotional conflicts, and to release them.

EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for over 5,000 years, but without the invasiveness of needles. Instead, simple tapping with the fingertips is used to input kinetic energy onto specific meridians on your head and chest while you think about your specific problem -- whether it is a traumatic event, an addiction, pain, etc. -- and voice positive affirmations.

I highly suggest that you explore this healing modality for yourself, and if you have an especially traumatic, complex or deep-seated emotional challenge to overcome that you find an EFT therapist to guide you.
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Community Comments ( 47 )
 		Comment on this Article
  
  
foxtroter_203
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on December 13, 2007 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User

Remember orthopedic surgeons are surgeons. They are trained in surgery. They often are not trained in how to treat orthopedic conditions conservatively.

Don't get me wrong, I am very pleased with the talents of many surgeons.  A few years ago I did something stupid and amputated my thumb.  I am thankful for skilled surgeons that know how to replant thumbs after fools cut them off.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
EQ
 [ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on December 15, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Yes!  There is a great application of allopathic medicine.  I am so glad for you that you had a good surgeon.
  
  
Allen K
 [ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on January 3, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I was in a car accident several years ago and injured my knee.  An MRI revealed that I had a meniscus problem and my doctor recommended surgery.  I refused, joined a gym and did bicycle exercises and used all the various leg machines with reps in the range of 10 to 12 per exercise.  After a couple of years, my knee healed completely.  Exercise and physical therapy can do wonders if you practice regularly with a lot of patience.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
MPC
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on January 3, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be reviewed with great caution.

If you're having a pain near, in or around a joint then your body is trying to get your attention.

Too many "professionals" attempt to treat the symptom with medication and/or surgery.

Where the pain is, is usually NOT where the real problem is.

Carpel tunnel syndrome is a pain in the wrist. The problem is more likely in the shoulder, not the wrist so surgery on the wrist does NOT solve the problem.

Pete Egoscue is "THE" master at finding and solving physical problems.

www.egoscue.com   Pete is an anatomical functionalist not an MD or chiropractor.

He has 38+ years experience treating all kinds of people up to and including pro golfing champion, Jack Nicholas.

HE WILL SHOW “YOU” HOW TO FIND AND FIX whatever is ailing you. His latest book, "Pain Free," is a marvel in simplicity.

For everyone that exercises I would take a look at what Pete is doing. He is the final nail in the physical ability / fitness coffin. Without what he does you WILL wind up unable to move later in life.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
trossman
 [ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I must emphatically agree with MPC's post regarding Pete Egoscue. His book very literally saved my life. In 2004 I had what I later learned was Sciatica which manifested in disabling pain in the side of my knee. I went to my HMO and was advised to take ibeprophine and stay off it. This continued for 6 months until we were getting ready to go to Hawaii for our 20th anniversary. A monthe before the trip I noticed pain hottness and swelling in my calf and got checked for a blood clot. They did not find anything so off I went for "the time of my life" after a week in paradise I sustained a blood clot in my leg and a PE (blood clot to the lung) and came as close as you would like to dying.

Long story short, after everything that transpired with the clot I still had the knee pain. Pete Egoscue's book "Pain Free" and my chiropractor were able to put me back in the game inside of 6 weeks. Needless to say, conventional medicine left me with more problems than I came in with and I will want to go cautiosly in that direction in the future.
Mercola
  
Knobby
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 5, 2008]
       
   
This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be reviewed with great caution.
  Mercola

MPC...you stated, "Carpel tunnel syndrome is a pain in the wrist. The problem is more likely in the shoulder, not the wrist so surgery on the wrist does NOT solve the problem."

It did for my wife. At least 5 years ago she had surgery for her Carpel Tunnel. She has had no pain in her wrist from that time to this day.
  
  
KateV
 [ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on January 2, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I am a Physical Therapist, and commonly treat PFPS. I have never heard of anyone having arthroscopic knee surgery for this problem alone, if they do, it is probably because they have other joint derangement (arthritis, torn meniscus, etc) that need debridement. It is common knowledge among PTs and anyone who has had PFPS that strengthening the VMO part of the quad and mobilizing the patella, including stretching the Iliotibial band (ITB) are proven remedies. If your patella (kneecap) is chronically dislocating, or "popping out" and your chiropractor is just replacing it, you need to do exercises to stabilize that or it is going to be a major problem in the future. It is a very treatable condition that should NOT be chronic. Thank you.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Russ Bianchi
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on December 13, 2007 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Preventative Protocols Remain Vastly Superior In Positive Results, At Lower Economic Or Physical Cost, Than Reactive, Evasive Procedures Or Drug Regiments.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
svsiemers
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 3, 2008 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Novice User

One knee bothers me from time to time - this is the third time over a period of years.  The first time, the doctor believed that it could be a piece of cartilage that was floating.  The day the MRI was scheduled, I woke up with absolutely no pain for the first time in months.

The second time, I was on crutches for a couple of weeks, and that seemed to relieve it.  That was a year and a half ago.  Now it is hurting again.  I have moved and have another doctor, an osteopath, and he too thinks there might be cartilage floating in there.  He will do an MRI this time if the pain persists.

So my question is, how is exercise going to help a piece of floating cartilage?  In fact, exercise is the WORST thing for it.  I find I cannot even do some of the steps in Tai Chi without some pain, especially when the leg turns out.

Has anyone had floating cartilage removed?

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Spiritlight
 [ Joined on 12/07 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I agree! I came here to read the article in hopes of learning some good knee exercises to rehabilitate my knee. Instead, I read that "exercises are more beneficial than surgery" --- great, so what are they?

Guess I'll have to go out and buy a book or something.
Mercola
  
ruarck
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

This is a link to the exercises used in the study.

www.biomedcentral.com/.../supp1.pdf
Mercola
  
Dr Rik
[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

I blasted my knee out in the 80s (martial arts). Rehab held me together until the 90s. I got arthroscopic surgery to remove the ruined cartilage and graft in a new ACL. Worked great. Sounds like the surgery might work for you.

The way to Fix the Problem is Find the Problem. I don't know why people get so distracted. It has nothing to do with your profession or degree or technique. The diagnosis is the same, and the best solution is probably the same.

An arthroscope is just a tool. It is not a surgical procedure. The relevant question is "what surgical procedure will be performed with the arthroscope and how will that fix the problem". And of course, is surgery even a good idea? There is no surgical procedure that effectively addresses the joint, muscle, ligament, cartilage or tendinous component of PFS so why would ANYONE expect it to work? You need research for this?

A great attitude is good but placebo is irrelevant. Fix the problem or refer to someone who can. Unfortunately, I guess it is hard to find competent ethical doctors who can actually figure it out or will refer you to someone who can.
Mercola
  
hikingchild
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Yes, I had floating cartiledge removed -- actually, it was likely a chip from a knee break sustained when I was 9.  I had anthroscopic surgery wherin the floating "whatever" was scooped up and removed. I recovered well and had a lot of PT exercises.  My knee works fine now.

Mercola
  
Faithful1
 [ Joined on 05/07 ]  [ Posted on January 3, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Svsiemers,

I had a torn meniscus and had the surgery to repair.  Not at 100 percent but my knee does not swell and look like I have elephantitis any more.  I can dance as much as I like and it will only be slightly stiff for a few hours the next day.  VAST IMPROVEMENT.  But as I've discovered, like many who post here, you really have to be careful about doctors.  They will try to get you to do things that are truly not necessary.  That surgery, however, did help.
Mercola
  
Pat 444
 [ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on January 4, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

I don't thimk your doctor is sure that you have a floating cartilage. That's inflammation which will heal with time. I was told the same, but I put some hot compresses, 5-10 minutes with transparent gasoline, once a week, and it healed. Also I wore a knee support, tightened on measure.
  
  
Sam J
 [ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on December 15, 2007 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Novice User
Another thing that could help this condition of the knee, would be to avoid foods which cause inflammation, like Bread/Pasta (Gluten) Cows Milk (Casein) Milk Chocolate (Casein, Soya) Cereals (Gluten, Corn)

Cutting these out for a few days will show drastic improvement as they are the staple of the United Kingdoms/United States of Americas diet.

Also a good supplement like Condotrin/Glucosamine & Cod Liver Oil Tablets would vastly improve the condition, just some ideas I suppose.


 [ Reply ]
  
  
mmc88121
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on December 13, 2007 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
I occasionally "pop" my patella out of place.  My chiropractor has no problems putting in back in and I am not in pain any longer.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola