Knee osteoarthritis affects as many as 39% of adults over the age of 30, with physiological changes characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, micro-fracturing, subchondral sclerosis, plate thickening, and exposure of articular bone surfaces. This condition impacts a significant portion of the population, either directly or indirectly. As the condition progresses, symptoms often include pain, morning stiffness or stiffness after rest, limited joint motion, nighttime pain, and joint deformation.
In 2005, the surgical costs for nearly 500,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) performed in the United States alone exceeded $11 billion. With the continued high prevalence of costly knee replacement surgeries and the degenerative nature of osteoarthritis, those seeking to delay or avoid surgical intervention face limited options.
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific areas of the body, such as muscles, tendons, or ligaments, to address pain and dysfunction. When combined with electrical stimulation, as in periosteal electrical dry needling, it can target deeper structures like the periosteum (the outer layer of bone). This approach helps modulate pain, promote circulation, and stimulate tissue healing. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is rooted in modern anatomy and evidence-based practice, making it a powerful tool for managing conditions like knee osteoarthritis.
The addition of periosteal electrical dry needling to treatment regimens for patients with painful knee osteoarthritis has been shown to provide significant benefits. A study by Dunning et al. in 2018 highlighted the effectiveness of this approach. Subsequent research has further explored dry needling as a stand-alone treatment, with promising results. This research involved a structured investigation of high-frequency dry needling treatments over an initial six-week period, followed by long-term maintenance treatments.
The study revealed that during the initial six weeks, participants experienced substantial reductions in pain, stiffness, and disability, along with decreased reliance on pain medications. Long-term maintenance, consisting of monthly treatments after the initial loading phase, yielded optimal outcomes. Participants not only maintained their improvements but showed continued progress in pain reduction and functionality over a 7.5-month period.
These findings have been translated into clinical practice, with many patients benefiting from dry needling as an effective treatment for managing painful knee osteoarthritis.
At Precision, the team remains dedicated to helping patients optimize or regain their active lifestyles. For those whose activities are limited by knee osteoarthritis, Precision offers personalized, evidence-based care to help restore pain-free movement and improve quality of life. The clinic's skilled practitioners use a comprehensive approach tailored to each individual's needs, combining techniques like dry needling with other therapies such as manual therapy, exercise programming, and movement retraining. Whether the goal is to walk without pain, return to sports, or simply enjoy day-to-day activities, the Precision team is committed to delivering effective solutions that empower patients to live life to the fullest.
