Partial knee menisectomy is a very common surgery that involves removing the torn part of the meniscus. The meniscus is a natural shock absorber for the knee. In fact, in America alone, we perform about 700,000 of these surgeries per year, making it one of the most common orthopedic surgeries. While most patients think they’re getting a meniscus repair procedure, the truth is, 96% of these surgeries just remove a piece of the shock absorber, leaving your knee less protected.
There have been many high-quality research studies over the past decade or more that were designed to answer the specific question, “Is surgery necessary for a torn meniscus?” What did they show? All three large studies showed that meniscus surgery was not effective or no better than just physical therapy.
We offer innovative non-surgical procedures that may help decrease pain and improve knee function and mobility without the need for surgery.
Meniscus surgery is traumatic and carries associated risks. Even successful surgeries require months of painful rehab to regain strength and mobility. After surgery, most patients will be on crutches, wear a brace, or some combination of both for several weeks before returning back to normal activity. The recovery time and rehabilitation period may be extended up to six weeks with a knee brace or crutches.
Keep in mind that there may even be some complications associated with meniscus surgery, prolonging the recovery period even more. This includes complications with anesthesia, such as respiratory or cardiac malfunction, infections, and injury to nerves and blood vessels, fracture, weakness, stiffness or instability of the joint, inability to repair the meniscus, repeated rupture of the meniscus, or the need for additional surgeries.
Can you ever truly recover from parts of your knee meniscus being removed surgically? In the long run, almost all meniscus surgeries accelerate degeneration that leads to osteoarthritis and exacerbate the biomechanical problems that initially led to the need for the surgery.
Meniscus tears are like wrinkles; they are unavoidable. Some of us get more of them at a young age and some of us don’t get a lot of them until we’re older. The meniscus gets small tears as we age and as the knee joint begins to wear out. For example, in middle-aged and elderly patients, taking an MRI of patients with no knee pain and those with ongoing knee pain will reveal that both groups have about the same amount of meniscus tears. If these things usually don’t cause pain, why are we operating on them? If our surgeries are no better than fake surgeries, why are we placing all of these patients at the risk of surgical complications?
Recent research shows that some of the most popular orthopedic knee surgeries, including meniscectomies, have no benefit and are not more effective than placebo or sham surgery. But can a meniscus tear heal on its own when left untreated? Non-surgical treatments for meniscus tears for healing on their own include physical therapy, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Interventional orthopedics also provides a non-surgical injection alternative that may prove beneficial in reducing pain and improving function.
Have you been told that invasive surgery is your only option to fix your torn ACL? Getting your ACL replaced permanently alters the mechanics of the knee joint. You have other options when it comes to treating your ACL injury. In fact, about 70% of all ACL tears that currently get surgery could have been treated with a precise injection.
Your body is built to repair itself and our goal is to save your ACL, not replace it. We offer a non-surgical alternative for ACL tears that requires advanced injection skills using X-ray guidance, which may aide the healing of your ACL tear, while reducing pain and increasing function.
A physiatrist with vast experience in Sports Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, Dr. Dade approaches pain by evaluating the whole person, not just the source of pain. Understanding and respecting the symbiotic relationship between all systems within the human body, his all-inclusive approach to care is highly effective in alleviating pain. He diagnoses a variety of musculoskeletal conditions with precision and develops comprehensive treatment plans.
In addition to being adept at conventional interventional techniques, Dr. Dade is highly skilled in Regenerative therapies. He has been at the forefront of Prolotherapy treatment for over twenty years. His expertise in Prolotherapy treatment led to his involvement with the innovative treatments of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Concentrate.
A respected leader in his field, Dr. Dade had been recognized by his peers in WASHINGTONIAN Magazine’s Top Doctors. He is a past recipient of the Congressional National Leadership Award for achievements in the medical community. His expertise has led to numerous lectures and publications on a variety of rehabilitation and pain management topics.
Areas treated: Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine
Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Friedlis is one of few physicians in the Washington DC metropolitan area trained to perform Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and is one of the first doctors in the area to use Bone Marrow Concentrate for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. His innovation and expertise has established Dr. Friedlis as the foremost practitioner of Regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal injuries in the Washington, DC area. Dr. Friedlis joined the Regenexx Network in 2012 and is one of its earliest affiliates Dr. Friedlis currently serves as Past President of the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine and is chairman of their educational committee. Nationally recognized as an expert in pain, Dr. Friedlis is a frequent speaker at national conferences on Regenerative Therapies. Dr. Friedlis earned his medical degree from Wayne State University and was selected Chief Resident during his residency at Sinai Hospital in Detroit and is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management and the National Board of Medical Examiners. An advocate for global stewardship, Dr. Friedlis coordinated medical mission trips to Central Mexico in 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012 that were sponsored by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine and provided much needed pain management services to poor, rural communities. In 2011, he served as Program Director for a new medical outreach program that brought then nonexistent pain management services to Lima, Peru.
Areas treated: Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine
A native of Northern Virginia, Dr. Wagner returned to the area after completing his medical training throughout the state of Virginia. He joined National Spine & Pain Centers in 1999, and soon became well known among his colleagues and patients as a talented and knowledgeable pain specialist. His skills in advanced, non-surgical techniques have helped countless patients resolve complex pain issues and return to healthy lives.
Dr. Wagner specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries of the spine, joints, tendons, nerves and ligaments by utilizing injection techniques. He also has years of experience treating acute and chronic injuries with Bone Marrow Concentrate, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Prolotherapy. He has lectured and mentored clinicians nationally on these innovative techniques and their application for healing chronic pain conditions.
Dr. Wagner feels that finding the definitive source of pain is critical to long term recovery. He combines years of clinical experience with the latest medical technology to ensure the best possible outcome for each individual. He performs diagnostic and therapeutic injections under ultrasound and fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to maximize the accuracy and therapeutic benefit of each injection performed.
Well respected within his field, Dr. Wagner is frequently asked to share his expertise through speaking and instructional venues including the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine. He has developed workshops on injection techniques for the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the American Academy of Family Practitioners. He also appeared as a featured WebMD lecturer for low back pain and has published articles relating to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition, Dr. Wagner received the Physician’s Recognition Award from the American Medical Association for his commitment to continuing medical education.
Dr. Wagner is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and he maintains several active memberships including the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine.
Areas treated: Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine
Double board-certified in Sports and Family Medicine, Dr. Newton’s professional passion includes regenerative medicine and interventional orthopedics. Dr. Newton holds additional training certificates in musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy. This training is essential to the precision required for Bone Marrow Concentrate, Platelet, and Prolotherapy procedures. Dr. Newton is frequently asked to share his knowledge and expertise by instructing musculoskeletal imaging courses. Throughout his regenerative medicine career, Dr. Newton has had the opportunity to treat patients of all activity levels, from all over the world. He looks forward to helping each patient by providing an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
As a sports medicine fellow in Cincinnati, Dr. Newton was able to evaluate and treat professional and elite level athletes, including athletes at Division I and III colleges and multiple high schools. During this same fellowship, Dr. Newton spent time at spring training in Arizona with the Cincinnati Reds, as well as home games in Cincinnati. He completed a second fellowship in interventional orthopedics and regenerative medicine with Regenexx at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Colorado.
Dr. Newton is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine. Additionally, he is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Family Practice.
Areas treated: Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Shoulder
5550 Friendship Blvd.
Suite 450
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
703-337-3305
1750 Tysons Blvd.
Suite 120
McLean, VA 22102
703-337-3305
Life’s too short to live in pain. Take advantage of new regenerative treatments that are helping people avoid joint replacement and other invasive surgeries. Get back to doing the activities you love, faster and without surgery.
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