Soft wave therapy for joint pain

FWIW, when you say your knee is bone-on-bone, it's very likely that a TKR would be best.

It all depends on your level of pain and how it's affecting your day-to-day life. If you can't walk without limping, or if you can't walk up or down stairs, it may be time for a replacement.

I've read stories here about stem cell therapies, gel injections, and PRP injections. They may offer short-term relief, but to my knowledge, none of them will regrow lost cartilage or damaged/missing menisci.

I suggest seeing a knee surgeon, a good surgeon who won't jump to TKR without a thorough evaluation, and possible PT. Ideally, find a surgeon with a solid med school and/or residency pedigree - Mayo, Cleveland Clinic. I suggest someone in his or her late 30s to late 40s.

PT helped me immensely after my first visit with the surgeon. Eventually though, the pain would not go away and I had both knees replaced in 2022. Best decisions of my life. I am pain free and in the gym 7 days/week. I work with a trainer, lift weights, and take spin classes for cardio.

All the best to you! Joe

Thank you for all of your information and experience. I do go to a osteo clinic and they tell me I'll know when it needs replaced...I'm trying to avoid it.

You're very welcome. And yes, avoid the TKR until you can't. The pain, if it gets to a point where you are always bothered by it, is the best sign that the TKR is due.

I actually felt better after my first visit with the surgeon. I started working with a personal trainer. We worked on the muscles supporting the knee, and I was walking without a lot of bother.

Then one day, I slipped while on a 6" tall balance beam. I didn't fall, but took a stiff-legged hit to my left knee. The pain was immediate and intense, so much so that I couldn't sleep on my left side. I scheduled the surgery and that was done in March of 2022. Four months later in July, I had my right knee replaced. In both knees, there was no cartilage left, just bone on bone.

One last thing, my surgeon did use the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant. "Robotic" is misleading. A CT scan creates a 3D image of the knee and that gets fed into a computer. The computer then guides the cutting arm which is held by the surgeon. Most of the real work is still done by the surgeon. The assistant doesn't allow any bone to be cut that shouldn't be cut.

I had a choice and I'm glad I did it. The only other ingredient for success is hard work after surgery, rehab 3X/day for 2 months. Best investment I've ever made!

I wish you all the best!

I have a frozen leg due to scar tissue. After much research I decided to seek Software therapy. It was recommended that I have 16 treatments. Sadly it did not work. I am desperate to walk normally.
I was able to break the right scar tissue in my right leg but regular therapy order by the orthopedic surgeon did not work nor will he treat it like a frozen shoulder.
Has anyone found a way to break down the scar tissue?

I have used Shockwave for myofascial trigger points. It helped. Not too sure it will help bone on bone. for your knee. I have one bad knee with severe osteoarthitis under the patella. PRP injections helped it plus exercise