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DoctorGetWell's Monthly Column
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Dr. Alex Tatevian has maintained a monthly acupuncture column in
the health section of the Federal Hill Gazette since 1999.
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Federall Hill Gazette; August 2002
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Knee pain: surgical intervention or acupuncture?
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Question:
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I’ve had four knee surgeries, two on each knee, over the last several years. There was some improvement after every operation but it did not last. Now I cannot walk without a cane. My orthopedist does not want to operate on my knees any more. What can I do?
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Answer:
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You are not alone. Surgeries for arthritic knees have become one of the most routine procedures in America, performed on at least 225,000 Americans annually. Texan scientists have recently disclosed results proving surgical intervention was actually no better than sham procedures performed in their study. Studies proved that corrective arthroscopic knee surgery - treatment in broad use for decades - was found to be largely a result of favorable anecdotal experience. However, large-scale studies reported major medical problems.
The benefits of this surgery do not outweigh the risks of side effects. The possibilities of complications from a surgical intervention are always present, no matter how skillful the surgeon, how well trained the staff, and how perfected the procedure itself.
If you've already undergone knee surgery – consider that avenue well explored and exhausted. An alternative approach such as acupuncture may be considered not as a matter of personal preference, but rather as a reasonable choice made from intelligence and necessity.
Knee pain responds to acupuncture treatments very well; the improvement is noticeable after a few sessions. Physical exercise can also strengthen and enhance knee health. The best exercise for knees is bicycling; it is impact free and provides very good range of motion without lateral stress.
With acupuncture, you have a very strong chance to achieve your most important goal: to make your knees functional and pain free, and to help you to return to normal life with no physical limitations.
Alex Tatevian, DA
We welcome all questions that you may have.
You can ask your questions
on-line at
DoctorGetWell.org, e-mail them to getwell@doctor.com , or send them to:
Alex Tatevian, DA
Acu Well Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine
141 Airport Road, Warwick, Rhode Island (RI) 02889
Phone (401) 738-9355
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This page last updated: 8-Sep-2010
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