Herbal Remedies for Knee Replacements

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 11 million people suffer from knee pain caused by torn ligaments, bursitis, tendinitis, obesity or osteoarthritis. Some require knee replacement surgery. Others may get by for a while or permanently using herbal remedies as an alternative treatment to possibly unnecessary surgery.

Types

• Knowing specifically what is causing knee pain will help in selecting the right course of action. Hylauronic acid has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Acupuncture is very effective in treating knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis and muscle strain. From over-the-counter supplements to your regular garden varieties, herbs can help bring relief to knee pain. Devil's claw, cat's claw, black cohosh, comfrey, marigold, aloe vera, cabbage and white willow bark, are anti-inflammatories that aid in detoxifying the body and reducing swelling caused by inflammation.

Hylauronic Acid

• Everyone's body produces hylauronan, which is a glycosaminoglycan that helps keep joints lubricated. Our bodies use about one third of it every day. As we age, the amount of hylauronan in our bodies increases, but the molecular weight of it decreases, making it less effective to keep joints lubed. Hylauronan is administered by a doctor through a series of injections, called viscosupplementation, which cushion the joint to reduce osteoarthritis pain.

Acupuncture

• For relief of knee pain because of osteoarthritis, bursitis or tendinitis, acupuncture is another alternative to surgery. The ultra-thin, almost pain-free needles, stuck in the correct places, increase blood flow to the inflamed region and stimulate the body to produce more endorphins, which is our own built-in painkiller. In a study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, patients who received acupuncture treatments showed improvement in knee function as well as pain relief.

Garden-Variety Herbal Remedies

• Autumn-orange marigolds aren't only cheerful eye pleasers, they make a potent tea when seeped in hot water for 15 minutes and sipped in 1/2 cup servings about every two hours. They also make a good compress when applied directly to the knee. To reduce swelling around the knee, blanch several cabbage leaves and wrap them around your knee, then cover with plastic wrap to keep in the moisture. Leave this on overnight, or repeat the procedure every four hours. The sticky gel inside an aloe vera plant also relieves swelling and reduces inflammation. Slather the gooey substance all around your knee, and cover with soft gauze.

Over-the-counter Herbal Supplements

• Look for a supplement that contains devil's claw, cat's claw, black cohosh, white willow bark, alfalfa leaf and meadowsweet and licorice root. These herbs in combination are beneficial, inexpensive and already measured for maximum effectiveness to help dissolve calcium deposits, reduce pain, inflammation and swelling of the knee joint. A diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, as well as drinking 64 oz. water daily also is recommended.

Warnings

• Consult your doctor before treating knee pain on your own. Black cohosh, white willow bark (used to make aspirin), can cause stomach upset. Hylauronan injections should be a last alternative to surgery.
  Pregnant or nursing women, or people with high blood pressure, should not take these over-the-counter remedies without first discussing them with their doctor. None of these remedies are intended for long-term use.