Knee pain is a common condition afflicting many people in Anchorage, AK and elsewhere. Common causes include: osteoarthritis, meniscus injury, tendinopathy, and ligament sprains. Treatments for the pain will vary according to each of these conditions. It will also vary depending upon the degree of severity (from mild to moderate to severe).

This guide focuses on clinically-proven, science-backed treatments and where in Anchorage to go for each.

I. Conservative Non‑Surgical Treatments

A. 12-Point Knee Renewal Program

The first treatment option to consider is the 12-Point Knee Renewal Program available at Better Health Alaska. This proprietary multi-step treatment plan incorporates a variety of protocols that run the gamut from physical therapy and chiropractic care to acoustic wave therapy and regenerative medicine.

Regardless of the source of the knee pain, the 12-Point Knee Renewal Program can be tailored to a patient’s specific needs to provide substantial relief and a pathway to keep those gains locked in.

The 12-Point Knee Renewal Program is only found at Better Health Alaska.

B. Physical Therapy (PT) & Rehabilitation

Another avenue for knee pain treatment is straight physical therapy (PT) and rehabilitation. It is best for mild to moderate osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain, and meniscus-related pain. It works by using strength training, range-of-motion exercises, and functional rehabilitation techniques to build up muscles in the area around the knee to reduce strain and eliminate pain.

This type of care is available at outpatient PT clinics and sports medicine rehab centers. Examples of such in Anchorage, AK include:

• Better Health Alaska
• Alaska Physical Therapy Specialists
• South Anchorage Physical Therapy

C. Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Chiropractic)

Another option is simple manual therapy. This incorporates a variety of chiropractic techniques that are highly effective in treating biomechanical knee pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and mild osteoarthritis.

These techniques typically include joint mobilizations, soft-tissue techniques, and spinal adjustments. Manual therapy, when combined with an exercise regimen, improves pain and range of motion in cases involving patellofemoral pain. Chiropractic care aids biomechanics and pain relief.  

This treatment can be performed by a licensed physical therapist or chiropractor trained in knee biomechanics. In Anchorage, that would include the following locations:

• Better Health Alaska
• Advanced Physical Therapy – Anchorage
• Wise Physical Therapy

II. Injection-Based Interventions

A. Corticosteroid Injections

Another option available, especially for situations involving moderate to severe osteoarthritis with inflammatory flare-ups, are corticosteroid injections. These offer short-term pain relief as well as functional improvement of the knee.

You can get these types of injections at orthopedic clinics, sports medicine centers, or pain management centers. In Anchorage, these include: 

• Algone Anchorage Interventional Pain Clinic
• Better Health Alaska
• Alaska Center for Pain Relief, Inc.

B. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections are another type of injection used for knee pain. They work by replacing the natural HA that may have been lost over time due to age. They are best used for mild to moderate osteoarthritis – especially in cases where steroids are contraindicated.

Additionally, this study EFORT Open Reviews found that Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections were superior to corticosteroids at longer follow-ups.¹ 

HA injections can be found at orthopedic specialist offices and rheumatology clinics. Such locations in Anchorage include:

• Better Health Alaska
• Algone Anchorage Interventional Pain Clinic
• Alaska Center for Pain Relief, Inc.

C. Platelet‑Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is another injection therapy. It is an injection made from the patient’s own blood that contains special proteins and factors to improve healing. It is best for mild to moderate cases of osteoarthritis as well as soft tissue injuries.

One study on PubMed from the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that “one shot of PRP injection, decreased joint pain more and longer-term, alleviated the symptoms, and enhanced the activity of daily living and quality of life in short-term duration in comparison with CS (corticosteroids).”² 

PRP Therapy is most often found in regenerative medicine centers, sports medicine providers, and orthopedic clinics with PRP. In Anchorage, AK, the following healthcare offices offer PRP:

• Better Health Alaska
• Algone Anchorage Interventional Pain Clinic
• Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic
• Advanced Pain Centers of Alaska
  

III. Minimally Invasive & Procedural Treatments

A. Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Another option is genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This technique uses radiofrequency energy to heat and destroy the nerves around the knee. It is best for chronic cases of moderate to severe osteoarthritis that have proven unresponsive to injection therapies like those listed above.

This type of therapy is most often found in pain clinics and radiology departments that offer interventional procedures. In Anchorage, the following places offer genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation:

• Algone Anchorage Interventional Pain Clinic
• Alpenglow Pain & Wellness
• The Urban Pain Institute

IV. Surgical & Arthroscopic Treatments

A. Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical option that involves making small incisions in the knee, inserting a camera, and performing surgical repairs of the damage found. It is best used in cases involving mechanical symptoms like locking or meniscal tears.

Typically, arthroscopy is an option available at orthopedic surgery centers. Here in Anchorage, this includes the following places:

• Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic (Dr. Benjamin D. Packard, M.D., MBS)
• ORCAAK

B. Osteotomy & Joint Replacement

Two more invasive surgical options for knee pain are osteotomy and joint replacement. These are usually used in cases of advanced osteoarthritis when conservative care has failed. 

Osteotomy involves reshaping the bones around the knee as needed to restore alignment, while joint replacement involves replacing either some or all of the respective joint with an artificial one.

These techniques  can be sought out at orthopedic hospitals and specialized joint replacement programs. In Anchorage, these include:

• ORCAAK
• Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic
• Alaska Orthopedic Specialists

V. Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain

Chiropractic care is another option available for some types of knee pain. Specifically, it is best for mild to moderate knee pain with biomechanical or functional contributors. The services chiropractic care offers include knee joint manipulation, soft-tissue therapy, lower-limb biomechanics, and spinal alignment.

This case study on PubMed from the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association involved a 54-year-old woman with osteoarthritis in her knees. She responded positively to a combination of chiropractic techniques (active, passive, and nutritional).³ 

This type of care can be found at the offices of chiropractors who are trained in sports or musculoskeletal care. One excellent chiropractic officer in Anchorage, AK is:

• Better Health Alaska

VI. Care Pathways Summary

Conclusion

There are several takeaways from this discussion. One, knee pain should be assessed and treated based on diagnosis and severity. Two, conservative management (PT, manual therapy, chiropractic) often provides significant benefits. Additionally, injections (steroid, HA, PRP) offer increasing degrees of relief with PRP showing long-term effectiveness. Advanced interventions like RFA and surgery should be reserved for persistent, severe cases.

Lastly, for the best outcomes, patients should be advised to seek care from certified specialists such as PTs, chiropractors, orthopedists, and pain physicians. Here at Better Health Alaska in Anchorage, AK we have a wealth of resources for knee pain sufferers. These include the PTs and chiropractors we have on staff, our proprietary 12-point Knee Renewal Program, plus a great deal of knowledge gained over many years of experience to help us guide and inform patients in need of help.

So, reach out and contact us here by phone or on-line. You can make an appointment and be seen – often on the same day. Enjoy better health! 

Sources and Studies

1. Bensa, A., et al. “Corticosteroid injections for knee osteoarthritis offer clinical benefits similar to hyaluronic acid and lower than platelet-rich plasma: a systematic review and  meta-analysis” Efort Open Reviews, Vol. 9, Iss. 9, pgs 883-895, (02 September 2024);
   https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/9/9/EOR-23-0198.xml?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Forogh, B., et al., “Effect of single injection of platelet-rich plasma in comparison with corticosteroid on knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.” PubMed agement in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a case report,” PubMed : The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, Vol. 56, Iss. 7-8, pgs. 901-8, Jul. – Aug. (2016),
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26173792/
3. Law, A., “Diversified chiropractic management in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a case report,” PubMed Central: Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, Vol. 45, Iss. 4, pgs. 232 – 240, (Dec. 2001) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2505083/