My Dad has suffered for years with osteoarthritis in his knees. His x-rays show bone on bone. The pain was so bad that he avoided stairs and if he had to go down a flight of steps he would do so backwards because it was so painful. His mobility was very limited; he couldn't squat or bend down and sat most of the time because it was too painful to walk.
I spent allot of time researching ways to help Dad. In most everything I read said exercise was essential for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis, recovering from knee injury and to maintain good general health but how does someone exercise when they are in pain. I found something that does work and relieves the pain. Dad is no longer in pain, he now goes up and downstairs, his mobility has greatly improved and best of all Dad started walking with my Mom for exercise. I cannot believe the improvement in his life. Even his mood has improved and all because of a chance meeting at a business lunch.
Last fall I attended a business lunch and met Alice Brown, the Inventor and Founder of a new Company in Michigan called In the Groove. Alice is disabled from a car accident and created a rehabilitative knee orthosis/brace based on a physical therapy movement that relieved her pain and helped her get out of a wheelchair. When I saw the orthosis/brace I didn't believe it could work but I was willing to have my Dad try anything to relieve his pain. Alice fitted my Dad with the orthosis/brace and after about 15 minutes of wearing the brace I noticed the tension leave his face and he had a puzzled look. I asked Dad what was going on and he told me he couldn't believe it because the pain was gone.
I am hoping by sharing my Dad's story I can help others. If you are interested in more information about the orthosis/brace, general information on knee health and helpful tips go to the website: http://www.inthegroovebrace.com

I just ran across a great video on stem cell therapy and how the procedure works.

Very interesting. I went to the website and read what it is all about. Looks simple... It might be just the ticket for my knee... it is misaligned and hurts like hell when I walk on it.

Can you give me some idea of what this brace costs? Do you know if this is something that might be covered by Medicare?

Thanks for sharing.

Dar

it was pretty pricey. There are others very similar and less expensive. We have a store here in my town Acology and they carry one that is very similar, a brace type deal. I could use one too, I think. I have a neoprene glove type for my knee but it's not as stabilizing. jam

[This Message was Edited on 09/01/2009]

Jam, I use all sorts of knee sleeves for my right knee which was replaced ten years ago. It's never been stable because I think I have loose ligaments. Now my left knee is bone-on-bone and needs to be replaced. No amount of pain pills helps. But I take 600 mg of prescription Ibuprofen and am able to walk my dog for 30 minutes each day.

I'd love to try a brace for my left knee but can't spend lots of money on it. If I put the glove-type of brace on it, it doesn't feel good. Just more grinding. I go on Medicare in November and will try to find something they will cover.

and I've worn by knee glove (neoprene) for 2 days now, and it's feeling so much better after wearing the glove most of the day. I'll continue with wearing it. I've been talking to to people about knee replacement and if I can avoid that I sure will. Just the thought of surgery/hospitals makes me anxious, very anxious. Although I've heard a lot of good reports on knee replacements.

My knee was bone-on-bone just like your Dad's and the pain was too extreme to walk. The only thing that helped me was a total knee replacement. It took ALL the pain away.

I can't wait to have my other knee done. I'm waiting until spring so I won't be in the hospital during flu season.