The foods you eat affect the rest of your body. Different foods can really impact your healing after orthopedic surgery such as the MACI Procedure, the revolutionary stem cell therapy we offer for the treatment of knee pain. Read below to learn about some of the best foods to eat when you are recovering from surgery. All these foods are particularly important to include in your diet after surgery but will also help to decrease all joint pain.
Berries (Anti-Inflammatory & Vitamins)
Packed with antioxidants and high levels of vitamin C, berries are one of the best foods you can eat to fight inflammation and encourage healing. Vitamin C is helpful with restoring soft tissues and collagen, which will speed up the healing of your incision.
Inflammation is not all bad. It is a natural and important part of any healing process. But it must be kept in check and prevented from increasing indefinitely. Eating blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and goji berries is a good way to help control inflammation.
Fish & Nuts (Vitamin Absorption)
You have undoubtedly heard of omega-3 fats. Fish and nuts are loaded with this good form of fat. The beneficial effects of incorporating foods with this type of fat into your diet involve helping vitamins to absorb better, allowing your body to utilize them more effectively. Healthy fats from fish and nuts also improve your immune system and help increase energy levels post-surgery.
Dark Leafy Greens
You can’t beat adding dark, leafy greens to your diet when recovering from surgery. They are one of the most recommended foods to promote healing after surgery. These vegetables are packed with high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain a good amount of vitamin K, which is a lesser-known vitamin that is important to aid blood clotting.
Dark leafy greens are a good source of fiber, iron, and electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These foods also help to absorb B-complex vitamins as they contain a lot of water, and the B vitamins are water-soluble. They absorb better when a good amount of water is present.
Some good choices include spinach, kale, Bok choy, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, and mustard greens. Eat them raw in a salad, cooked as a side dish with sinner, or blending them into a smoothie.
Eggs
Eggs are not only high in protein, but they also give your body a good dose of zinc. This mineral is an MVP in healing tissue damage and supporting your immune system.
Eggs are a near-perfect healing-promoting food and are highly recommended after recovering from surgery. Along with 6 grams of protein and zinc, eating one egg will give you Vitamins A, E and K, B complex vitamins, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, and iron.
Eggs are an incredibly versatile food and easy to digest. You can poach them, scramble, boil them, add them to salads or use them as an ingredient in recipes. They are easily prepared in a variety of ways so that you can easily change things up as you progress in your healing.
Losing mobility frequently leads to a loss of independence. Knee pain is one of the most common symptoms that can lead to a loss of mobility. Luckily, most knee pain can be effectively treated. The MACI Procedure has one of the highest success rates for the treatment of joint pain in the knee. It is a state-of-the-art treatment that we are proud to offer.
What is MACI?
MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery that is indicated for cartilage damage in the knee. The procedure consists of using autologous stem cell therapy. The term ‘autologous’ refers to the use of stem cells from your own body to grow new, healthy cartilage.
MACI is groundbreaking in the field of orthopedics. Knee pain is often caused by cartilage damage. After seeing an orthopedic doctor who will determine a diagnosis of the root cause of your pain, they may recommend the MACI procedure.
The procedure itself is straightforward, uncomplicated, and has a success rate of up to 85%. Other, more invasive surgeries require longer recovery periods and are more involved, which usually means more pain. Recovery from MACI is less painful, and the progress you will make to return to all activities is easier and faster.
You can expect full range of motion restored in the knee and the ability to fully weight bear with no protective brace on your knee joint in 8 to 12 weeks.
3 Things You’ll be Thankful to Have Back after MACI
Below are examples of three activities that are second nature to you now. But once you require knee surgery, you may be in danger of losing these functions and will most likely do anything to get them back. These are just examples; they may not apply to you - and there are many more.
Simple, daily activities that you don’t need to think twice about when your knee joints are fully healthy are at risk of being compromised when there is deterioration of structures in the knee. Having the MACI Procedure can almost guarantee that these functions will not be lost forever.
Do You Qualify?
Most of the population would qualify as a candidate for the MACI Procedure. However, there are a minimal number of contraindications having to do with age, location of the cartilage damage allergies, and prior conditions and procedures. These are:
The new year is not the only time to set resolutions and embark on a new way of life. Now is the perfect time of year to fix that nagging knee pain you’ve had for a while so that you can be fully healed and recovered and enter the new year with a fresh sense of stability and capability in your leg.
Assessing Your Knee Joint Pain, Is It Acute or Chronic?
Acute vs chronic is usually defined by how long you’ve had it. You will find different definitions and lengths of time to define acute vs chronic. But typically, if you’ve been experiencing knee pain for less than 6 weeks, it is considered acute or subacute. A duration of knee joint pain of several months or more is chronic.
Acute knee pain generally has an identifiable cause such as injury. It should subside after several days or weeks of treatment and/or rest when the cause of the pain is gone. Knee joint pain is considered subacute when it is present for up to 6 weeks to 3 months.
Any longer than that, your knee pain is considered chronic and requires further examination by an orthopedic specialist to diagnose the cause of the pain and proper treatment.
If It’s Knee Cartilage Loss, Consider Stem Cell Therapy
Chronic knee pain is almost always caused by some sort of internal damage to cartilage or other structures within the joint. Chronic knee pain can be caused by an injury that did not heal properly in the acute stage and turned chronic.
Or there could be no injury at all and chronic knee pain can be a result of normal or excessive wear and tear on the joint. Most often, cartilage damage is the culprit. And in this case, you may be a perfect candidate for the MACI Procedure.
How the Maci Procedure Can Help You
MACI is a revolutionary treatment for knee pain introduced to the world in 2013 in Europe and gained full FDA approval in the US in 2016. It is specifically for repairing damaged cartilage. The procedure involves stem cell therapy using autologous cartilaginous stem cells to grow new cartilage. This new cartilage is then implanted in your knee to cover or replace the area of damaged cartilage.
The MACI Procedure can treat historically hard-to-treat areas in the knee that are causing pain. It boasts a very high success rate and has an easier, shorter, and less painful recovery period. Not all orthopedic surgeons perform this procedure as one must be specially trained and certified in the technique to do so.
Dr. Burke Orthopedics - The Premier Stem Cell Therapy Provider in Houston
If you have seen doctor after doctor with no relief of your knee pain, consider MACI. Or maybe, you want to skip all the misdiagnoses and wrong treatments, wasting time and money, and be diagnosed and treated correctly the first time. This is the treatment you will find at Dr. Burke Orthopedics.
We are a team of the best orthopedic specialists in Texas who provide the state-of-the-art and almost always successful MACI Procedure. Schedule a consultation with 2 convenient locations in Pearland, TX and Houston. Call us at (713) 436-3488.
Once the weather gets cooler, it’s easy to settle into the mindset of “Well, I need to start hunkering down for the winter.” This is the wrong mindset to have. Coming up with ways to remain active and maintain healthy joints is a better way of thinking. Read on to learn ways to combat joint pain and keep your joints healthy once the weather changes.
Stay Active with Gentle Exercises
Staying active is important to keep your joints moving. This will help to disburse the synovial fluid within the joint, keeping it lubricated and distributing nutrients. By staying active, not only will you be helping ease joint pain, but activity has the additional benefits of:
With orthopedic issues, a rigorous exercise program is not recommended, nor is it necessary. Gentle daily exercise is enough. If it’s not too cold outside, take a short walk. If relegated to the indoors, you can go up and down your staircase if you have one in the home.
Gentle stretches with a towel are great for maintaining flexibility and range of motion. Find online yoga videos and use TV time more efficiently by doing jumping jacks, push-ups, or running/walking in place during commercials. (If you’re not streaming your program) 😊
Nourish Your Joints with Seasonal Foods
Fall is host to an abundance of showcased foods that contain anti-inflammatory benefits. These benefits help with knee pain, shoulder pain, and all other joint pain. Pumpkins, gourds, sweet potatoes, and nuts and seeds all contain anti-inflammatory powerhouses. Take advantage of the popular and seasonal foods this fall while simultaneously helping your joints.
Mind Your Footwear and Surfaces
Paying attention to what shoes you wear and surfaces you walk/run on is not only important for ankle and knee pain but for your spine and every other joint in your body. Wearing supportive shoes provides cushioning and stability for your joints. This is particularly important if you walk on a hard surface all day at work or go running or walking on concrete for exercise.
These benefits affect the entire posterior chain of your body. This means that what helps your feet will help your ankles, then your knees. Wearing proper footwear also helps your hips, spine, and everything else.
If You’re Experiencing Long-Term Joint Pain, It’s Time to See an Orthopedic Doctor
There may come a time when you have joint pain, and it does not go away in a few days of rest and light activity. This is when you should visit an orthopedic doctor to make sure something serious is not going on with your joint.
The pain may still recede on its own, but to ensure that the situation is not sinister, schedule a consultation with Dr. Burke or one of his team members at Dr. Burke Orthopedics, the best orthopedic clinic in Texas! You can reach us by calling (713) 436-3488.
What you eat has a significant impact on your joint health and overall well-being. You can indeed ease joint pain through food. This time of year provides many opportunities to choose foods that fight inflammation, strengthen bones and connective tissue, and more. So, if you like to indulge a little and have a few extra calories, fall is the season to do so.
Why Fall is the Best Time for Joint-Friendly Foods
Fall offers an abundance of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods that are in season. Foods with these properties are just the things you want to consume to ease knee pain and other joint pain. Most of these foods are available all year round but they are the star in many fall recipes, making them much easier to find in the grocery store.
Our Official Top Ten List
Not just for sitting on the front porch, pumpkin flesh is loaded with beta-carotene, which has anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are a great source of magnesium, another mineral known to reduce inflammation and aid relaxation and sleep.
Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds contain anti-inflammatory substances such as omega-3 fatty acids and phytochemicals.
Pomegranates are antioxidant powerhouses. They also contain polyphenols which reduce inflammation. Pineapple contains bromelain, a powerful anti-inflammatory substance which fights arthritis pain and aids sleep.
Sweet potatoes are another food loaded with beta-carotene, helping to combat inflammation. Regular consumption of them may help ease symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
When you think of temperatures cooling down, often people crave warm, comfort food such as chili. Enter beans! They are a chili staple and a wonderful source of anti-inflammatory substances like fiber and antioxidants.
Black beans, navy beans, and pinto beans are all great choices. They are all wonderful sources of fiber and protein. But lima beans are particularly beneficial as they contain a metabolite of dopamine called 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Salmon is often touted as being a superfood because of its omega-3 fatty acids. It’s true, but expand your seafood options to include tuna, halibut, and trout in your diet, all of which have these same anti-inflammatory properties.
These consist of Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. They block enzymes that cause swelling of your joints. These vegetables are also loaded with vitamins and minerals.
You may have never heard that using peanut oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and seed oils can increase inflammation levels, promoting joint pain. However, olive oil is an excellent choice, packed with inflammation-fighting Omega-3s.
Aromatic root vegetables are onions, garlic, turmeric, ginger, celery, scallions, and horseradish. There are more, this list goes on and they are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Use them in abundance to add loads of flavor to your dishes and ease joint pain at the same time.
Avocados have high amounts of potassium, magnesium, fiber, and healthy fats. And they may help with weight loss, which is always a concern with orthopedic issues, particularly knee pain. Recent research found that avocados “induce antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects by improving enzymatic activity and modulating obesity‐related impairments in the anti‐inflammatory system in different tissues, without side effects.” And that they are” … effective in reversing the harmful effects of obesity on blood lipids.” 1
For More Serious Orthopedic Concerns, Contact an Orthopedic Expert
Certainly not all orthopedic issues can be fixed with food intake choices. There are times when a serious condition warrants a visit to an orthopedist. For these issues, don’t hesitate to contact the best orthopedic doctors in Texas at Dr. Burke Orthopedics by calling (713) 436-3488.
Sources cited:
Understanding the Impact of Cartilage Defects
Cartilage makes up a large portion of the knee joint and is responsible for its stability and smoothness of motion. It also provides shock absorption throughout your body. Cartilage is a tough, malleable connective tissue that is particularly important in the knee. Two types of cartilage are responsible for the proper functioning of the knee. These are meniscal and articular cartilage.
Articular is a smooth type of cartilage that decreases friction during movement, allowing the bones to glide easily. It covers the ends of the femur, shin bone, and back of the kneecap.
The meniscus cartilage is different. It is tougher and more flexible. It is located between the thigh and the shin bone right in the middle of the joint. There are two menisci in each knee. The menisci equally distribute the body weight across the entire knee, providing cushioning and shock absorption.
When in knee pain, cartilage damage is likely the culprit and cartilage repair is the solution. Damage to either of these two types of cartilage in the knee will lead to pain and loss of function. Some symptoms of cartilage damage in the knee are:
Introducing MACI: Personalized Cartilage Restoration
Dr. Burke offers the MACI Procedure. The entire goal of this treatment is cartilage repair. It covers or replaces damaged cartilage in the knee with newly grown, healthy cartilage. Your body easily absorbs this fresh new cartilage, restoring function to your knee.
The procedure is highly individualized as it uses autologous stem cells to grow the new cartilage. This means that the baby cartilage cells are extracted from your own knee and implanted back in when they are fully mature.
The Dr. Burke Orthopedics Advantage
An orthopedic surgeon must be trained and certified to offer this procedure; this is why most orthopedic clinics don’t offer it. Dr. Burke not only has this certification but is experienced in the technique as he has been performing it for years.
Dr. Burke and his team treat you with the utmost compassion and empathy. Don’t take our word for it, read this recent 5-star review in Yelp...
“This is by far the best Ortho I've ever had I played collegiate sports and have had issues with my knee for a while. The entire staff is just a pleasure my last Appointment lasted maybe 10 minutes I highly recommend this office.”
Reclaim Your Mobility and Quality of Life
Knee pain can significantly curtail your quality of life, making the simplest task painful and difficult to complete. The MACI Procedure has an 85% success rate, and the odds are in your favor that it will work and you will return to all activities you need to do, whether that is doing laundry or engaging in sports.
Art of your body starts hurting, it can be scary. Especially if there was no injury and you are unsure of the cause. Here at Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in treating orthopedic conditions and injuries and take the time to explain everything to you and assuage your fear.
Below are some reasons why we are the best orthopedic clinic you can find in Texas.
We hear you. We listen. Our entire team from front desk staff task to your orthopedic surgeon will treat you like you are a member of their own family. No need to be apprehensive when coming to see us. Your comfort is one of our utmost priorities, second only to providing excellent, effective care.
If you are looking for an orthopedic clinic that provides state-of-the-art, revolutionary medicine. Look no further. One procedure that sets us apart from other clinics is the MACI procedure.
This minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of knee pain is groundbreaking in the world of knee surgery. It is a process that uses autologous stem cells from your own knee to grow new cartilage and cover or replace the area of damage. It boasts an incredibly high success rate and can lead to avoiding the need for a total knee replacement.
Not all orthopedic clinics provide this procedure as you must be specially trained to offer it. Dr. Burke has this special training.
Dr. Burke and his team have decades of experience treating all musculoskeletal conditions. We have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Google from hundreds of reviews. Here are some recent reviews from satisfied patients…
As you can see, people love and trust us, and most importantly, patients refer their friends and family to us and return to us themselves when another orthopedic complaint pops up. We hope you will come to see us when you have musculoskeletal pain.
You may have heard about the revolutionary MACI Procedure for knee pain and want to know what it would be like to have it. We want to help with that curiosity. Read below to learn about the procedure, who it’s appropriate for, and hear from a satisfied patient.
What is MACI?
MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a specialized treatment for knee pain that not all orthopedic surgeons offer as you must be specially trained to perform this procedure.
It is a stem cell therapy meant for knee pain indicated for cartilage defects in the knee. Cartilage damage is the cause of most knee complaints. The stem cells used in this procedure are autologous - meaning cells from your own body that are targeted for cartilage repair.
The MACI procedure involves a 2-step process, the first of which consists of harvesting a sample of chondrocytes from your knee. These are the stem cells - chondrocytes are precursor cells that grow into cartilage. The sample extracted from a non-weight-bearing position of your knee is done arthroscopically.
Arthroscopic procedures are short, simple, and painless. Your surgeon will make a very small incision in your knee into which a tiny camera on a thin tube is inserted into your knee. The camera functions as a guide for your surgeon as it displays an internal image onto a monitor.
Once extracted, we ship these cells to a dedicated MACI lab. Here they are implanted onto a collagen matrix bed and specially treated to encourage growth of the chondrocytes into new cartilage. After about a month, the new cartilage can function on its own and your MACI implant is created.
Now you will be ready to undergo the second phase of the procedure. This step involves surgically implanting your MACI implant over or in place of the area of damaged cartilage. The implant is quite flexible and strong. It can be trimmed to an exact fit needed for cartilage repair, whether by covering or replacing the damage.
Your surgeon uses a fibrin sealant to affix the implant in place which makes sutures unnecessary. The new cartilage from the MACI implant absorbs into your tissue.
Meet Abby
One of many patient testimonials on the MACI website is Abby whose story will probably be relatable to many people reading this. Abby was a college athlete who participated in competitive sports for most of her life.
Suddenly, she found herself sidelined with knee pain but determined to get back in the game. She and her doctor decided that MACI would be the best option for her. After completing rehab after the surgery with the same focus and determination she always gave to her athletic endeavors, she was back to participating in all her most beloved activities.
She states “MACI impacted me in a lot of ways. By resolving my knee pain, it brought me back to doing what I love; running, biking, and just being active with my family and friends.”
Is MACI right for you?
MACI is right for nearly anyone within a certain age range. That range is 18-55 years old. The safety and efficacy of MACI have not yet been verified for patients outside this span.
When your doctor determines that cartilage damage is the cause of your knee pain you are likely a suitable candidate for the MACI Procedure. And the versatile nature of the MACI implant allows multiple areas to be treated at the same time, if needed. This list below encompasses common areas of knee injury that were historically difficult to treat but, thanks to MACI, are now easily treatable. These include:
Contact Us
Consider MACI with Dr. Burke, you will not be disappointed. Schedule a consultation with us at DR. Burke Orthopedics in Pearland, TX by calling (713) 436-3488.
Has your knee been bothering you for a long time and you’ve been to several doctors to seek relief to no avail? Or you’re simply wary of having the recommended procedure such as a knee replacement. Read on to find out about how the MACI Procedure can fix your knee problems in a much less invasive, painful way that requires less downtime.
Cartilage Loss: A Common Issue for Active Individuals
Cartilage damage is the most common reason that your knee hurts, whether it’s from an acute knee injury or a long-term wear and tear type scenario. Cartilage repair is the crux of MACI and can have you back to enjoying the activities you love in less time than it would take from more invasive procedures.
So, whether you’re an athlete or just a very active person and you find yourself limiting the things you do because of knee pain – cartilage damage is probably to blame.
What is the MACI Procedure?
The MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) procedure is a treatment for knee pain using autologous stem cell therapy. It is a minimally invasive surgery, indicated for knee cartilage damage.
‘Autologous’ refers to the stem cells used in the MACI Procedure. They are yours, harvested from your own body and completed arthroscopically from a non-weight-bearing position of the knee. The extracted cells consist of chondrocytes, which are the building blocks of cartilage. This is the first step of a 2-step process for this procedure.
Arthroscopic procedures are short and simple. They involve making a very small incision in which your surgeon inserts a thin tube into your knee, on the end of which is a very tiny camera. This camera displays an image onto a monitor that your surgeon uses as a guide.
We then ship these stem cells to a specialized lab dedicated to the MACI Procedure. There, the cells are implanted onto a collagen membrane that encourages growth into fresh new cartilage. As soon as the new cartilage is ready to survive and function on its own, your MACI implant is created.
Now, you are ready for the second phase which involves surgically inserting the implant over or in place of the damaged area. The implant can be trimmed to an exact fit to cover or replace the damage.
The implant absorbs into your tissue. Sutures are generally not required as a fibrin sealant is used to fix the implant in place.
Recovery is easier, less painful, and requires less downtime than many other orthopedic surgeries.
When you wake up from surgery, your leg will be locked in a brace that you need to wear for about 6 weeks. Full motion and weight-bearing of the knee without the brace is expected within 8 to 12 weeks.
How Dr. Burke and the MACI Procedure Can Help You Get Back on Track
This procedure boasts a high success rate and is a wonderful option that we provide, that is not offered by all orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Burke is specially trained in the technique.
The MACI Procedure is a revolutionary orthopedic surgery. Knee pain can limit everything you try to do in life. If your knee is bothering you, come see our team at Dr. Burke Orthopedics to determine the root cause of the issue. You may find that you are a candidate for the MACI Procedure to fix your knee pain once and for all.
When a part of your body starts hurting, it can be scary. Especially if there was no injury and you are unsure of the cause. Here at Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in treating orthopedic conditions and injuries and take the time to explain everything to you and assuage your fear.
Below are some reasons why we are the best orthopedic clinic you can find in Texas.
We hear you. We listen. Our entire team from front desk staff task to your orthopedic surgeon will treat you like you are a member of their own family. No need to be apprehensive when coming to see us. Your comfort is one of our utmost priorities, second only to providing excellent, effective care.
If you are looking for an orthopedic clinic that provides state-of-the-art, revolutionary medicine. Look no further. One procedure that sets us apart from other clinics is the MACI procedure.
This minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of knee pain is groundbreaking in the world of knee surgery. It is a process that uses autologous stem cells from your own knee to grow new cartilage and cover or replace the area of damage. It boasts an incredibly high success rate and can lead to avoiding the need for a total knee replacement.
Not all orthopedic clinics provide this procedure as you must be specially trained to offer it. Dr. Burke has this special training.
Dr. Burke and his team have decades of experience treating all musculoskeletal conditions. We have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Google from hundreds of reviews. Here are some recent reviews from satisfied patients…
As you can see, people love and trust us, and most importantly, patients refer their friends and family to us and return to us themselves when another orthopedic complaint pops up. We hope you will come to see us when you have musculoskeletal pain.
We all experience knee pain at some point in our life. No one is immune. Below, we discuss some self-care tips you can perform on your own to try and avoid surgery. But if it does progress to that point, 2 common surgeries of the knee are detailed, one using stem cells.
Most everyone will want to avoid surgery when they have knee pain. Usually, that is a possibility. When you begin to notice pain in your knee, take action and implement these steps to prevent it from getting worse.
Heat can also help with pain, especially when knee soreness is a result of joints. Heat also helps with mobility.
When the above measures just don’t work, you should see a doctor who may recommend one of the following procedures.
When knee pain becomes too much to bear and starts affecting your daily life, you may need a brand-new knee. Knee replacement surgeries are very successful, and after healing recovery is completed, you will have significant pain relief.
It is generally a short surgery, barring any complications. Some cases will be performed on an outpatient basis but other times you will stay a night in the hospital. This decision is generally based on how much damage there is in your knee joint.
Physical Therapy is key to successful recovery from a knee replacement. You will be guided on range of motion and strengthening exercises, as well as gradual return to activity. Much quicker takes place when strictly adhering to your rehab regimen.
A simpler procedure than a full knee replacement is the MACI Procedure. MACI is indicated for cartilage damage in the knee, which is the most common cause of knee pain. It is a 2-step procedure.
The first step involves harvesting autologous system cells from a non-weight-bearing position of your knee. The stem cells extracted from your knee are primed to grow into fresh new healthy cartilage. Step 2 of the procedure occurs about a month after step 1 where the newly grown cartilage is implanted back into your knee covering or replacing the area of damage.
MACI has a success rate of 80-85% and is a game-changer in the world of knee surgeries. Not every orthopedic surgeon provides this procedure. But Dr. Burke and his team do provide it.
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