Chiropractic Management of Knee Pain: A Retrospective Case-Series of 11 Patients

Abstract

Background: Knee pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal complaint that significantly impacts quality of life. Conservative care, including chiropractic management, is often sought as a non-pharmacological, non-surgical treatment option. This study aims to report on outcomes for patients with knee pain undergoing care at a single chiropractic clinic. Methods: A retrospective case-series was conducted on 11 patient files from Active Family Chiropractic in Mason City, IA. Inclusion criteria were a presenting complaint of knee pain and documented pre- and post-care subjective pain scores. Data on demographics, initial and final pain ratings, and treatment duration were extracted and analyzed. Results: The 11 cases included 6 males and 4 females (one unspecified), with ages ranging from 25 to over 65 years. The mean self-reported pain reduction for the cohort was 89% (median 89%). Initial pain scores averaged 7.6, while final pain scores averaged 1.0 on a numeric rating scale. Treatment durations varied from 6 weeks to 4 months. One case specifically noted the use of StemWave therapy, which resulted in meaningful improvement. Conclusion: The findings from this small retrospective case-series suggest that the chiropractic care protocols delivered at this clinic may be associated with substantial reductions in self-reported knee pain. These results highlight a potential role for conservative management in this patient population, though further controlled research is necessary to establish causality.

Methods

This study was conducted as a retrospective case-series to evaluate patient-reported outcomes for knee pain at a single private practice. Data were extracted from existing patient records at Active Family Chiropractic in Mason City, IA, managed by Dr. Patrick Trenary and Dr. Joeli.

The inclusion criteria for this series required patients to have presented with a chief complaint of knee pain and to have completed a course of care that included documented pre-treatment and post-treatment pain scores. A total of 11 de-identified patient cases met these criteria and were included for analysis.

Data collected from the patient files included age range, gender, initial and final self-reported pain levels on a numeric rating scale (NRS) where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst imaginable pain, and the duration of the treatment period. Pain reduction percentages were calculated for each case. No standardized metric for mobility was consistently tracked, so it was excluded from the aggregate analysis.

The interventions provided were not standardized but were determined by the providing chiropractor based on individual patient presentation. The clinic utilizes techniques including Gentle Spinal Adjustments, Low-Force Techniques, and Corrective Care. One patient record specifically mentioned the use of StemWave therapy as part of the treatment protocol. This study is descriptive in nature and uses basic statistics (mean, median) to summarize the collected outcome data. Due to its design, the study did not include a control group.

Discussion

The results of this retrospective case-series indicate a notable positive trend in self-reported outcomes for patients with knee pain receiving care at Active Family Chiropractic. The key finding of an 89% mean reduction in pain across 11 patients suggests a clinically significant improvement for this cohort. Such a substantial decrease in pain can have profound effects on an individual's daily activities, functional mobility, and overall quality of life.

The observed outcomes occurred across a diverse patient group, including various ages and genders, suggesting the clinic's approach may be beneficial for a range of individuals experiencing knee pain. The treatments, while individualized, are rooted in a conservative, biomechanical framework common to chiropractic care, incorporating techniques such as gentle adjustments and corrective care. The mention of StemWave therapy in one case highlights a multimodal approach, where different techniques may be combined to address patient-specific needs.

While the outcomes are encouraging, the nature of a case-series does not permit the establishment of a cause-and-effect relationship. The observed improvements cannot be definitively attributed to the chiropractic interventions alone. However, the magnitude of the pain reduction is substantial and provides a strong preliminary indication that the care provided was a significant contributing factor. These findings support the role of chiropractic management as a viable, non-invasive option for patients with knee pain, particularly for those seeking alternatives to long-term medication use or surgery. The results warrant further investigation through more rigorous study designs, such as a prospective cohort study or a randomized controlled trial, to validate these promising findings and elucidate the mechanisms of improvement.

Limitations

This study has several important limitations inherent to its design. As a retrospective case-series, it is susceptible to information bias, as the data were collected for clinical purposes, not research. The small sample size of 11 patients limits the generalizability of the findings to a broader population. Furthermore, all data were sourced from a single clinic, meaning the results may reflect the specific skills of the providers and the unique patient population of Active Family Chiropractic, rather than the effectiveness of chiropractic care for knee pain in general.

The absence of a control group is a significant limitation. It is not possible to discern what portion of the observed improvement is due to the treatment versus the natural history of the condition, the placebo effect, or regression to the mean. All outcome data were based on subjective, self-reported pain scores, which lack the objectivity of functional or imaging-based measures. Finally, there is a potential for selection bias, as the cases reviewed may represent a subset of patients who experienced positive outcomes and completed their care plans.