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High-Tech Knee Therapy Reduces Swelling, Pain

By Dennis Douda, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When high school gymnast Natalia Merrifield hyper-extended her knee, it took all the spring out of her step. That is not good when you're the two-time defending state champ on vault and you can not even stand as tournament time nears.

Yet, Merrifield bounced back. She credits rehabilitation with chiropractor David Stude and five days of therapy with a high-tech device Dr. Stude has great faith in. The OrthoCor Active Knee System targets the joint with mild heat and a pulsed electromagnetic field.

"The research that's been done on this device, so far, shows that it's really, really beneficial at reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process, reducing swelling, reducing pain," said Dr. Stude.

It certainly worked wonders for Merrifield.

"I used that diligently two times a day for two hours each time (for five consecutive days) and it was like a miracle," Merrifield said. "It was incredible."

Attached by Velco strips, the lightweight, stretch-wrap device can be worn over or under clothing. The rechargeable PEMF generator automatically turns itself off after two hours of therapy.

The Minneapolis-based OrthoCor CEO & President John Dinusson said research has shown the device to be medically beneficial.

"We're FDA cleared or approved for both pain and arthritis, as well as post-operative pain and edema (swelling) for superficial soft tissue," said Dinusson.

A 2010 study published by the Orthopedic Research Society reported a 45 percent reduction in osteoarthritis pain.  And last year the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported a 55 percent reduction post-operative pain.

Considering there are an estimated 10 million Americans with osteoarthritis in their knees, plus a million knee surgeries done in this country each year, Dinusson expects to see a demand for the device.

"We have huge patient populations that are actively looking for a solution between pills and a total knee replacement," he said.

The device costs $250 and, as a Class III medical device, requires a prescription. In the next six to nine months OrthoCor hopes to also have FDA clearance for similar devices for the wrist, elbow, ankle and lower back.

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