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Bone-on-Bone Knee Osteoarthritis Relief with SoftWave Therapy at Integrative Physical Health in Wilmington, DE

Published April 7th, 2025 by Integrative Physical Health

A Regenerative, Non-Surgical Solution at Integrative Physical Health in Wilmington, DE

Knee pain can be one of the most frustrating and limiting conditions, especially when it’s caused by advanced osteoarthritis—often labeled as “bone-on-bone.” If you’ve been told you’re out of options, or that surgery is your only choice, we have great news: there’s a better way.

At Integrative Physical Health, Dr. Tim Ciolkosz and his team are helping patients with even severe, bone-on-bone knee arthritis avoid surgery, steroid injections, and pain medications through the power of SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology (TRT)—a conservative, drug-free, and non-invasive treatment that promotes real healing at the cellular level.

Learn more about the practice here.


Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis: Causes and Symptoms

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition that involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage, inflammation of the joint capsule, and deterioration of the underlying bone. As the protective cartilage wears away, joint space narrows and painful bone-on-bone contact can occur.

Causes of Knee Osteoarthritis:

  • Age-related wear and tear

  • Prior knee injuries or surgeries

  • Repetitive use or occupational strain

  • Obesity and excess joint load

  • Muscle imbalances or poor biomechanics

  • Genetics or family history

Common Symptoms:

  • Pain with walking, standing, or climbing stairs

  • Stiffness after sitting or resting

  • Difficulty getting in and out of a chair or car

  • Grinding or popping in the knee joint

  • Swelling, inflammation, and joint warmth

  • Reduced balance, stability, and mobility


Stages of Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis progresses over time, typically through four stages:

  1. Stage 1 (Minor): Little cartilage damage, minimal symptoms.

  2. Stage 2 (Mild): Some cartilage wear, mild discomfort with activity.

  3. Stage 3 (Moderate): Noticeable cartilage erosion, frequent pain and stiffness, decreased mobility.

  4. Stage 4 (Severe/Bone-on-Bone): Complete cartilage loss, significant joint space narrowing, constant pain, reduced function, often labeled as “bone-on-bone.”


SoftWave Therapy: Regenerating Knees at Every Stage—Even Bone-on-Bone

SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology is a non-invasive shockwave therapy that uses electrohydraulic supersonic acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing and regenerative processes.

Unlike cortisone injections or knee replacements that treat symptoms or remove parts of the joint, SoftWave stimulates the repair and regeneration of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels at the cellular level.

Scientific Benefits of SoftWave for Knee Osteoarthritis:

  • Reduces inflammation and joint swelling

  • Stimulates VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) for new blood vessel formation

  • Activates eNOS (Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase) to improve oxygen and nutrient delivery

  • Promotes PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) for tissue and cartilage repair

  • Mobilizes resident stem cells to regenerate damaged joint tissue

  • Modulates toll-like receptors to calm the immune response and reduce chronic joint inflammation

  • Flushes out senescent cells that impair healing

These mechanisms help regenerate soft tissue, reduce bone-on-bone friction, and improve joint function—even in advanced osteoarthritis cases.


Real Results from Patients Just Like You

At Integrative Physical Health, Dr. Tim and his team have helped numerous patients with stage 3 and stage 4 knee osteoarthritis achieve life-changing results:

  • Avoiding total knee replacement surgeries

  • Canceling repeat steroid injections

  • Walking more comfortably with less pain

  • Climbing stairs, standing up, and getting out of the car more easily

  • Regaining mobility and balance

  • Returning to favorite hobbies, activities, and exercise

Our patients often share that they feel stronger, more stable, and more independent after completing their SoftWave therapy plan.


A Non-Surgical Path to Knee Pain Relief and Recovery

If you’ve been told surgery is your only option—or you’re tired of managing your pain with medications and temporary injections—it’s time to explore a better way.

SoftWave Therapy is:

  • Non-surgical

  • Non-injection

  • Drug-free

  • Backed by science

  • Trusted by top clinics and professional sports teams worldwide

  • Effective for every stage of osteoarthritis—including bone-on-bone

Dr. Tim Ciolkosz and his team are here to guide you through a personalized care plan that supports real healing, improved function, and a better quality of life.

Request your SoftWave Therapy new patient visit online today


Contact Information

Integrative Physical Health
Pike Creek Sports Medicine Building
3105 Limestone Road, Suite 303
Wilmington, DE 19808
Phone: 302-510-6780
Website: https://integrativephysicalhealth.com
SoftWave Appointments: Request online here


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