Knee Restoration Program in Lighthouse Point, FL — Non-Surgical Relief for Knee Pain
If you've been told your only option is knee replacement surgery, you owe it to yourself to explore what Dr. Carol McNamara Krauss has been offering patients across South Florida since 1986. The Knee Restoration Program at McNamara Chiropractic Center combines three clinically proven, non-surgical therapies into one integrated protocol — designed specifically for people dealing with knee osteoarthritis, meniscus degeneration, chronic knee pain, and post-surgical stiffness.
This isn't a single-modality approach. It's a layered treatment protocol that addresses joint mechanics, tissue inflammation, and cellular repair simultaneously.
What Is the Knee Restoration Program?
The Knee Restoration Program is a structured, multi-week course of treatment that uses three technologies in combination:
- Knee-on-Trac® — Mechanical knee joint distraction
- Class IV Laser Therapy — Deep-tissue photobiomodulation
- Shockwave Therapy — Acoustic pulse regeneration
Each modality does something different. Together, they address the problem from multiple angles — which is why the outcomes are consistently better than single-modality treatment.
The Equipment: What You're Actually Getting
Knee-on-Trac®
The Knee-on-Trac® is a computerized traction device engineered specifically for the knee joint. Unlike generic traction or decompression tables, this system is designed exclusively for knees.
During treatment, your leg is positioned in the device and a precisely calibrated distraction force is applied to the joint space. This creates negative pressure (decompression) inside the joint — drawing synovial fluid back into the cartilage, reducing bone-on-bone compression, and creating space for tissue healing.
For patients with knee osteoarthritis, this decompression effect can meaningfully reduce pain and improve mobility without medication or injections. For meniscus degeneration, creating space in the joint allows compressed tissue to decompress and begin the healing process.
Sessions typically run 15–20 minutes in the device.
Class IV Laser Therapy
Class IV laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation or cold laser therapy at therapeutic doses) uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into tissue — reaching the joint capsule, cartilage, and surrounding musculature that topical treatments never touch.
At the cellular level, laser energy stimulates mitochondrial activity, increasing ATP production and accelerating the tissue repair cycle. It also reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes vascularization — essentially turning up the body's own repair mechanisms.
For the knee, this means reduced swelling, faster recovery between sessions, and improved long-term tissue health.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy delivers focused acoustic pulses to damaged tissue. Originally developed for kidney stones, the technology was adapted for musculoskeletal applications because of its ability to break down calcifications, stimulate collagen production, and trigger neovascularization in chronically inflamed tissue.
For chronic knee conditions where normal healing has stalled — old injuries, long-standing arthritis, post-surgical scar tissue — shockwave creates the initial "wound signal" that restarts the healing cascade.
Who Is This Program For?
The Knee Restoration Program is appropriate for patients dealing with:
- Knee osteoarthritis — grades I through III, including bone-on-bone presentations
- Meniscus degeneration — degenerative tears, not acute traumatic tears requiring surgery
- Chronic knee pain — pain that has persisted for 3+ months despite rest, NSAIDs, or PT
- Post-surgical stiffness — after partial meniscectomy, ACL repair, or previous knee replacement
- Patellar tendinopathy — chronic "jumper's knee" or anterior knee pain
- Baker's cyst associated with arthritis — often resolves as underlying pathology improves
This program is not a replacement for surgical evaluation when surgery is genuinely indicated. Dr. McNamara will be direct with you about whether you're a candidate. But for the large majority of patients who've been told they "need" a knee replacement, conservative care with this protocol is worth attempting first.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
Your first visit begins with a thorough evaluation — Dr. McNamara reviews your history, examines the joint, and reviews any imaging you have. She may recommend X-rays if you don't have recent ones.
If you're a candidate for the program, a treatment schedule is established — typically 12–20 sessions over 4–8 weeks, depending on severity.
A typical session:
- Check-in and brief assessment — How did you respond to the last session? Pain scale, functional changes noted.
- Knee-on-Trac® distraction — 15–20 minutes at protocol-specific tension and angle.
- Class IV Laser — Applied over the joint, typically 8–12 minutes depending on dosing.
- Shockwave — Targeted to the areas of most chronic involvement, 5–10 minutes.
Total session time is typically 45–60 minutes.
Realistic Outcomes
Most patients begin noticing a reduction in pain and improved range of motion within the first 4–6 sessions. Full program outcomes vary based on severity and how long the condition has been present, but common results include:
- Significant reduction in daily pain levels
- Improved ability to walk, climb stairs, and participate in normal activities
- Reduced dependency on NSAIDs or pain medication
- Delayed or eliminated need for knee replacement surgery
- Improved joint function measurable on follow-up evaluation
Dr. McNamara has been delivering these outcomes for patients from Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and across Broward and Palm Beach counties since 1986. She has seen what works and what doesn't, and she will be straight with you about expectations.
Dr. Carol McNamara Krauss — 40 Years of Chiropractic Care
Dr. McNamara earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from Life Chiropractic College in 1985 and has been in practice since 1986. Her Florida chiropractic physician license (CH5281) is active through 2028. She has additional training in pediatric chiropractic and radiology, and her clinical experience spans four decades of treating South Florida patients.
Her practice is built around being direct, thorough, and genuinely effective. Patients like Jules — who has been coming for over 20 years — and Mike Taylor — over a decade — come back because the care actually works.
Patient Voices
"My family has been going to Dr McNamara for over 20 years. She is absolutely amazing — knowledgeable, caring, and genuinely invested in your health. We would not go anywhere else." — Jules
"Dr. McNamara is hands-down one of the best chiropractors I've ever worked with. She listens, she cares, and her treatments are highly effective." — Tatiana Lee-Chee
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Knee Restoration Program covered by insurance? Coverage varies by plan. We accept major insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and self-pay. Call our office at (954) 943-1100 and we'll verify your benefits before your first visit.
How many sessions will I need? Most patients complete 12–20 sessions over 4–8 weeks. Mild to moderate cases often see strong results in 12 sessions. More advanced presentations may require the full 20-session protocol.
Is Knee-on-Trac® the same as regular traction? No. Standard traction is non-specific. The Knee-on-Trac® is engineered specifically for the knee joint with computerized tension control and specific joint positioning. The mechanism and outcomes are distinct.
Will I feel pain during treatment? The Knee-on-Trac® creates a gentle pulling sensation — not painful. Laser therapy is painless and produces a mild warming sensation. Shockwave can be uncomfortable over very tender areas but is well-tolerated by most patients.
Can I do this if I already had a partial knee replacement or other knee surgery? Possibly. Post-surgical patients are evaluated case by case. Many patients with residual pain or stiffness after surgery respond well. Dr. McNamara will review your surgical history and imaging to determine candidacy.
How does this compare to cortisone injections? Injections reduce inflammation temporarily but do not address the underlying structural degradation. The Knee Restoration Program aims to improve the tissue itself, not just mask symptoms.
What if I also have lower back issues contributing to my knee pain? Very common. Dr. McNamara will evaluate your full kinetic chain. Many patients benefit from concurrent Spinal Decompression Program treatment.
What should I wear to sessions? Comfortable shorts or pants that can be rolled above the knee. Bring any prior MRI, X-ray, or imaging reports to your first visit.
Do you offer a consultation before committing to the full program? Yes. Your first visit includes a full evaluation. You'll know whether you're a candidate before any treatment begins.
What cities do you serve for this program? Our office is in Lighthouse Point on N. Federal Highway. We regularly see patients from Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, and Margate.
How do I get started? Call (954) 943-1100 or contact us online. Our office is at 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064.
Ready to Start?
Call (954) 943-1100 or schedule a consultation online. Office hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8am–6pm, Tuesday 2pm–6pm.
Located at 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 — on US-1 just north of Pompano Beach.
Ready to Feel Better?
Call us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Carol McNamara.