How Proteases Destroy Cartilage and What You Can Do About It
If you’re dealing with chronic knee pain, especially from arthritis or joint degeneration, you’ve likely heard the usual explanations: wear and tear, old injuries, genetics. But there’s one overlooked villain that may be driving your ongoing cartilage loss — and most people (and even many doctors) don’t talk about it.
That villain?
Proteases.
And at Freedom Integrated Medicine in South Jordan, Utah, we don’t just mask the pain — we target the source of the damage. Think of it like exterminating termites before you start rebuilding your house.
What Are Proteases?
Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins in the body. Normally, they help clean up damaged tissue during the healing process. But in cases of chronic inflammation — like osteoarthritis or old injuries — these enzymes can spiral out of control.
When that happens, proteases begin attacking your healthy cartilage, speeding up joint degeneration and creating a vicious cycle of pain, swelling, and more damage.
In fact, researchers have identified several types of proteases (like MMPs and ADAMTS) that are highly active in degenerated joints. These enzymes break down collagen and proteoglycans — the key building blocks of healthy cartilage.
Why Typical Treatments Fall Short
Cortisone shots, NSAIDs, and ice packs might reduce pain temporarily, but they don’t address the ongoing biochemical damage caused by proteases.
It’s like painting over mold on your wall without fixing the leak.
Until you inhibit the proteases, your cartilage continues to break down — even if you’re not feeling much pain at the moment.
Our Approach: Stop the Destruction, Then Rebuild
At Freedom Integrated Medicine, our regenerative medicine protocols are designed to interrupt the degenerative process and support healing at a cellular level.
Here’s how:
🛑 Step 1: Inhibit the Proteases
We use specific injections and regenerative therapies that are shown to neutralize or block the activity of destructive enzymes inside the knee joint. One of the most effective options we use is A2M (Alpha-2-Macroglobulin) — a powerful protease inhibitor naturally found in your blood. When concentrated and injected into the joint, A2M can bind to the proteases and shut them down.
This is like exterminating the termites. We stop the active damage before we start repairing the structure.
🔧 Step 2: Regenerate and Strengthen
Once the destructive process is under control, we layer in therapies to stimulate healing and regrowth of the joint. These may include:
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) to deliver concentrated growth factors
- Class IV laser therapy to reduce inflammation and enhance cellular repair
- Knee decompression to improve joint space and reduce bone-on-bone friction
- Supplements and peptides that promote collagen synthesis and reduce oxidative stress
Each patient’s plan is customized to the condition of their joint and their goals — whether that’s walking without a limp, playing pickleball again, or just sleeping without aching knees.
Why It Works
When you remove the source of damage (proteases) and support the body’s natural healing systems, cartilage breakdown slows or stops — and your body can finally catch up and heal.
Many of our patients who were told they were “bone-on-bone” or “too far gone” are now back to walking, working out, and living pain-free — without surgery.
Are You Treating the Termites?
If you’re treating knee pain but ignoring the enzymes breaking down your cartilage, you’re fighting an uphill battle. At Freedom Integrated Medicine, we’re here to help you win that battle by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
📍 Freedom Integrated Medicine – South Jordan, Utah
📞 801-571-1338
🌐 www.freedomclinicutah.com
Call today to schedule a consultation or Zoom appointment and find out if you’re a candidate for this groundbreaking approach.
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