What Is Knee-On Trac?
Knee-On Trac is an FDA-registered pneumatic traction device specifically engineered to decompress the knee joint — without surgery, needles, or medication. Unlike braces or passive stretches that exert force on surrounding muscles and ligaments, Knee-On Trac applies controlled, calibrated traction directly to the joint itself. This creates a negative intra-articular pressure inside the knee that draws synovial fluid back into the joint space, reduces inflammatory pressure on cartilage and nerve endings, and allows damaged cartilage tissue to begin rehydrating and repairing.
Think of it as spinal decompression — but for your knee. Just as disc decompression therapy creates negative pressure in a spinal disc to pull herniated material back and stimulate healing, Knee-On Trac applies the same principle to the knee joint. The result is measurable reduction in pain, improved range of motion, and — for many patients — a genuine alternative to cortisone injections or total knee replacement surgery.
At Central Illinois Spine, Knee-On Trac is integrated into a comprehensive knee rehabilitation program that combines traction therapy with targeted physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the knee joint — giving you lasting results, not just temporary relief.
How Knee-On Trac Treatment Works
Each Knee-On Trac session follows a consistent, personalized protocol designed to maximize therapeutic benefit while maintaining complete patient comfort:
Comprehensive Knee Evaluation
Your provider performs a thorough assessment of your knee — reviewing imaging (X-ray or MRI if available), testing range of motion, evaluating joint stability, and documenting your pain pattern. This determines whether you are a good candidate for Knee-On Trac and establishes your starting traction settings.
Customized Traction Settings
Traction force, cycle timing, and session duration are dialed in specifically for your condition and body. Settings are adjusted progressively over the course of your treatment program as your knee responds and tolerates increased decompression.
20-Minute Traction Session
You recline comfortably while the Knee-On Trac device applies gentle, rhythmic traction to the knee joint. Most patients experience a gentle pulling sensation and find sessions relaxing. There is no pain — if any discomfort occurs, settings are adjusted immediately. Sessions typically run 20 minutes.
Progressive Treatment Plan
Your program progresses over 12–20 sessions, typically 2–3 times per week. Between traction sessions, you may receive complementary physical therapy exercises to strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and stabilizing muscles around the knee — maximizing and prolonging the benefits of each decompression session.
Knee Conditions We Treat
Knee-On Trac therapy is effective for a wide range of degenerative and inflammatory knee conditions. Our providers at Central Illinois Spine commonly treat:
Osteoarthritis
Knee-On Trac is most commonly used for grades 1–3 osteoarthritis, relieving the bone-on-bone pressure that causes chronic pain and stiffness. Many patients experience significant relief without injections or surgery.
Meniscus Tears
Partial and degenerative meniscus tears respond well to decompression therapy, which reduces compressive loads on the torn tissue and creates conditions for natural healing of the fibrocartilage.
Post-Surgical Knee Pain
Patients who continue to experience pain after knee arthroscopy, partial meniscectomy, or other knee procedures can benefit from Knee-On Trac as part of a post-surgical rehabilitation program to restore joint health.
Knee Joint Degeneration
General wear-and-tear degeneration of the knee joint — whether from aging, prior athletic activity, or occupational stress — leads to cartilage thinning and pain that Knee-On Trac directly addresses by improving joint nutrition and mechanics.
Chronic Knee Inflammation
Persistent inflammation caused by synovitis or repetitive stress responds to the decompressive effect of Knee-On Trac, which reduces intra-articular pressure and allows inflammatory byproducts to clear from the joint space.
Baker's Cyst
Baker's cysts (popliteal cysts) form when excess synovial fluid accumulates at the back of the knee. By reducing joint inflammation and improving fluid dynamics through decompression, Knee-On Trac often helps Baker's cysts resolve without aspiration.
Benefits of Knee-On Trac Therapy
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Non-surgical — No incisions, no anesthesia, no hospital stay. Knee-On Trac is a completely conservative, office-based treatment that requires zero recovery time.
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Drug-free — Unlike cortisone injections and NSAIDs that mask pain without addressing the underlying joint damage, Knee-On Trac treats the root cause — decompressing the joint and stimulating natural healing mechanisms.
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No downtime — Sessions take approximately 20 minutes, and you can return to normal daily activities immediately after each visit. There is no rehabilitation period between sessions.
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Covered by most insurance — Many major health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover knee traction therapy when medically necessary. Our team verifies your benefits before your first appointment.
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Same-week appointments — Central Illinois Spine offers flexible scheduling with morning and afternoon availability Monday through Friday. Most new patients can be seen within the same week they call.