Knee injuries are a common, whether caused by sports, age, or other natural occurrences. Our team at Washington Township Medical Foundation Orthopaedics is qualified to handle a broad range of knee injuries and conditions. If you have questions about our procedures we offer for various knee conditions, we encourage you to call our office. You can also learn more below.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Injury – ACL injuries are one of the leading types of knee injuries. This ligament runs diagonally through the center of the joint and works in conjunction with three separate ligaments to connect the upper leg bone or “femur” to the lower leg bone, or “tibia.” Athletes in certain sports are the most likely people to sustain ACL injuries, including those who participate in football, skiing, soccer, and basketball. Out of every 10 ACL injuries, only three will be caused by direct physical contact with another player or object. The remaining 7 occur during movement such as cutting, pivoting, or landing in a bad position. These injuries are typically joined by damage to surrounding ligaments, bone, cartilage, and / or the meniscus.
ACL Reconstruction – Symptoms of an ACL injury include pain, instability, and swelling in the immediate aftermath, with increased pain, swelling, loss of motion, tenderness, and discomfort as time passes. In most cases, if your orthopaedic surgeon recommends ACL reconstruction, they will not complete the surgery for a period of weeks after the injury, until the swelling has gone down. The torn ACL will be removed and replaced with a graft taken from ligament in another part of the body, typically the hamstring or knee. The choice of which graft to use is a discussion for you and your doctor. In some cases, ACL reconstruction surgery is not necessary. Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss all these options with you.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) – This surgical procedure is utilized to treat damage to the cartilage in the knee. This damage can occur because of an injury or the results of wear and tear over time. ACI is implemented only after conservative methods of treatment have been introduced and failed. Post-surgery, the patient will have to use physical therapy to return to mobility and functionality.
Cartilage Lesions – Damage to the articular cartilage is common. Some of the most common types of cartilage lesions in the knee include chondral fracture, osteochondritis dissecans / osteochondral fracture, chondral flap, and chondromalacia / degenerative chondrosis.
Knee Arthroscopy – This minimally invasive procedure utilizes a fiber-optic device called an arthroscope, which contains a light, magnifying lens, and camera, and allows your doctor to perform diagnosis or treatment of knee injuries and conditions. Many disorders in the knee can be treated arthroscopically, as opposed to traditional open surgery. Some of the benefits of this procedure include less scarring, quicker recovery, less bleeding in surgery, smaller incisions, and no muscle or tendon cutting.
Knee Osteoarthritis – Wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis is called osteoarthritis. This disease affects millions of people. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling. After your doctor has diagnosed the disease, he or she may treat the condition with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing, or physical therapy. Some serious cases require surgery.
Meniscus Tear Repair – The meniscus is most often torn when the knee is twisted or rotated. It can also be caused by degeneration with age. Your orthopaedic surgeon can repair the meniscus with an arthroscopic surgical procedure.
Osteoarticular Transfer System (OATS) – OATS is a procedure that involves replacing worn or damaged cartilage with strong cartilage taken from another part of the knee joint. This increases mobility and functionality in the knee while stopping pain.
Patellar Instability – The kneecap or patella is the hub or connection point between the shin bone or “tibia” and the muscles in the thigh. The kneecap sits in a groove that moves easily as you bend your leg. An unstable kneecap or patellar instability occurs when the patella is completely or partially displaced from the groove. Symptoms can include stiffness, swelling, sliding kneecap, pain in the front of the knee, creaking sounds in the knee, weakness, and pain that increases as you are active. Ask your doctor about treatment options for patellar instability / dislocation.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tears – Four ligaments serve to support the knee and to keep the shin bone in place. The PCL is one of these ligaments. While ACL injuries occur more frequently, about 20% of knee injuries are PCL injuries. In most cases, this occurs when something forcefully strikes the shin while in the knee is bent. Symptoms can include a feeling of instability in the joint, as well as pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion. Your orthopaedic surgeon will prescribe the right treatment for your unique case. Typically, surgery is implemented only for severe PCL tears. In most cases, the approach will be conservative.
Aseptic Prepatellar Bursitis – Commonly known as “housemaid’s knee,” aseptic prepatellar bursitis is symptomized by pain on the kneecap, swelling on the kneecap, and a loss of range of motion. Typically, this condition affects people whose jobs require them to work frequently with their weight on their knees, such as gardeners and plumbers. Treatment typically includes the “rest, ice, compression, elevation” approach or RICE, along with avoiding kneeling and possibly taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Ask your orthopaedic surgeon for his recommendations.
Runner's Knee – Patellofemoral pain syndrome or “runner’s knee” is an injury that affects runners and athletes and is often caused by overuse. Surgery is typically only recommended in rare and severe cases.
Find out more about common knee injuries and treatments at this site, which is presented by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and OrthoInfo: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/search/?q=knee.
Do you have questions about knee pain or a possible knee condition? There are many different types of knee pain and causes for loss of function, including those listed above. Call our team at Washington Township Medical Foundation Orthopaedics for an appointment with our sports medicine specialist.