Knee pain may be described as sharp, dull, or throbbing – and is either acute or chronic, persistent or intermittent. It may even be accompanied by other symptoms such as bruising, swelling, stiffness, and a limited range of motion. The symptoms you experience will depend on the cause of your knee pain, whether it’s an injury or arthritis.
When you see an orthopedic surgeon, you will likely undergo a thorough evaluation that includes diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI. The doctor will then prescribe the least-invasive treatment that will work to heal your injury or relieve your knee pain. Nonsurgical treatments include prescription medication, physical therapy, and pain-relief injections.
If you’ve tried the conservative treatment methods but they do not work, then knee surgery may be recommended by your doctor. There are now minimally invasive methods for even a total knee reconstruction, so you may enjoy an outpatient procedure and go home later the same day. Let’s take a look at the modern methods and who you can talk to in order to find out more.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic joint surgery is a diagnostic and treatment procedure in one. Using an arthroscope, which is a thin tube with a fiber-optic camera function attached at the end, the orthopedic surgeon examines your knee and simultaneously makes the necessary repairs needed to resolve the problem.
Frequent repairs that are made during arthroscopic knee surgery are repairing a meniscus (a section of cartilage in your knee), repairing a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and removing tiny loose bone fragments. All of these issues can cause festering knee pain.
Knee Reconstruction Surgery
For patients with chronic and debilitating knee pain due to injury, arthritis, or another type of degenerative condition, the orthopedic surgeon may recommend joint reconstruction surgery. This will be performed as either partial or total knee replacement, removing the diseased or damaged tissues and replacing them with prosthetic parts.
Both arthroscopic surgery and joint reconstruction surgery are minimally invasive, requiring only tiny incisions. This means there is less damage to the surrounding tissues, less blood loss during surgery, smaller scars, and a faster recovery as compared to traditional open surgery.
Physical Therapy After a Knee Operation
A critical aspect of fully and properly recovering from knee surgery is physical therapy, which includes specific stretching and strengthening exercises. This physical rehabilitation phase will help you to restore your knee’s range of motion, and your therapist will show you how to use your new knee without damaging it.
Orthopedic Treatment for Chronic Knee Pain in Northeast Ohio
Here at Orthopaedic Associates, our medical team specializes in helping our patients return to their normal lives or enhance their sports performance. If you are suffering from knee pain, our compassionate orthopedic surgeons know how to efficiently perform an evaluation, provide a diagnosis, give you your options, and provide the medical service you choose.
We bring together diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation under one roof. Our treatments for knee pain combine traditional proven methods and new, highly advanced methods and procedures.
To request an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists, contact Orthopaedic Associates today by calling (440) 892-1440 or (866) 362-7624. We look forward to helping you live a more pain-free lifestyle once again!
