Knee

The knee is the largest joint in the human body and is vulnerable to injury, including sports injury, and is susceptible to osteoarthritis.

The highly skilled orthopedic surgeons at SOC treat a broad range of knee-related injuries and conditions, including:

  • Meniscus injuries
  • Overuse injury
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Tendon injuries

Knee Surgeries and Treatments

Depending on the condition being treated, options for treatment may include open-incision or minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical procedures on the following:

Meniscus Tears

Meniscus refers to one of two crescent-shaped cartilages in the knee. Tears of the meniscus are common and can often cause knee problems. While most meniscus tears require removal of the torn tissue (partial meniscectomy), some tear patterns are responsive to repair.

ACL Tears

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a ligament in the center of the knee. If the ligament is torn, it does not heal and cannot be repaired. There are many techniques of surgical reconstruction, including the use of the patient’s own tissue or tissue from a tissue bank.

Articular Cartilage Injuries

Articular cartilage is the smooth surface that lines the end of the bones of the knee. If damage occurs from chronic overuse, surgical intervention may be required. Options vary from arthroscopic debridement to osteoarticular transplantation (OATs).

Synovitis

The synovium is soft tissue that lines the inside of the knee. Inflammation of this lining is called synovitis, and may require knee arthroscopy to resolve symptoms.

Collateral Ligament Tears

The knee has two collateral ligaments. The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) is on the inside of the knee, and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) is on the outside of the knee. Tears to these ligaments may require open-incision surgery or reconstruction.

Patella (Kneecap) Dislocations

When the patella dislocates, ligaments can stretch or tear, or the cartilage of the femur or patella can be chipped off. Surgical options include arthroscopic or open surgery to clean, realign, repair or reconstruct the soft tissues of the knee. Tibial tubercle osteotomy is a re-alignment procedure that involves moving the bony attachment of the patellar tendon.

Multi-ligament Knee Injuries (Knee Dislocations)

If two or more ligaments of the knee are completely torn, it is classified as a knee dislocation. These are complex injuries that often require initial evaluation in an emergency room. One or more surgical procedures may be required to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligaments.

Tendon Ruptures (Patella and Quadriceps)

The patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon can tear from high-energy sports injuries or traumatic falls. A rupture of either tendon usually requires surgical repair.

Loose Bodies

Cartilage or other substances sometimes break off inside the knee joint and become “loose bodies,” usually necessitating surgical removal through arthroscopy.

Knee Fractures

The four bones of the knee can all be injured and break. Fractures of the distal femur (end of the thigh bone), proximal tibia (top of the shin bone), proximal fibula and patella (knee cap) may require surgery to stabilize the area as it heals.