Knee Injuries
Orthopedic Knee Injuries & Conditions
SPECIALISTS IN KNEE INJURIES AND CONDITIONS
Dr. Matthew Daggett
Dr. Tim Roberts
Dr. Kevin Witte
Dr. Matt Cullen
Dr. Michael Dempewolf
Dr. Christopher Eckland
Knee Injury Overview
As the largest joint in the body, and one of the most complex, the knee plays an important role in one’s everyday life. If you are experiencing knee pain, simple tasks such as walking and standing may become difficult, so it’s important to diagnose and seek treatment in a timely manner.
Knee pain can be categorized as acute or chronic. An acute injury happens suddenly and is typically associated with trauma. An example is an athlete pivoting suddenly and tearing his ACL ligament in his knee. With a chronic injury, symptoms gradually worsen over time. Knee osteoarthritis is an example of chronic pain.
About Knee Pain
Because of the knee’s placement, it tends to get a great deal of use whether you keep a very active lifestyle, or one that tends to be more sedentary. The knee is primarily comprised of three main bones: the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). In addition, there are tendons and ligaments that help connect the bones to other bones and muscles as well as cartilage that can help your knee bones move smoothly across one another.
If any of these structures are injured or weakened, the result is a pain radiating in your knee region. Knee pain can also be triggered by other problems that can affect the area, such as a foot or ankle injury. This pain will continue to be aggravated due to exercise or general activity over time, and may require advanced treatment or surgery if it becomes too severe.
Knee pain can commonly be grouped into a few different categories including acute injuries and overuse injuries. However, it’s important to seek help from a qualified orthopedic doctor to properly diagnose the injury prior to treatment. The below examples are only a small percentage of the possible causes.
If you are currently experiencing knee pain, you are most likely seeking quick resolve from the issue. While there are many opportunities for prevention, the level of severity will determine any possible treatment options
ACL Repair/Reconstruction
An ACL repair/reconstruction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that treats an ACL tear. Sano Orthopedics knee specialists use the latest surgical techniques and instruments to perform ACL repair/reconstruction procedures. Patients recover quickly and return to activities and sports with minimal to no restrictions.
Anterolateral Ligament (ALL) Repair
Anterolateral Ligament is a ligament on the outside of the knee that plays an important role in knee stability. It is often injured in most ACL tears.
Sano Orthopedics knee specialists are leading international research and techniques on ALL repairs.
Knee Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joint, and osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis that affects the knee. Over time, the cartilage in the knee joint wears down. Without this protective cushion between the bones, bone-to-bone rubbing occurs which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee.
Knee Replacements
Typically, arthritis is the most common reason for knee replacement surgery to be performed. For those with severe joint deterioration in their knees, everyday life can be a struggle. Chronic pain from damaged knee cartilage can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs or even stand.
When medication and physical therapy fails to relieve knee pain and improve range-of-motion, knee replacement surgery may be necessary.
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Cartilage Restoration
Cartilage Restoration is a procedure where a patient’s knee is resurfaced, realigned and stabilized. It is used as an alternative method of treatment to a total knee replacement.
Articular cartilage is a firm and smooth covering on the ends of bones that protects and cushions the joint. Injuries to this cartilage can often cause pain and swelling. If partially or fully detached injured cartilage can cause mechanical symptoms such as “locking up or “catching.”
Cartilage restoration is especially effective in patients who are active and under 50 years of age.
Knee Sprains & Fractures
The major differentiation between a fracture in comparison to all of the aforementioned injuries is that a fracture signifies a break in the bone. Although typically very small, these fractures can result in a large amount of pain and potential complications.
There are several different types of fractures that a person can have, such as:
- An oblique fracture
- A stable fracture
- A compound fracture
- A comminuted fracture
- A transverse fracture
It is important to seek professional treatment for a fracture in order to set the bone properly before it begins to heal. A bone that has healed in an abnormal way will almost certainly cause long-term pain and discomfort for the patient.
Knee Injections
Orthopedic injections are a conservative, non-surgical treatment method for many experiencing knee pain. Depending on the injury, level of pain, and patient history, injections may be the right treatment. At Sano, we offer several injections, including orthobiologics. These include:
- Cortisone injections
- Viscosupplementation
- PRP
- BMAC
These in-office procedures alleviate pain and keep you moving.
Common Symptoms:
Swelling and redness
An inability to fully extend your knee
Problems walking or a shifting of weight
Locking of the knee (inability to bend)
Limping
Overuse Injuries:
Tendonitis
Degeneration or stress of the Patella
Acute Injuries
Ligament injuries (ACL, ALL)
Fractures and breaks
ACL, MCL tears
Meniscus tears
Dislocations
Why Choose Sano?
We know that knee surgery isn’t always necessary, and is certainly not the first or only method of treatment. Our goal is to relieve pain and help restore the proper function and alignment of the knee with a treatment plan that fits your need. Our qualified team takes their extensive training and fellowship and puts them to use in developing a unique treatment plan for you. Not to mention, our physicians have been leading research in the United States for ligament injuries, so you can be confident in the approach our team takes in returning you to your active lifestyle.
Dr. Kevin Witte
Dr. Kevin Witte is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee ligament repair and reconstruction, total knee replacements, partial knee replacement, patella instability & pain syndrome, cartilage restoration and meniscus treatments.
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Dr. Michael Dempewolf
Dr. Dempewolf is a board-certified and dual fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. This includes knee ligament repair and reconstruction, patella instability & pain syndrome, cartilage restoration, and meniscus treatments.
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Dr. Matthew Daggett
Dr. Daggett is a board-certified and dual fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee ligament repair and reconstruction, patella instability & pain syndrome, cartilage restoration and meniscus treatments.
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Dr. Matt Cullen
Dr. Matt Cullen is a sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee ligament repair and reconstruction, total knee replacements, partial knee replacement, patella instability & pain syndrome, cartilage restoration, and meniscus treatments.
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Dr. Tim Roberts
Dr. Tim Roberts is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in total knee replacements, robotic knee replacements, and partial knee replacements.
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Dr. Chris Eckland
Dr. Chris Eckland is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in total knee replacements, knee ligament reconstruction and repair, robotic knee replacements, and partial knee replacements.
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