Orthopedic Knee Surgery in St. Louis
Missouri Orthopedics & Advanced Sports MedicineKnee Treatments
The knee is a vital joint that unfortunately is susceptible to injuries and wear-and-tear. Whether you were injured playing sports or have arthritis, experiencing knee pain on a regular basis is debilitating. Typical daily activities like walking, going up steps, or getting up and down out of a chair become difficult or even impossible. The experienced orthopedic team at Missouri Orthopedics & Advanced Sports Medicine will help provide relief for your knee pain and get you back to life as quickly and as safely as possible.
Partial and Total Knee Replacement
Thousands of people every year require some form of knee replacement surgery to repair a damaged and diseased knee joint. Depending on the amount of damage present, you may require a partial or total knee replacement. In a total knee replacement, every portion of the joint is outfitted with an artificial prosthesis. For those with only some damage, a partial replacement is simply repairing either the inside or the outside of the joint. With either case, knee replacement surgery will improve your mobility and overall quality of life. Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss which option is right for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
For more information about knee replacement procedures, view our FAQ section below.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to diagnose and treat a wide variety of knee problems. A tiny camera is inserted through a small incision, showing the doctor images on a monitor he can use to guide small surgical instruments for the procedure. Arthroscopic knee surgery is commonly used after nonsurgical treatments have failed for a torn meniscus, torn anterior cruciate ligament, removal of loose bone or cartilage, kneecap problems, and more. Recovery is typically shorter than with traditional surgery and results in less pain and joint stiffness. To find out if knee arthroscopy is right for you, contact us.
Ligament Reconstruction in the Knee
(ACL, MCL, PCL and LCL)
There are four major ligaments that help keep the knee stable:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Located in the center of the knee and is responsible for rotation and forward movement of the shin.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Located in the center of the knee and is responsible for backward movement of the shin.
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Provides stability for the inner knee.
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Provides stability to the outer knee.
Unfortunately, these ligaments are prone to injuries and tears, especially for those involved in sports. Some injuries can be treated with nonsurgical options, but if a tear should occur, surgery may be the best option for repair. If necessary, ligament reconstruction surgery is performed using minimally-invasive, arthroscopic techniques. If you’ve experienced a recent injury to a ligament in your knee, contact us to schedule an exam, and we will discuss the treatment options that are right for you.
Meniscus Tear Surgery
The meniscus is a c-shaped disc of cartilage in the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone. Each knee has two menisci that help keep it stable and provide a degree of shock absorption. Athletes participating in contact sports are prone to meniscus tears, although anyone may experience one simply by kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy objects. A tear may cause swelling and stiffness, as well as pain when twisting and an inability to fully straighten the leg. Small tears may be treated non-surgically, but if treatment is unsuccessful, or the injury is more severe, arthroscopic surgical repair will be recommended. To determine the best treatment for your meniscus injury, contact us to schedule an exam.
Knee Fracture Care
The knee joint is the meeting point of several bones, including the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella. A fall, car accident, sports injury, or other direct hits to the knee can lead to a fracture on any of these bones within the joint. Pain, swelling, tenderness, difficulty bending the joint, and even a change in the shape of the leg are all symptoms of a possible knee fracture. Treatment for fractures ranges from simply splinting the knee to surgery depending on how severe the injury is as determined by the orthopedic specialist. Seeking treatment right away will help prevent improper healing, so if you have recently experienced a knee injury, Contact us to schedule an exam.
Knee Replacement FAQs
When should I consider knee replacement surgery?
If you are experiencing severe pain due to osteoarthritis, or have issues with simple daily activities like walking, knee replacement surgery may be necessary. However, undergoing surgery is a decision that may not be right for everyone, so be sure to discuss treatment options with your orthopedic doctor.
What risks are associated with knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery carries many of the same risks as other surgical procedures. There is a small risk of infection, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage. Your doctor will discuss these risks in more detail with you prior to surgery.
What is the recovery like after knee replacement surgery?
Recovery may look different for each patient depending upon age and physical health prior to the procedure. You may require crutches or a walker for several weeks after surgery. Most daily activities can be resumed three to six weeks after surgery, and low-impact activities can be enjoyed after recovery. Be sure to discuss limitations with your doctor to avoid re-injury.
Are there alternative treatments to knee replacement surgery?
Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and supplements, corticosteroid injections, arthroscopic surgery, or an osteotomy surgical procedure are potential treatment options prior to total knee replacement. However, knee replacement is the most effective at relieving constant pain and may be required even after alternative treatments have been used.