Knee surgery is an umbrella term encompassing a wide range of procedures aimed at addressing injuries and conditions affecting the knee joint. It is performed by making one large or several small incisions in the knee to correct the underlying cause of the knee pain and disability.
Mostly, knee surgery is performed as a treatment of last resort to relieve knee pain and improve mobility. However, certain injuries of the knee require immediate knee surgery.
Let’s explore some common knee conditions that warrant surgery, their surgical solutions, and where you can go for outstanding knee surgery in Dover, NJ.
Knee Conditions That Warrant Surgery
Here are some common knee conditions that warrant surgical treatment.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis and a degenerative joint condition that occurs when the cartilage cushions the end of the bone in the knee joint wears down over time. The wearing of cartilage results in significant knee pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Knee surgery, such as knee replacement surgery, is considered the treatment of last resort for advanced osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This autoimmune condition causes inflammation in the joints, including the knee joint. In this type of arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, primarily synovium, which is the lining of the membrane surrounding the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes significant joint pain, swelling,and stiffness. The surgical interventions for rheumatoid arthritis include synovectomy (removal of synovium) or knee joint replacement (removal of damaged joint or its part and its replacement with artificial joint).
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a wedge-shaped cartilage present between the tailbone and shin bone and acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. Sudden movement can cause a tear in the meniscus.
Meniscus repair (a procedurein which torn tissues are sutured) andmeniscectomy (partial removal of damaged meniscus) are the surgical treatment options for meniscus tears.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major ligaments in the knee that helps stabilize the knee joint and prevent excessive forward movement of the shinbone in relation to the thigh bone. ACL tear is common among athletes and individuals who engage in sudden changes in direction, jumping, or sudden stops.
Knee surgery to correct anterior cruciate ligament tear is called ACL reconstruction. This procedure involves replacing the torn ACL with a graft, usually taken from the patient’s hamstring tendons, patellar tendon, or donor tendon. ACL reconstruction can be performed arthroscopically, a minimally invasive procedure involving small incisions and specialized instruments.
Patellar Disorders
This knee condition encompasses a range of conditions that affect the patella (kneecap) and its surrounding structures. Patellar tendonitis, or jumpers’ knee, and patellar dislocation are the most common patellar disorders requiring surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail.
The surgical procedure for patellar disorders involvesrealigning the patella and repairing the damaged tendon.
Open Fracture
An open fracture involves the bone breaking through the skin, which poses a risk of infection. Knee surgery is performed immediately after an open tibia fracture and fibula near the knee. During the surgical procedure, the wound is cleaned, and bones are aligned and stabilized.
Knee Surgery at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey
It is important to note that knee surgery is not always the first treatment option. Instead, a knee surgeon initially tries conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, injections, and lifestyle modifications to manageknee problems.
The decision to undergo knee surgery depends on factors, such as the patient’s overall health,the severity of the knee problem, and the treatment goals.
At Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, our orthopedic specialist aims to deliver quick and comprehensive treatment of injuries and conditions affecting bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Our orthopedic specialists stress conservative treatment options when appropriate and expertly deliver minimally invasive surgical options, such as arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder,total replacement surgery of knee, shoulder, and hip,and cervical or lumbar spine surgery.
To schedule a consultation with one of our knee doctors, call our office today at (973) 989-0888 or use our online appointment request form.
