Knee pain is a common ailment among people of all ages. According to one study, knee replacement surgery has increased eight times in the United States among men and women age 65 and older. And in another study, it was found that the knee is the most commonly injured joint among adolescents, accounting for 2.5 million visits to the emergency room every year.
A knee injury may be the result of an accident or collision, overuse or misuse, or a medical condition, such as arthritis. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat knee pain. And if you need surgery, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. J. Michael Bennett can give you a thorough evaluation and discuss your options.
There are many kinds of knee injuries, and they can result in pain, redness, swelling, and limited mobility. Your knee is made up of tendons, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and your knee joint. A knee injury can affect any or all of these parts. Common knee injuries include:
Dr. Bennett usually recommends nonsurgical treatments first before discussing surgical options. These treatments may include taking over-the-counter medications to help with pain and inflammation, wearing a brace for support, and doing physical therapy exercises.
If these treatments don't work to relieve your symptoms, or if you have an injury that won't heal on its own, Dr. Bennett may discuss knee surgery. The type and severity of your injury will determine the type of surgery he recommends. Surgery options include:
Arthroscopy involves Dr. Bennett making a small incision and then inserting a thin, long instrument with a camera on the end, called an arthroscope. The camera sends images of the knee to a video monitor to help Dr. Bennett diagnose the injury and repair it.
This type of surgery requires a larger incision to open the area and repair the knee. Open surgery requires more recovery time than arthroscopic surgery.
ACL reconstruction surgery is a common orthopedic procedure, especially among athletes. Although it's common, about 10 % of these surgeries fail. Dr. Bennett performs both primary ACL surgery and also revision surgeries on failed procedures.
When your knee becomes too damaged, and your pain restricts your quality of life, a partial or total knee replacement can help. Dr. Bennett removes the damaged bone and cartilage and replaces part or all of it with sturdy parts made out of metal, ceramic, or plastic.
To see if knee surgery is right for you or if any other options may help, book an appointment online or over the phone with the office of Dr. J. Michael Bennett today.
