Say “Hello” to your knee, that indispensable joint where three
bones meet in the middle of your leg. These are the femur or thighbone,
tibia or shinbone, and patella or kneecap. Adjoining muscles, cartilage,
ligaments, and tendons also help your knee function so you can do normal
activities such as walking, or more strenuous ones such as running, cycling,
swimming, or riding horses.
The knee has the distinction of being the largest joint in your body—a
hinge joint—that can bend, stretch, and turn. Knees may “show
their age,” or may bother you because of an injury or ongoing stress
to the joint. When it can’t do those “normal” things,
or when doing them causes you pain or becomes debilitating, it may be
time to seek professional help from a skilled orthopedic surgeon.
Assessing Your Knee
From winning athletes to active seniors in training, we welcome the opportunity
to develop a personalized treatment plan for your knee problem.
In addition to a physical examination and taking your medical history,
your orthopedic surgeon may decide to do the following diagnostic imaging
tests to learn more about what’s causing your problem.
X-ray
Computerized tomography or CT scan
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI
Radionuclide bone scan
Arthrocentesis to remove a fluid sample for analysis
Symptoms and Conditions We Treat
Here at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, we diagnose and treat the
full gamut of conditions and injuries that cause knee pain, including:
Arthritis
Avascular necrosis
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
Bursitis
Cartilage tear
Dislocation
Fractures
Infection
Knee deformities
Kneecap instability
Knee loose bodies
Knee malalignment syndrome
Ligament injury such as ACL tears
Meniscus injury
Sports-related knee injury, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome
Tendonitis
Trauma-related knee injury
Nonsurgical Treatments for Knee Conditions
First, know that surgery is not always the first method of treatment for
knee problems. Your orthopedic surgeon may first recommend:
Ice or cryotherapy
Rest or modification of activities
Splinting or immobilization: These restrict movement that allows you to heal faster.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Those most often used include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can ease pain but not inflammation.
Corticosteroids: These may be injected into the knee joint to provide temporary pain relief
and reduce swelling, but these are not always successful. Injections are
usually limited to four times annually.
Hyaluronic acid: This natural lubricant may also be injected to boost mobility and relieve
pain. Again, relief is temporary but could be up to six months for what’s
also called “rooster shots.”
Platelet-rich plasma: This injection is made from your blood cells called platelets, that contain
growth factors to help injured tissue heal faster. The blood is taken
from your arm.
Physical therapy: Committing to a program and following directions may increase knee range
of motion and flexibility and diminish pain.
Weight loss: If you are obese, losing weight can also relieve stress on your joints,
including your knee.
What’s Making Your Knee Uncomfortable?
If you’re experiencing any of the following, you may need to see
an orthopedic surgeon:
Pain
Swelling
Stiffness—maybe you can’t completely straighten your knee
Weakness
Odd noises: crunch, pop
Something just looks “off”
Experts in Knee Surgery
Arthroscopy
Cartilage restoration
Computer navigation knee replacement
CT scan-guided surgery
Partial knee replacement
Revision knee replacement
Total knee replacement
With knee replacements, the smart knee implant, Persona IQ®, computer
chip to monitor functional recovery progress, range of motion, gait, and more
Patient specific instrumentation
Minimally Invasive Surgery
If your surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure, that means less
of the tissue in the knee will be cut, using smaller incisions that disturb
less of that tissue. Your surgeon will determine if you are a suitable
candidate for this type of procedure, which provides you these advantages:
Shorter recovery time
Less postoperative pain
Less trauma to the tissues around your joint
Less scarring and less blood loss
Quicker rehabilitation
After Your Surgery
The orthopedic and joint replacement teams at the Orthopedic Institute
at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center are dedicated to helping you
get back on your feet faster and to ensure your post-operative experience
goes smoothly.
You can be sure our expert orthopedic surgeons will give you the personalized
care you need. We’ll develop the appropriate treatment plan for
your knee that works to reduce your pain and help you get back to being
“you.” It’s about time, yes?
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