Knee

Don’t Suffer From Unnecessary Knee Pain

Your knees are essential to everyday movement—walking, running, and standing. They help you stay active and mobile, but when knee pain strikes, it can significantly affect your quality of life. At Orthopedic Specialists, we're committed to restoring your knee health so you can resume your favorite activities.

What Makes Up the Knee?

The knee is the largest joint in the body and the most complex. It plays a critical role in connecting the upper leg to the lower leg and is made up of several key parts:

Your knee is designed to allow flexion, extension, and slight rotation, all while bearing your body weight during movement. But it’s also a joint prone to wear and tear, especially as we age or engage in high-impact activities.

Common Knee Concerns

Whether your knee pain developed over time or resulted from an injury, our experienced orthopedic team is here to help. We treat a wide variety of knee conditions and knee injuries, including:

• Torn Meniscus: The meniscus is a cartilage pad in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.
• ACL Injuries: The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the major ligaments in the knee joint. An ACL injury can occur from sudden twisting or hyperextension of the knee.
• Arthritis in Knee (Osteoarthritis): This degenerative joint disease causes cartilage in the knee joint to wear down over time. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling.
• Tendonitis: This condition causes inflammation of a tendon, which is a fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendonitis in the knee can cause pain and tenderness, especially during activity.
• Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions joints. Knee bursitis can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the knee joint.
• Fractures or Dislocations: A fracture is a break in a bone, while a dislocation occurs when a bone is forced out of its joint. Both can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.

Symptoms of knee problems can include swelling, stiffness, pain, instability, or weakness. If you're experiencing any of these, our specialists will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the cause of your pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.

Knee Pain Treatment

At Orthopedic Specialists, we provide personalized care to address your knee pain, whether from an injury, arthritis, or another condition. We take a conservative approach to treatment and explore non-surgical options first, but surgery may be recommended for more severe or persistent issues.

Conservative Treatments

• Viscosupplementation: This injectable therapy involves injecting hyaluronic acid serum into the knee joint to improve lubrication and reduce pain. It's particularly effective for patients with knee arthritis.
• Physical Therapy: Strengthening the muscles around the knee can provide stability and reduce strain on the joint.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs or topical treatments may help relieve pain and swelling.

Surgical Treatments

If surgery is necessary, you can trust our skilled surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures for quicker recovery and less pain. Some of the most common knee surgeries we perform include:

• Knee Arthroscopy (Knee Scope): A minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to examine and treat knee problems using small incisions and a tiny camera.
• ACL Reconstruction: If you have a torn ACL, our team can perform a reconstruction surgery to restore stability to your knee.
• Meniscus Repair or Removal: For torn cartilage, we may recommend repairing or removing the damaged meniscus.
• Knee Replacement Surgery: If arthritis severely damages your knee joint, a total or partial knee replacement may be the best option. 

When to See a Doctor for Knee Pain

If your knee pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling, instability, or difficulty bearing weight, it’s time to see a doctor. Especially after an injury, it’s important to get evaluated and determine the right treatment plan to address the underlying issue.

At Orthopedic Specialists, we provide expert care for all types of knee pain, from conservative treatments to advanced surgery. Our goal is to help you return to a pain-free, active lifestyle. At Orthopedic Specialists, our orthopedic knee surgeons have extensive education and training in performing specialized knee procedures, including total knee replacement, knee revision surgery, total knee arthroplasty, and partial knee arthroplasty.

Orthopedic Specialists in Iowa Can Help

If you're experiencing knee pain, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Orthopedic Specialists today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert orthopedic surgeons. Together, we’ll find the best solution for your knee health and get you back to living your life, pain-free.