5 Common Surgeries a Knee Orthopedic Surgeon Performs

Posted by Orthopaedic Specialists

Orthopedic surgeons are doctors that focus on the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, muscles, and other soft tissues like cartilage, nerves, ligaments and tendons. However, if an orthopedic surgeon is performing surgery, it is most likely going to be on a joint. Shoulders, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, and ankles are all vulnerable because of how much we use them every day. Because they are effected by the surrounding joints of the hips and ankles, knees can be particularly vulnerable. Especially considering that they are a weight-bearing joint. A knee orthopedic surgeon can perform several different surgeries for various conditions and injuries, but some of the most common knee surgeries preformed include:

1. Total Knee Replacement:

Total knee replacement is also known as knee arthroplasty. This surgery replaces the damaged surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella with artificial components. It’s often recommended for severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Degenerative arthritis can result from damaging, repetitive motion or trauma, which is why athletes, people suffering from obesity, and manual labor workers commonly need total knee replacement surgery as they age.

2. Partial Knee Replacement:

Also known as unicompartmental knee replacement, this procedure replaces only the damaged portion of the knee joint. The knee is dived into 3 major compartments:

  1. Medial Compartment (Inside of the Knee)
  2. Lateral Compartment (Outside of the Knee)
  3. Patellofemoral Compartment (Top/Front of the Knee)

Because it preserves more healthy bone and cartilage tissue, the procedure oftentimes allows patients to have a shorter recovery. Most patients who undergo partial knee replacements also suffer from osteoarthritis, but only in part of the knee.

3. ACL Reconstruction:

This surgery repairs or replaces a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is a major ligament in the knee that provides stability during pivoting and twisting motions. Several athletes in soccer, football, tennis, basketball, and other sports that require quick direction turns are at risk of torn or damaged ACLs. Slippery or uneven surfaces can also contribute to a torn ACL in non-athletes.

4. Arthroscopy:

Knee arthroscopies can also be known as knee scopes. This minimally invasive procedure uses a small camera and specialized instruments to diagnose and treat various knee problems, such as cartilage tears, meniscus (MCL) tears, and plica (tissue folds) problems. It is different than the other surgeries preformed because sometimes, it doesn’t fix the issue, it only diagnoses it. But, because it is minimally invasive, it can tell a knee orthopedic surgeon much more about whether a knee injury needs additional surgery or if it can be solved with non-surgical treatments.

5. Meniscus Repair/Meniscectomy:

The meniscus is a cartilage structure that cushions the knee joint. Meniscectomy involves removing a torn meniscus, while meniscus repair involves suturing the torn meniscus to promote healing. There are several factors for a torn meniscus that come into play when it comes to the best treatments.

  • Meniscus injuries can result both from degenerative reasons or from acute trauma, which will affect the pain level that a patient feels.
  • Not all locations of the meniscus connect to the body’s blood flow, which means that some areas cannot heal on their own.
  • Some meniscal tears may detach part of the meniscus from itself, which prohibits natural healing.
  • There are stable and unstable tears that may affect whether the meniscus moves abnormally.
  • There are 6 different tear patterns that will affect its ability to heal naturally and on its own.

Knee Orthopedic Surgeon in Louisville, KY

Knee orthopedic surgeons can administer and oversee non-surgical options, but when the pain gets too severe or an injury cannot heal on its own, surgery can help mitigate symptoms. If you or someone you love has suffered a knee injury in the Louisville, Kentucky-area, board certified sports medicine physician Dr. Stacie Grossfeld at Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC can help. Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC is accepting new patients, and same day appointments are available. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC today at 502-212-2663.