Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery Located in Huntsville, Madison, Athens & Decatur, AL
SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
Knee pain is one of the most common joint complaints and can affect people at any age. If you have unresolved knee pain, knee surgery at SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center could help. Whether your knee pain is due to an acute injury, arthritis, wear-and-tear damage, or overuse, our board-certified physicians can help. Call SportsMED today to learn more or use the online form to book an appointment of one of our four locations servicing the communities of Huntsville, Madison, Athens, and Decatur, Alabama.
Knee Surgery Q & A
Why might I need knee surgery?
Knee surgery might be necessary if you have an injury or joint deterioration that isn’t responding to other treatment methods.
Your knee is a strong but complex joint that enables you to walk, run, kneel, climb, and jump freely. It consists of three bones, twelve muscles, two major tendons, four ligaments, articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones, and two menisci, which are sections of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the joint.
Knees are hinge joints connecting the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia), along with a third bone, the knee cap (patella). Because so many activities place extreme stress on the knees, injuries are common.
Your knee can also suffer from degeneration that results in pain and loss of mobility. People who have knee problems can find it difficult to perform simple daily tasks.
What knee conditions might require surgery?
Some of the most common knee conditions the team at SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center treat are:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Arthritis
- Cartilage injury
- Bursitis
- Chondromalacia (runner’s knee)
- Collateral ligament tears (MCL and LCL)
- Fractures and dislocations
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Meniscus tears
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Patella tendon injuries
- Patellofemoral pain
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears
- Sprains and strains
Most knee conditions respond well to conservative treatments like physical therapy, proper bracing, and medication. If these methods aren’t helping, your provider can try therapies like joint injections and radiofrequency ablation. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain and stiffness, or your knee is crunching, locking, or popping when you walk, surgery might be required.
What kinds of knee surgery might I need?
Some of the types of knee surgery the team at SportsMED carry out most often are:
- Total knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) repair
- Collateral ligament repair
- Meniscal repair
The team also has specialist expertise in carrying out joint revisions when a previous joint replacement needs repairing or replacing.
Another emerging form of knee surgery is cartilage transplantation. This involves taking cartilage cells from your knee and growing them in a special laboratory. Your surgeon then puts the healthy cartilage cells back into your knee. This procedure is only suitable for some patients and isn’t widely available.
The surgeons at SportsMED believe in providing patients with the information they need and the most advanced treatment options to ensure your knee surgery is as successful as possible. Call your nearest office today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.