What are common knee conditions?
Your knee is a complex hinge joint that connects your thigh bone to your shin bone. The anterior cruciate ligament, the large ligament that helps connect the joint, provides knee stability and makes it possible for you to bend and straighten your legs.
Any of the bones and soft tissues in your knee joint are susceptible to injury, overuse, and degenerative diseases like arthritis.
Some of the common knee conditions the providers at Southern Oregon Orthopedics treat include:
- ACL tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Joint deformities
The providers can also identify the root cause of unexplained inflammation and pain in your knee using on-site diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
When should I seek treatment for a knee condition?
If you have persistent pain or inflammation in your knee from arthritis or an injury, it’s important that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation so your condition doesn’t worsen.
The providers at Southern Oregon Orthopedics also recommend a diagnostic evaluation if your symptoms continue, even with treatment, or if your pain is severe enough to cause a disability.
The orthopedic specialists customize a treatment plan that focuses on restoring function in your knee and protecting your joint’s long-term health.
What treatments are available for knee conditions?
If you can’t find relief of knee pain with over-the-counter medications, ice and heat therapy, and rest, you might benefit from conservative treatments like physical therapy and prescription medications.
When you have severe pain or need treatment for a joint deformity, your Southern Oregon Orthopedics provider might recommend surgery. The orthopedic surgeons offer several types of knee surgeries, including arthroscopy and knee replacements.
Knee arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that only requires small incisions over your knee to access your joint. A special instrument with an attached camera fits through the incisions and sends real-time images of your inner knee to a monitor that your surgeon views during the procedure.
Using arthroscopic techniques, your surgeon can repair ACL tears or torn cartilage and remove damaged tissue or bone without causing unnecessary trauma to your body.
