Knee pain and injuries are some of the most common orthopedic issues and can greatly impact your quality of life. Knee pain and injuries can be debilitating, making it hard to live an active lifestyle. Fortunately, there are a variety of surgical treatments available to help alleviate knee pain and reduce the risk of long-term damage or disability. In this blog post, we will explore the top surgery treatments for knee pain and injuries, how they work, and what you can expect from the recovery process. Read on to learn more about the most popular surgical options to help reduce your knee pain and help you get back to a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Arthroscopic surgery : Arthroscopic surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries for knee pain and injuries. It involves the use of a small camera to look inside the joint and identify any issues. This type of surgery allows doctors to make small incisions in the skin and perform a range of treatments without having to open up the knee. Commonly, arthroscopy is used to repair torn ligaments, remove damaged cartilage, or clean out inflamed joint tissue. Depending on the patient’s condition, the surgery may require general anesthesia, regional nerve block, or local anesthesia. Recovery time varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, but typically it takes several weeks to fully recover from an arthroscopic procedure.
- Osteotomy : Osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting and realigning bones in order to correct an issue with the joint. It’s most commonly used to treat knee problems such as arthritis, patellar malalignment, and ligament tears. During an osteotomy, your surgeon will make an incision near the knee joint, then use specialized tools to precisely cut the bones of the leg and realign them into the desired position. Your surgeon may also use metal plates, screws, or pins to hold the bones in place while they heal. Depending on the severity of your condition, it may be possible to perform an arthroscopic osteotomy, where smaller incisions are made and a tiny camera is inserted into the knee joint. Osteotomy can provide long-term pain relief and improved range of motion, but recovery times vary depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. You may need to wear a brace or splint for up to six weeks after the surgery, and physical therapy will likely be needed to restore strength and range of motion.Â
- Joint replacement : A joint replacement is a surgical procedure used to treat osteoarthritis. These surgeries are done on joints where arthritis has badly compromised the functioning of the joint, causing pain and affecting your daily life. Joints can become injured by sports or trauma and then may require surgery for proper recovery. Total knee replacement surgery is an effective treatment for pain, arthritis and tissue damage caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. A total knee arthroplasty is performed on one or both knees. The surgery involves replacing the damaged parts of your knees with artificial materials like metal and plastic to help support your weight and reduce joint pain.
- Ligament reconstruction : Ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure used to repair or replace torn or weakened ligaments in the knee. Injuries to the knee can occur due to sudden, traumatic events, such as a twisting injury, or overuse. The most commonly injured ligaments in the knee are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The goal of ligament reconstruction is to restore stability to the knee joint and prevent further injury. It is typically recommended for people with a torn ACL, MCL, or other knee ligaments that cannot be treated non-surgically.
- Cartilage transplant : Cartilage transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a piece of cartilage (chondrocyte) is transplanted into the knee joint. It is typically performed on patients who have failed to get relief from other treatments such as pain with activity, severe arthritis, and failed knee replacement surgery.
