Do you try to get out of bed in the morning, but you’re suddenly hit with excruciating knee pain? Many people suffer from this problem. Knee pain, whether from an injury while working out or from aging, can affect your ability to do daily activities.
The good news is that surgery can help you regain your feet and feel well again. Discussions about knee pain and surgical options can be overwhelming. You can make an informed decision with the right information.
Let’s learn more about some common types of surgeries performed on the knee and where you can go for knee pain management in Farmington Hills, MI.
Common Knee Problems
The human body is remarkably versatile, allowing us to walk, leap, run, and even dance. Because of this, our knees may experience significant stress from engaging in strenuous activities.
This can result in an array of common knee problems, such as:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints, particularly the knees, hips, and hands.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of this disease. It wears down the cartilage in the joint over time. This can cause the affected joint to hurt, stiffen, and swell, making movement difficult.
Another type of this disease is rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the joint tissue, causing damage and deformity.
Ligament Injuries
Most ligament injuries happen when the knee joint is suddenly twisted or hit. It can cause pain, swelling, and trouble moving the knee, which makes simple tasks like walking or standing arduous.
Fortunately, you can recover from these injuries and return to regular activities after receiving a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tissues that link muscles to bones. It can result from a traumatic event or frequently engaging in the same motion.
This disease is a common condition that affects people who perform activities that repetitively stress their tendons. Some examples are running, jumping, or cycling.
Torn Cartilage
Cartilage tears can occur if the thick, rubbery tissue that cushions the knee joint is overstretched. For example, this can happen because of a sprain.
To treat this condition, you may need to wear a brace or, if necessary, undergo surgery.
When Is Knee Surgery Necessary?
Knee surgery is a major medical procedure. It involves cutting into the knee joint to repair, remove, or fix broken tissues or structures.
Surgery is usually recommended when you experience the following:
- Pain that doesn’t go away even with rest or medicine
- Trouble walking or doing daily tasks
- Severe swelling or instability
- Loss of knee range of motion
It’s important to note that surgery is usually the last resort for knee problems because it comes with risks. That includes infection, bleeding, blood clots, and nerve damage.
Surgical wounds also take a long time to heal.
Still, surgery can be effective for those with knee injuries or conditions to get their knees to work again. The procedure can also help improve their quality of life.
Types of Knee Surgery
There are a few different approaches to knee surgery, including the following:
Arthroscopy
Depending on your injury, your physician may use a fiber-optic camera and long, thin tools. They will insert these through small cuts around your knee to look at and fix the damage to your joint.
Arthroscopy can be used to:
- Remove loose objects from your knee joint
- Remove or fix damaged cartilage, more so if the damage causes your knee to lock
- Repair torn ligaments
Partial Knee Replacement
During this treatment, the surgeon will simply replace the section of your knee that is the most damaged. They will use new components made of metal and plastic.
The procedure only requires a few small incisions. Your recovery time should be significantly less than if your entire knee had been replaced.
Total Knee Replacement
During this operation, the damaged bone and cartilage from your thigh, shin, and kneecap are removed. They will be replaced with an artificial joint made of metal alloy, high-grade plastic, and polymer.
Osteotomy
Osteotomy involves removing bone from your thigh bone or shinbone to align the knee and ease arthritis pain.
This procedure may help you delay or even avoid total knee replacement surgery.
Knee Doctor Near You in Farmington Hills, MI
If you are experiencing knee pain that is not improving with time and nonsurgical treatments, visit us here at Tri County Orthopedics. We have a team of orthopedic surgeons who will thoroughly evaluate your knee condition and recommend the most suitable treatments, including knee surgery. Our surgeons may also perform minimally invasive procedures for your knee problem.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons for the evaluation of your knee condition, call us today at (248) 474-5575 or fill out our secure online appointment request form now. We look forward to serving you!
