Knee
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most easily injured. It's also one of the most common joints replaced.
The simple act of getting out of bed in the morning can be painful for a person with an injured knee. Whether you're suffering from a past injury or from the gradual wear and tear of arthritis, knee pain can make it difficult for you to maintain an active lifestyle.
The physicians at the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center are dedicated to treating patients with knee pain and providing them with the treatment that will restore quality of life. Physicians can help patients in a number of ways, including:
- Physical therapy
- The latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Cutting-edge procedures
Many surgical procedures are done arthroscopically, an important benefit for patients because recovery time is much faster than traditional surgical methods.
Cartilage / Ligament
If your injury requires more extensive work, Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center surgeons have the technical skill and expertise to repaire the problem and get you back to full funcionality.
Meniscus tears - usually the result of a traumatic injury - occur when the knee joint is bent, and the knee is then twisted. It is common for the meniscus tear to occur along with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament.
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center surgeons specialize in repairing meniscus tears and reconstructing knee ligaments such as:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
Total Joint Replacement
The knee is usually replaced with a combination of cobalt chrome and highly cross-linked polyethylene implants, which have helped to improve success rates. Modular components are now used in knee replacements, allowing for easy "revision" of worn out joints.
In total knee replacement surgery, the damaged ends of the bones that meet at the knee and underside of the kneecap are replaced with an implant. Most knee replacements are cemented into place.
Modern joint replacements have a well-established record for longevity and durability. However, they need to be closely followed for signs of wear and loosening.
New prosthetic components and surgical techniques enable safe and effective correction of potential problems before they get out of hand. We recommend patients come in for a yearly check-up and X-ray so your new joint can be monitored.
A new knee will reduce the amont of pain you have experienced. It will also increase your range of motion, allowing you to return to most of your daily living activities.
Cartilage Transplant / Preservation
Summa Health System's Sports Medicine surgeons were among the first in Ohio to perform an autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), a procedure where one's own cartilage cells are removed from the knee, cultured in a sophisticated laboratory setting by the nation's leading company, Genzyme, and implanted at a later time into the area of cartilage damage.
Timothy J. Myer, M.D. was the first surgeon to do cartilage transplant in Ohio in the 1980s, followed shortly thereafter by Raymond Acus, M.D. Combined, they have more than 25 years of experience in doing this sophisticated procedure.
There are many other cartilage preservation procedures being done by the other orthopaedic surgeons of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, including osteoarticular transfer system (OATS), microfracture and DeNovo®.
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center physicians are committed to research and innovation in the quest to improve patient care and results. Their surgical skills, experience and knowledge can help you get back to your active lifestyle.
To schedule an appointment with a knee specialist, go to Find a Physician.