Stand up to Knee Pain

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 an injury or from the gradual wear and tear of arthritis, knee pain can make it difficult for you to maintain an active lifestyle.

At Crystal Clinic, our physicians treat a wide range of both common and complex knee problems, including these frequently seen conditions:

Osteoarthritis,

which is particularly common in the knee and starts with the breakdown of cartilage in the joint. Symptoms include pain, reduced range of motion, swelling and stiffness, which may worsen after prolonged periods of rest.

Bursitis or inflammation of a bursa,

the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis temporarily limits motion and is often the result of injury, overuse, surgery or arthritis.

Fractures or breaks in the bone,

which are caused by injuries or diseases such as osteoporosis or cancer. Another type is a stress fracture caused by overuse or repetitive motion.

Knee pain caused by a breakdown of the cartilage,

typically due to repetitive stress. Overuse of the knee joint, misalignment of the knee cap and surrounding structures, nerve damage, inflammation and injury can all contribute to knee pain.

Ligament tears,

which include tears of the four main ligaments in the knee: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Meniscus injuries or tears,

which are among the most common knee injuries. Tears may occur when playing sports, after years of wear and tear, or simply from an awkward movement, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, catching or locking of the knee, and limited range of motion.

Sprains and strains,

which are common in people of all ages. Sprains occur when ligaments stretch beyond their limits and tear. A strain may be an overstretched muscle or tendon, or it could be a partial or complete tear in both the muscle and tendon.

Crystal Clinic orthopedic surgeons offer the latest advancements in surgical and nonsurgical care of knee conditions including these innovative treatment options:

MACI,

which uses your own cells to grow new cartilage to repair damage in your knee. First, two tiny pieces of non-weight bearing articular cartilage are obtained using a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure. The sample is sent to a laboratory and allowed time to grow. Once your sample is ready, the new cartilage cells are embedded onto a collagen membrane and then implanted in your knee in a second minimally invasive procedure.

Total joint replacement,

which replaces the damaged ends of the bones that meet at the knee and the underside of the kneecap with an implant. Modern joint replacements have a well-established record of longevity and durability, however, they need to be closely monitored for signs of wear and loosening. A knee replacement will reduce your pain and increase your range of motion, allowing you to return to most of your daily activities.

Custom knee replacement implants,

which are based on your specific anatomy, to provide a better fit than typical “off-the-shelf” knee replacements. Clinical research has shown that customized implants provide a better fit, which can result in less post-surgical pain, a more natural feel, increased stability and faster recovery.

Robotic knee replacement,

which is similar to other knee replacement techniques, but uses a robotic system to assist surgeons when replacing more severely damaged knee joints. Crystal Clinic was one of the first hospitals in Northeast Ohio to offer robotic-arm assisted partial and total knee replacements. We continue to perform more procedures with this innovative technology than any other hospital in the region.

Crystal Clear Pathway

which is another way we are improving patient outcomes. This specialized program was developed for Medicare patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. It includes a customized care plan to help you, your family members and your care providers more easily navigate the complexities of your hospitalization, recovery and rehabilitation.