Knee Joint & Conditions Overview
Your knees are essential for everyday movements, bearing the weight of your body and enabling activities like walking, running and bending. As one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints, your knees endure a lot of pressure. Over time, this can lead to wear and tear, injuries and degenerative conditions. If you’re dealing with knee pain or mobility issues, the team at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Orthopedic Surgery can help you find relief and restore function with advanced treatments, including knee replacement surgery.
Common Knee Conditions
The knee is a complex joint with multiple components, including bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bursae (fluid-filled sacs) and synovium (lubricating fluid). These parts work together to allow the knee to bear weight and move. When any of these components become damaged, it can lead to pain, instability and difficulty moving. Some of the most common knee conditions include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocation
- Ligament tears
- Meniscus tears
- Sprains
- Tendon tears
Causes & Symptoms of Knee Issues
Knee problems can result from both acute injuries, such as falls or sports accidents, and chronic conditions like arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, which is a leading cause of knee problems. Each year, approximately 790,000 people in the U.S. undergo total knee replacements due to arthritis-related knee damage.
Pain, swelling, stiffness and instability are common symptoms that suggest a knee condition may be present. If these symptoms are affecting your daily activities, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis & Treatment
To accurately diagnose your knee condition, an orthopedic surgeon at NGPG will conduct a physical exam and may use diagnostic tools such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans. Based on the diagnosis, treatment options will be discussed. These may include:
- Physical Therapy
Exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. - Medications
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. - Injections
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for relief. - Surgery
NGPG Orthopedic Surgery offers specialized expertise in partial and total knee replacements, as well as other types of knee surgery.
Knee Replacement Surgery
When knee pain becomes severe and limits your ability to perform everyday activities, knee replacement surgery may be the most effective solution. This surgery involves removing damaged parts of the knee joint and replacing them with artificial components. The procedure can provide long-lasting pain relief and restore function, allowing you to return to an active lifestyle.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgery
There are two main types of knee replacement surgery:
- Partial Knee Replacement
Replaces only the damaged part of the knee while leaving the healthy tissue intact. This is less invasive and offers a very fast recovery. - Total Knee Replacement
Replaces the entire knee joint when multiple areas are damaged. This is the more common procedure for widespread damage.
Your orthopedic surgeon can help determine the best option based on the severity and location of the knee damage, as well as your wellness goals.
What should I expect from knee replacement surgery?
Knee surgery, whether partial or total, is designed to relieve pain and restore function. In a partial knee replacement, only the damaged section of the knee is replaced, preserving up to 75% of the joint, making it less invasive with a faster recovery. A total knee replacement involves removing the entire knee joint and replacing it with prosthetic components, ideal for extensive joint damage. After either procedure, physical therapy is necessary to strengthen the knee and improve mobility. Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved function after recovery.
Other types of Knee Surgery
At NGPG Orthopedic Surgery we offer a variety of surgical treatments for knee conditions when knee replacement isn’t necessary. Depending on the severity and type of knee issue, your surgeon may recommend one of the following procedures:
ACL Surgery
If you have a torn ACL or other knee ligament injuries, surgery may be needed to restore stability to the knee. This often involves using grafts to replace damaged ligaments.
Meniscus Tear Surgery
For severe meniscus tears that don’t heal with conservative treatments, surgery may be required. Treatment options include meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy (removal of damaged tissue).
Arthroscopy
This is a type of minimally invasive surgery used to examine and treat knee problems. Your surgeon may perform repairs or clean out damaged tissue through small incisions, reducing recovery time.
Choose NGPG for Knee Replacement & Knee Surgery
At NGPG Orthopedic Surgery we are dedicated to using the latest technology and minimally invasive techniques to provide the best outcomes for our patients. With decades of experience we perform a high volume of knee replacement surgeries each year in our advanced surgical suites at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and through our outpatient Braselton Surgery Center.
If knee pain is affecting your quality of life, don’t wait to seek help. Book an appointment online or go straight to one of our Orthopedic Walk-In Clinics today for a consultation.