Knee
-
- Tweet
South Orange County Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Orange County, Mission Viejo, CA
Virtually everyone will experience some form of knee pain at some point in their lives. That is not surprising, considering the daily stress that we place on our knees as we walk, run, stand and bend. At South Orange County Orthopaedics, Inc, knee problems are one of the most common things that bring residents of Mission Viejo, California to seek care. Dr. Herbert Eidt and our team of highly skilled surgeons offer a wide range of treatment options. To learn how to find relief from persistent knee pain, schedule an appointment online or come in to discuss scheduling.
Knee Q & A
What are some common knee problems?
Knee issues are caused by a number of different factors. In some cases, your knee sustains trauma from a car accident or sports injury. That can lead to distinct and sometimes severe pain, and must be treated immediately.
In other cases, knee pain or stiffness in the joint is the result of osteoarthritis. Over time, the cartilage that cushions your knee joint wears away, which can lead to pain and swelling.
Knee pain can also result from damage to the tendons and ligaments that support proper joint function. When these connective tissues are damaged, swelling and pain can make it impossible to continue normal daily activities.
How does a total knee replacement work?
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that is used to resurface the ends of your tibia and femur, the two long leg bones that meet at your knee joint. A knee replacement can treat osteoarthritis or physical damage to the structures of your knee.
During the arthroscopic procedure, small surgical tools and a lighted video camera are inserted into tiny incisions. Your surgeon removes any damaged cartilage and bone tissue before carefully shaping the healthy bone to fit the contours of the knee implant.
Next, your surgeon precisely positions the metal implants onto the surface of your bones, cementing them into place. A plastic button is inserted under your kneecap, and a plastic spacer is placed between the two metal implant surfaces.
These metal and plastic surfaces are able to glide against each other, restoring proper knee function and relieving pain and stiffness in the area. It is estimated that as many as 95% of knee implants continue to work 10 years after the procedure, and 85% remain functional 20 years after knee replacement surgery.
What is ACL surgery?
Your anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, provides much of the stability of your knee joint. This strong, ropelike connective tissue runs across the middle of your knee, connecting your femur and tibia.
When your ACL is damaged, your knee is unable to function normally. Instability and pain follows, and the ligament is unable to repair itself.
ACL surgery is a procedure through which your surgeon is able to use an arthroscope to enter the joint and repair your anterior cruciate ligament. In certain cases, arthroscopic surgery is not possible, and an open knee procedure must be done.
In order to repair the damaged ligament, your surgeon drills small holes in your upper and lower leg bones, then uses a tissue graft to reconnect those bones, anchoring the ends of the graft into the holes and securing it with screws or staples.
If you suffer from knee pain and instability, contact the South Orange County Orthopaedics team to begin a path back to proper joint function.
