Knee Pain Specialist

What are some common reasons for knee pain?

There are several injuries that can affect the stability and function of your knee. Common knee injuries include:

ACL injuries

The anterior cruciate ligament is a major ligament in your knee that can become stretched or torn as a result of aggressive movements like sudden stops, jumping, and twisting. The ACL is essential to the stability of your knee and injuries to the ligament typically result in severe pain and swelling. 

Meniscus tears 

The meniscus is a circular disc of cartilage that serves as a cushion between your shinbone and thighbone. A torn meniscus is one of the most common types of knee injuries and can easily occur from forceful twisting or rotation of the knee. When the meniscus tears, a piece of the damaged cartilage disrupts the inside of the knee joint, causing pain, catching, and swelling.

Chondromalacia Patella

Chondromalacia Patella is a condition that occurs when the cartilage in the underside of your kneecap (patella) begins to soften and deteriorate. Chondromalacia is common in running and jumping athletes and typically occurs gradually until there is a complete loss of the cartilage beneath the kneecap. Chondromalacia is typically caused by injury, overuse, and poorly aligned structures around the knee joint. 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs as the joint starts to wear out and the surface of the knee joint becomes irregular. Osteoarthritis causes inflammation, stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion to the affected joint. In cases of severe or advanced osteoarthritis, surgical treatment is required to relieve pain and preserve the health of the knee joint. 

How are knee injuries diagnosed?

For your comfort and convenience, Dr. Halbrecht provides in-office magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He uses the MRI scanner to develop detailed images of your affected knee. Dr. Halbrecht uses an open extremity MRI scanner that doesn’t require you to enter a confined space like traditional MRI scanners. After the procedure, Dr. Halbrecht uses your scan results to determine the severity of your condition and plan the treatment process. 

What knee pain treatments are available?

If conservative care isn’t appropriate for your condition, surgery may be required to restore the function and mobility of your knee. Dr. Halbrecht specializes in arthroscopic surgery, a treatment method that uses a small camera and specialized instruments to surgically address a variety of knee problems. Dr. Halbrecht uses arthroscopic surgery to perform several surgical techniques including:

• ACL reconstruction
• Meniscus transplantation 
• Cartilage restoration
• Patella realignment
• Joint debridement
• Microfracture
• Knee replacement

To find out which surgical treatment is right for your condition, book an appointment by phone or online today.