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Knee Injuries | Houston TX

The knee is a complex joint and one that is integral to functional, comfortable weight-bearing. The knee is meant to support jumping, pivoting, and several other motions. It contains tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage. As such, this part of the body is vulnerable to injury. If acute or chronic pain occurs in the knee, it is important to obtain appropriate medical care.

Symptoms that should lead you to make an appointment with Dr. Adickes include:

  • Instability
  • Swelling that does not subside in 48 hours with ice and ibuprofen
  • Locking
  • Persistent catching
  • Inability to put weight on your leg

Dr. Adickes understands all aspects of knee injuries and treatment, having been a professional athlete and patient himself before becoming an orthopedic surgeon. If you believe you have suffered a knee injury, call Dr. Adickes in Houston TX today.

Knee Injury FAQs

What are Common Knee Injuries that Require Surgery?

Many of the common knee injuries that occur heal over time with conservative treatment such as ice, rest, and medication. Severe injuries or chronic pain that may require surgical repair include meniscus tears and injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. These are the most common injuries that require surgery. Joint deterioration due to osteoarthritis, or injury to the patellar tendon that supports the front of the knee may also require surgery.

At What Age Do Most Knee Injuries Occur?

Knee injuries are common among various age groups. In children and teens, knee injuries are commonly associated with sports. The same holds true for young adults who engage in sports, especially contact sports. With age, the risk of a knee injury may relate more to wear and tear and the natural degradation of the ligaments and other structures that support the knee. At any age, it is important to pay close attention to knee pain and the overall function of this joint.

What Can I Do to Avoid Needing Knee Surgery?

Some of the best ways to avoid needing knee surgery include taking proper measures before and after physical exercise, including sports. Before placing stress on the joint, warm up the muscles that support it with appropriate stretching and mild movement like running in place. During exercise or sports, stop when your body feels fatigued if at all possible. After physical exertion, soothe the joints by applying heat and cold as needed to decrease inflammation.

If you experience acute or ongoing knee pain, contact your doctor for a full examination. Usually, non-surgical therapies such as physical rehabilitation and medication are prescribed as first-line treatments for knee pain.

Knee Procedures

Total Knee Replacement

Knee cartilage wears out over time, which is also known as osteoarthritis. When this happens, total knee replacement surgery may be necessary to allow you to resume normal activities. Dr. Adickes performs total knee replacement surgery for his patients in Houston TX.

Partial Knee Replacement

When a patient has damage in only one area of the knee, he or she may require only a partial knee replacement with Dr. Adickes. These procedures use smaller incisions and entail an easier recovery than total knee replacement. For accuracy and patient success, Dr. Adickes uses two technological advances for these surgeries: the Oxford Partial Knee implant and the Mako robotic arm.

Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint. Arthroscopy is a term that comes from two Greek words, arthro-, meaning joint, and -skopein, meaning to examine.

The benefits of arthroscopy involve smaller incisions, faster healing, a more rapid recovery, and less scarring. Arthroscopic surgical procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis and the patient is able to return home on the same day.

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Mark Adickes, M.D. as seen on CBS’s “The Doctors”

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It is a strong rope like structure located in the center of the knee running from the femur to the tibia. When this ligament tears, unfortunately, it doesn’t heal and often leads to the feeling of instability in the knee.

ACL reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure and with recent advances in arthroscopic surgery can now be performed with minimal incisions and low complication rates.

Meniscus Tear and Surgery

Meniscus tear is the commonest knee injury in athletes, especially those involved in contact sports. A suddenly bend or twist in your knee cause the meniscus to tear. This is a traumatic meniscus tear. Elderly people are more prone to degenerative meniscal tears as the cartilage wears out and weakens with age. The two wedge-shape cartilage pieces present between the thighbone and the shinbone are called meniscus. They stabilize the knee joint and act as “shock absorbers”.

Patella Femoral Dislocation

Patella (knee cap) is a protective bone attached to the quadriceps muscles of the thigh by quadriceps tendon. Patella attaches with the femur bone and forms a patellofemoral joint. Patella is protected by a ligament which secures the kneecap from gliding out and is called as medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL).

Click on the topics below to find out more from the Orthopaedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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950 Campbell Rd,
Houston, TX 77024

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