Knee surgery can play an important role in restoring your quality of life. The surgical repair of common problems such as torn connective tissues, fractured bones, and degenerated cartilage can relieve chronic pain and improve function where more conservative measures fail.
Don’t ignore the telltale signs you need knee surgery. If your knee displays an obvious deformity, keeps you from performing everyday tasks, or causes you constant pain, it’s time to consider knee surgery in Houston TX.
What Conditions Do Knee Surgeons Treat?
Today’s skilled knee surgeons can treat a wide range of debilitating knee problems. Conditions that typically respond well to knee surgery include:
- Arthritis of the knee joint
- Ligament injuries such as a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- Meniscus tears
- Patella (kneecap) dislocation or instability.
- Knee fractures
- Bursitis and tendinitis
- Cartilage damage
- Synovial conditions
Types of Knee Surgery
Many types of knee surgery can be performed without making large incisions, allowing you to heal more quickly and with less postoperative discomfort. The following procedures count as prime examples of minimally-invasive knee surgery.
Knee Arthroscopy: Knee arthroscopy involves the use of special tools that allow surgeons to work through just a couple of tiny cuts, observing their progress on a video monitor. elongated instruments can remove Baker’s cysts or loose bits or cartilage. They can also repair the knee’s synovial lining, restore kneecap alignment, and repair fractures or torn tissues.
- Meniscus Repair: A tear in a piece of cartilage called a meniscus can affect knee comfort and stability. Meniscus repair surgery can often modify the cartilage so it can function normally again. The surgeon closes the tear by stitching the torn ends of the cartilage back together.
- Partial Meniscectomy: In the course of an arthroscopic meniscus repair procedure, a surgeon may sometimes discover that the torn cartilage cannot be repaired with stitches. This issue often comes up in seniors with longstanding cartilage deterioration. In these cases, the surgeon may perform a partial meniscectomy instead. In this procedure, arthroscopic instruments remove fragments of cartilage that get in the way of proper knee function.
- ACL Surgery: A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) can also make your knee painful and unreliable. Arthroscopic surgical techniques can fix the problem by grafting a donor tendon to take the torn ACL’s place. The donor tendon is attached to bits of bone taken from elsewhere in the knee. These bits of bone then fuse with your knee to create a permanent replacement.
Benefits of Knee Surgery
While no one relishes the idea of undergoing major surgery, knee surgery can offer many substantial benefits that will make you glad you chose this treatment method. The benefits of knee surgery include:
- Reduced pain and increased mobility – A successful knee repair can allow you to return to your work, your favorite sport, and your ability to get around easily and without pain.
- Improved quality of life – Without that nagging knee pain hanging over your everyday life, you may find that you can get more (and better sleep), pursue new work opportunities, and engage more fully in the world around you.
- Long-term benefits – Your repaired knee can enhance your long-term health and wellness. Your newfound ability to engage in physical activities such as exercise can help you stay strong, avoid obesity, and better manage conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. A more stable knee also reduces your risk of falls.
Let NW Surgery Help You
NW Surgery is proud to count knee surgery among its many orthopedic services. Since 1999, our physician-owned orthopedic center has focused on connecting individuals in need with the highest standards of evaluation and treatment for many kinds of joint problems. This dedication to quality has led to our reputation as Houston’s premier orthopedic surgery resource.
In addition to traditional open surgery, NW Surgery also offers minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedures, including procedures to remove, modify, or replace problematic knee tissue. We also offer state-of-the-art pain management services.
Give Your Knee What It Needs, Starting Today
As you can see, knee surgery can literally help you get back on your feet again. The techniques and procedures listed above can relieve your chronic knee pain, improve your knee’s stability, and allow you to return to your favorite activities. If you’re ready to consider knee surgery in Houston TX, reach out to NW surgery today so we can schedule a consultation with a skilled, experienced knee surgeon.