Knee

The knee is the joint that unites the thigh with the rest of the leg and is a system of moving parts consisting of cartilage, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The knee is also a hinge that provides our body with the strength to run, squat, jump, and turn. However, the knee is vulnerable to a number of injuries and conditions because of its inability to rotate in every direction.

Knee pain is a common complaint for people of all ages. It can be caused by a trauma or a medical condition. Medical conditions that cause knee pain include gout, infections, arthritis and being overweight or obese. Common trauma includes ligament or cartilage injuries, fractures, and muscle or tendon injuries.Patients with knee problems typically experience pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness or instability in the joint. They may also hear crunching or popping noises or have the inability to fully bend or straighten the knee. Some minor knee injuries can be treated with home treatment options, including rest, ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pills. But many cases of knee pain require medical assistance.

At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (GSOS) we take a multi-faceted approach to treating knee conditions, injuries and the pain. Our award-winning Medical Doctors have been voted “Best Doctors” for numerous years and in 2020 Sequoia Surgery Center on Shadelands Drive in Walnut Creek was voted “Best Surgery Center In The East Bay”. We are proud to be at the forefront of knowledge and expertise to offer the least invasive options to treat each patient’s knee issue.

Common knee problems we treat that can cause knee pain:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists can help reduce pain and strengthen muscles to make the knee more stable. They can also confirm exercises are done correctly to reduce further injury. Physical therapy will also be used as an essential part of rehabilitation after surgery, should that be necessary.

Braces

For some causes of knee pain, a physician at GSOS can provide a brace that can help support and protect the knee. Our doctors can help find the best brace, whether it is for preventive care, rehabilitative care, daily use or sports.

Injections

In some cases, treatment options prior to surgery include injecting corticosteroids or other substances directly into the knee joint.

Knee Replacement & Knee Replacement Revision

Our orthopedic doctors will go over all the differences in each knee replacement surgery and pick the best option for each patient. We also offer knee replacement revision surgeries to correct problems with a previous knee replacement. A patient is a candidate for a knee replacement if there is severe destruction of the knee joint that is associated with pain and reduced function.

Total knee replacement is a surgery where the knee joint is replaced with a prosthetic joint made of artificial material. We often perform a minimally invasive total knee replacement, which is done with a 4 to 6-inch incision instead of the 8 to 11-inch incision used with a traditional total knee replacement surgery. This option also spares or minimally cuts the quadriceps muscles and tendon, leading to a quicker and less painful recovery.

Along with a minimally invasive approach, we may utilize computer guidance for joint implant placement. This is not a robotic surgery, rather the surgeon uses information from the computer to help with precise placement.

Arthroscopic Treatment Options

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure our orthopedic surgeons use to view, diagnose and treat a problem inside the knee. In an arthroscopic procedure, a surgeon will make small incisions around the knee and insert a small camera lens and light (the arthroscope) for viewing and special surgical instruments to perform the operation. Arthroscopic procedures have a shorter downtime for patients and less reported pain.

Some of our most common arthroscopic knee surgeries include:

  • Meniscal repair procedures
  • ACL reconstruction
  • Knee cartilage restorative procedures