Is arthroscopy the best way to diagnose source of knee pain?

My doctor is trying to find the cause of the pain in my knee. What’s the benefit of doing knee arthroscopy instead of MRI?

Knee arthroscopy may be the most common orthopedic procedure done today. It is a highly safe and reliable way to locate the source of knee pain. Researchers estimate that it is accurate over 90 percent of the time. Also, arthroscopy is more readily available to most patients than some other diagnostic procedures, such as MRI. While MRI may be less invasive, it’s also more costly and, in some cases, harder to get. Some doctors worry that MRI may be less accurate than arthroscopy. If both kinds of procedures are available to you, you may want to ask your doctor whether he or she prefers one method over the other. It may be that, in your case, one of the procedures would do a better job of finding the source of your knee pain.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com.

A “loose body” in my knee joint? What is that?

Upon seeing my doctor for the popping, clicking, and swelling in my knee, I was told I have a “loose body” in my knee joint. What is a loose body, and where could it have come from?

A loose body is a piece of tissue from within a joint that has somehow become dislodged and floats freely in the joint. It can get caught between the joint when it moves, causing the joint to pop, click, catch, or even lock up. There are several conditions in the knee that can be sources of a loose body. A loose body can form if a section of the meniscus has torn loose, either from trauma or degeneration. A bone chip from a fracture can also become a loose body.

Another possible source for a loose body is osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), a condition in which a piece of cartilage and the underlying bone have been damaged. In some cases, the damaged fragment separates from the bone and floats freely within the joint. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments.

The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit http://www.zehrcenter.com

Could exercising in a pool help me deal with the osteoarthritis in my knees?

Could exercising in a pool help me deal with the osteoarthritis in my knees?

It’s easier to move and exercise in a pool. The buoyancy of the water lends resistance, and helps you walk and move with less stress on your knees. The warmth of the water can help muscles relax, improve circulation, and ease soreness. Exercising in a pool is a great way to keep your muscles and joints strong and limber, without flaring up problems with knee osteoarthritis. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Can a partial meniscectomy be successful for seniors?

Can patients over 70 have good results from surgery to take out part of the knee meniscus?

They certainly can. A recent study evaluated the results of this procedure (“partial meniscectomy”) in 91 patients with an average age of 74. More than two-thirds of the patients had less pain after the procedure. Roughly four years later, these patients hadn’t had more surgery. They said they were satisfied with their results and would choose the procedure again. Of course, these results aren’t as good as those commonly seen in younger patients. In general, researchers think that patients over 70 should proceed with caution when it comes to knee surgery. This is especially true for patients who have more knee arthritis or cartilage damage. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Where exactly is the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?

Where exactly is the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)? Why don’t I hear about it as much as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

The cruciate ligaments are two ligaments that cross inside the knee joint. (“Cruciate” means cross). By connecting the thighbone (femur) with the shinbone (tibia), they help stabilize the knee. The ACL is in front. It protects the tibia from going too far forward in relation to the femur. The PCL crosses behind the ACL. It’s made up of two bands that work together to stabilize the knee when the lower leg is moving backward or rotating outward. You hear more about the ACL because ACL injuries are more common. They also tend to result in more pain and symptoms than PCL injuries. However, recent studies suggest that PCL injuries may be more common than previously thought, accounting for roughly 20 percent of all knee injuries. Researchers have recently turned more of their attention to PCL injuries, to develop more effective treatments. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

What is ACL Reconstruction Surgery?

What is ACL reconstruction surgery? Where does the “reconstruction” come from?

The anterior cruciate ligament–or ACL–is a major stabilizer of the knee joint. When this ligament is torn, the original, damaged tendon is removed, and the knee is reconstructed with new tissue. Typically, surgeons cut a strip from the patellar tendon (below the knee) to replace the ACL. Or they may use tissue from one of the hamstring tendons along the inside of the thigh. Screws are used to attach the new tissue in the exact location of the original tendon. This procedure is typically successful. In a recent study of 200 patients, no significant medical complications developed from ACL reconstructions using the patellar tendon. In fact, 96 to 98 percent of patients said they would choose this surgery if they had to go back and do it again.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com. 

Will sprained knee lead to arthritis?

I twisted and sprained my knee badly back in high school. I read once that having a bad knee injury can cause knee arthritis later in life. If so, I’m wondering if there is anything I can do now so I don’t end up with knee arthritis.

People who have had a significant injury of the knee joint may have a greater risk for knee arthritis in later years. Prevention includes safe exercises that focus on improving and maintaining joint movement and muscle strength. Stay active in a low-impact conditioning program, such as walking. To help reduce shock with day-to-day activities, wear supportive shoes, and consider the addition of an insole to help absorb shock. Walk on soft surfaces when possible, and avoid standing and walking for long periods on hard surfaces, such as cement. You might also consider choosing sport and recreational activities that don’t require cutting, jumping, and quick starts and stops. The time and effort you invest now to improve the health of your knee and avoid future problems are worth it.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Football injury could result in bruised bone.

One of the ligaments inside my knee was injured in a recent football game. I’m wondering about the knee bones. My biology teacher said ligaments are attached to bones. Do the bones get hurt, too?

Good job thinking it through! In fact, bones are often bruised when the ligaments that attach to them get torn. These “bruises” can’t be seen on an X-ray. They can be seen with MRI scans. A bone bruise is like a small fracture of the bone. Most bruises will go away completely. But it’s still unclear what the bone injury will mean in the long term. Scientists are concerned that the initial bone injury eventually causes the bone to become less resilient–less “bouncy.” With the shock absorbers down, the cartilage that covers the knee joint ends up taking more force. This can take a toll on the joint surfaces, and may lead to arthritic changes in the knee joint. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Osteoarthritis and obesity a “catch-22”

I have osteoarthritis in my knees. I have been trying to loose weight because my doctor told me it could help relieve some of the pain. But whenever I go for a walk, my knees hurt even more. It feels like I’m making the problem worse, so I have stopped exercising altogether. I’m worried that I will keep gaining weight if I don’t exercise. Any suggestions?

This is a “catch-22” situation. It is nearly impossible for most people to loose weight without exercising. Weight gain, in turn, can worsen arthritis pain in the lower body due to the added pressure on the knee joints. You need to find activities that you can tolerate. Walking is great for most, but not all, patients with knee arthritis. You might try water aerobics, bicycling, or yoga instead. You may also want to work with a physical therapist who can help you ease into an exercise program that is right for you. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

Medial, lateral, anterior, posterior – Where does your knee really hurt?

This booklet on knee anatomy should help you answer that question.

 The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com