ACL Doctor & Knee Doctor in Marrero, LA

Orthopedic Treatment Options for Knee Injuries

At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, our board-certified knee pain doctors treat a wide range of knee conditions and injuries. Using our minimally-invasive approach, we help patients to regain the freedom to move their knees without pain or discomfort, ultimately allowing them to return to their lives as normal.

Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

• ACL Tear: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) works together with the other ligaments in the knee to connect the femur to the tibia and support the knee joint. A tear in the ACL is one of the most common knee injuries, causing the joint to become unstable and slide forward too much.
  • This injury occurs most often in athletes and causes pain, swelling, tenderness and limited motion. While non-surgical treatments can work, some patients require ACL replacement surgery to return their knees to full function.

• Bursitis: Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs — called bursae — that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.
  • Treatment typically involves resting the affected joint and protecting it from further trauma. In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare-ups of bursitis are common.

• Jumper's Knee: Tendonitis in the knee joint most often affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shin bone and aids in the extension and strength of the knee. Patellar tendonitis occurs when the patellar tendon and surrounding tissues become inflamed and irritated as a result of overuse. This condition often develops from excessive jumping, and is sometimes referred to as “jumper’s knee.” Patients with patellar tendonitis may experience pain in the kneecap that is worse with activity, and swelling around the knee as well.
  • Treatment for patellar tendonitis usually begins with conservative methods such as rest, applying ice, bracing and anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce symptoms and restore the tendon to its regular state. Surgery is rarely needed to correct this condition, and is only performed on patients with chronic tendonitis that involves a degenerative tendon.

• Knee Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear or degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of the disease, affecting millions of people in the US each year. This condition is most common in older patients whose cartilage has worn down over time, and in athletes who have worn down their cartilage from overuse and repetitive motions. Patients with osteoarthritis may experience pain, swelling and stiffness within the joint, which tend to worsen as the condition progresses.
  • Treatment for arthritis in knees initially focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms, and may include rest, physical therapy, bracing, anti-inflammatory medication and injections. More severe cases of osteoarthritis may require knee cartilage replacement surgery to replace the joint. Most procedures can be performed through arthroscopy, which significantly reduces bleeding, scarring and recovery times.

• Meniscal Tear: Made of cushioning cartilage, the C-shaped meniscus performs many functions in the knee: it stabilizes the joint, helps it carry weight, facilitates turning in many directions, and keeps the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shin) from rubbing together. Athletic injury (trauma) or weakened tissue associated with aging or illness (degeneration) can tear the meniscus. Movements most likely to result in a meniscal tear are twisting the knee, pivoting, cutting and rapidly decelerating. A meniscal tear may occur at the same time as an ACL tear.
  • Symptoms of a meniscal tear include stiffness, swelling, pain, tightness, tenderness, and fluid build-up frequently described as “water on the knee.” If a piece of the meniscus breaks off in the joint, the knee may pop, slip or lock (become stuck at a 45-degree angle until physically moved out of the position). Meniscus tear surgery is sometimes necessary in order to restore full functionality. 

• Patellofemoral Pain: The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, helps increase leverage and support within the knee joint. Pain may develop in the patella as a result of overuse or injury, and often causes a fracture. Patella fractures can involve a single crack across the kneecap or a break into several pieces, and usually causes severe pain and swelling.
  • Surgery may be required for more intense patella fractures, and aims to repair the patella by realigning the fractured ends and holding them in place with pins, screws and wires. Part of the bone may just be removed in smaller fractures. During the healing process, the knee must be kept straight, and patients will often undergo physical therapy to help restore movement to the joint.

• Runner's Knee: Runner’s knee is a common ailment affecting runners and other athletes as a result of overuse, trauma, misalignment or weak muscles and leading to pain and other symptoms. Any activity that requires frequent knee bending, including walking, biking or jumping, can result in runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome. Athletes with runner’s knee often experience pain behind or around the kneecap which may worsen while walking, kneeling, running or sitting, as well as swelling and a popping sensation in the knee. 
  • Your doctor may perform an x-ray, MRI or CT scan in addition to a complete medical evaluation in order to diagnose this condition. For many patients, runner’s knee can be effectively healed through simple life remedies like resting, icing and elevating the knee, wearing arch supports, taking anti-inflammatory medications and performing stretching and strengthening exercises. 
  • Severe cases may require surgery to remove damaged cartilage or realign the kneecap to evenly distribute pressure. Your doctor will develop a customized treatment plan for your individual condition.