Articles

Over the years, knee joints degenerate and get damaged making it difficult to perform simple daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. This condition is described as knee osteoarthritis. Sometimes degeneration is so severe that the patient reports pain even when sitting or lying down. Conservative treatment, such as analgesics or a walking cane,…

Arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure in which a joint is accessed through a small camera (arthroscope) and specially designed tools. Knee arthroscopy gives the surgeon a clear view of the interior of the joint, useful for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. Technological advances have led to high-resolution screens and cameras, making arthroscopy…

Before undergoing total knee arthroplasty, the physician discusses in detail with the patient the available options for anesthesia. The right choice of anesthesia is an important parameter that can affect recovery; therefore, a careful discussion with the orthopedist and anesthetist is deemed necessary. Several factors should be considered when choosing anesthesia, including: Past experiences and…

Robotic technology can now be used for partial knee replacement (PKR), a procedure designed to relieve the patient of the pain caused by degenerative osteoarthritis in one or both of the knee joints. By selectively replacing that part of the knee that has been degenerated due to osteoarthritis, the surgeon can only replace one part…

ANATOMY The knee joint consists of three bones: the femur, the tibia and the patella. The last one is located in front of the joint and provides, among other things, protection. These bones are joined together by ligaments. There are four main knee ligaments, which act as strong straps (ropes) to hold the bones in…

The patient, after total knee arthroplasty, expects to return to pre-operative lifestyle without pain, which is true, but requires a reasonable amount of time. For this reason, active involvement of the patient in the postoperative rehabilitation program will help achieve the goal faster and have a better overall outcome. At the end of the program,…

The importance of exercise Exercising on a regular basis is necessary to restore mobility and muscular strength of the knee. Most of these exercises can be executed at home. The treating physician will instruct the patient to perform a specific home exercise program 2 to 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time.…

The goal of total knee arthroplasty is to relieve the pain of the patient and restore joint function. Although total knee replacement, called arthroplasty, is an excellent option for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, there are still other options. Patients with osteoarthritis confined to a single knee compartment may be candidates for unicompartmental knee…

In recent years huge steps have been taken to improve tissue regeneration and to use this technique in arthropathies that do not respond to traditional therapies. Laboratory and clinical studies have proven that mature stem cells can be used in a number of degenerative diseases. Such treatments provide patients with alternatives to the traditional methods…

Today, it is a widespread practice to try all conservative (non-surgical) methods in the management of the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. When the non-surgical treatment options fail, the orthopedist must recommend surgery. The arthroscopic washout is a valid surgical treatment option, but under strict conditions and with the right indications.   What Is An Arthroscopic…