Treatments

Degenerative arthritis is essentially wear and tear that occurs in the knee joint either from an injury or from aging. People that are heavy or have had injuries in the past are much more susceptible to degenerative arthritis.

Degenerative arthritis is diagnosed with plain x-rays and ultrasound technique, which can show the thickness of the swelling in the soft tissues of the knee and the amount of cartilage damage present in the knee.

Nonsurgical treatments involve specific stretches, exercises, injections of either cortisone or knee lubrication solutions are possibilities. Of course, having strong muscles and flexible joints along with appropriate body weight are very beneficial to the knee.

There are four main ligaments to the knee, the cruciate ligaments, and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. These ligaments are frequently injured in slip, fall and athletic activities. If a ligament is completely ruptured, possible surgery is indicated. Partial tears can be treated with conservative care including bracing and exercises.

Diagnosis of ligament injuries can be made with ultrasound technique, x-ray or MRI scans.

Menisci are frequently injured during twisting, torquing injuries to the knee. Frequently the tears are partial and will heal on their own, but if displaced, will require repair or partial removal of the meniscal tissue.

Diagnosis can be performed with ultrasound technique or MRI scans to the knee

A Baker’s cyst is a collection of fluid that communicates with the knee joint or a tendon in the back part of the knee. Baker’s cyst can be large and contain similar fluid to that which is in a normal knee.

Baker’s cyst can be diagnosed with an MRI scan or an MRI scan.

Treatment of a Baker’s cyst in the early phases is aspiration, which can be accomplished with ultrasound guidance with high specificity. If the origin of the Baker’s cyst can be found, a trephination procedure can be performed to stop the Baker’s cyst from reoccurring. In rare instances, a Baker’s cyst may need to be surgically removed.

Patella tendonitis is pain below the kneecap, which hurts more with activities such as getting out of a chair, jumping or walking. The pathology is tearing of the internal fibers of the patella tendon, which has a very poor blood supply. Frequently, patella tendonitis forms scar tissue and is extremely difficult to treat without some intervention.

Patella tendonitis is most accurately diagnosed with ultrasound. The exact location of the torn fibers can be found and treatment directed appropriately from there.

Patella Tendonitis is amenable to a multiple trephination technique with ultrasound guidance and also plasma rich protein injections are very beneficial.

Quadriceps tendonitis is pain on the top portion of the kneecap where the tendon that inserts in this region has partially pulled off and caused scar tissue. This type of pain hurts most from getting up from a chair, jumping, or climbing hills

Quadriceps tendonitis is accurately diagnosed with ultrasound technique and is not visualized on plain x-rays.

Treatment for quadriceps tendonitis can be done with multiple trephination technique under local anesthesia in the office. In this area, with resistant cases, platelet rich plasma protein injections can also be performed.