Your knees take a lot of abuse, especially if you participate in sports. As the largest joint in your body, the knee is also the joint that is most vulnerable to injury because of its complexity.
The knee consists of four main components:
- Bones
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Cartilage
With all these parts, there is a lot that can go wrong. You may worry if you will ever fully recover if you suffer a severe knee injury, especially if your particular injury involves more than one part of your knee. The good thing is that if you do severely injure your knee, you have a better chance for a positive outcome if you seek immediate medical care.
First Choice in Arthroscopic Surgery in Tustin, CA
No one wants to hear that he or she needs to have surgery on his or her knee. When you are seeking treatment for a knee injury, it is a good idea to locate a surgeon who provides both non-surgical treatment and surgical options, including arthroscopic surgery if needed. In the Tustin, CA area, Dr. Howard Marans of OCOrthopedic+ recognizes the individual needs of each patient that comes through his door. Dr. Marans is highly skilled and experienced with arthroscopic procedures.
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to make the repairs that are needed within your knee with tiny incisions. The surgeon will insert a small camera into the knee via a tube inserted into one of these incisions. He will then be able to view the injury and make repairs using special instruments without having to completely open your need.
Beginning with a Conservative Approach
Before proceeding with arthroscopic surgery, Dr. Marans may first recommend a conservative approach for treating your knee injury. This involves noninvasive treatments that help reduce pain and inflammation, while giving your knee the opportunity to begin healing, such as
- Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE)
- Avoiding physical activity to avoid further injury or aggravating knee pain
- Prescription or over-the-counter NSAIDS to treat pain and inflammation
- Knee brace to help stabilize the knee to prevent further injury
- Physical therapy to maintain or increase surrounding muscle strength and range of motion
Strains and sprains are very common knee injuries, and while they may be very painful, surgery is not usually indicated. However, if you tear a ligament, tendon or your meniscus, arthroscopic surgery may be indicated depending on the severity of the tear. Injuries to these parts of your knee can jeopardize its stability. This puts you at higher risk for new injuries to other parts of your knee if it were to give out.
First Choice for Arthroscopic Surgery
When you need arthroscopic surgery, Dr. Howard Marans is your first choice in the Tustin, CA area. He has earned a reputation as a renowned orthopedic surgeon who has successfully treated thousands of amateur and professional athletes. Do not delay treatment, please click below to schedule your consultation – or – call us at 714.979.8981.
