Knee Pain Treatment
Knee Pain Treatment
Is knee pain holding you back from doing simple, everyday tasks, such as walking, climbing a flight of stairs or getting out of bed each morning? Please don’t delay your care. The team of orthopedic surgeons at the Detroit Medical Center are here for you.
We specialize in treating all kinds of knee pain, including the following:
- Arthritis
- Ligament injuries including ACL tears
- Muscle or tendon injuries
- Cartilage injuries including meniscus tears
- Fractures / dislocations
- Bone deformity or abnormal rotation
Our team of orthopedic surgeons, non-operative sports medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurses and physical therapists work together with you to design a personalized treatment plan, helping to reduce your pain and increase your mobility and activity level.
Not all knee pain requires surgery. We work with you to diagnose the source of your pain and typically start with a conservative, nonoperative approach.
Some of our nonsurgical treatment options include the following:
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone (or steroid) injection
- Hyaluronic acid injection (gel shots)
- Medications
- Platelet-rich-plasma injection (PRP)
- Acupuncture
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
- Tenex procedure
- Weight loss
- Activity modification
- Bracing
If you have a serious knee injury or problem, surgery may be the preferred option to repair the damage. You and your doctor will discuss your knee pain and evaluate your options including both joint preservation options as well as replacement options.
Some of the surgical procedures we specialize in include the following:
- Total knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement
- Knee arthroscopy (scope)
- Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
- Joint cartilage reconstruction
- Bone realignment to correct deformity
- Procedures to stabilize kneecap instability
- Fracture or dislocation management
In knee replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the arthritic ends of the bone, and resurfaces that with a metal implant. Over the past several years, the surgery has become far less invasive than in past years (minimally invasive surgery) as techniques and equipment have improved. Almost all patients are now considered candidates for this minimally invasive approach. Almost all implant designs consist of two metal components to cover the end of the thigh bone (femur) and the top of the shin bone (tibia). The metal is usually mainly a composite of chrome and cobalt. A durable piece of plastic (polyethylene) is sized to fit between the metal surfaces as a new cushion and make the knee stable. A plastic button may be used to make the kneecap more comfortable and fit in the new metal groove. The artificial joint may be secured in place by natural bone growing into the metal, or can be cemented into place if the bone is more fragile.
Joint replacement surgeries are performed at DMC Harper University Hospital, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital and DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital.
Orthopedic surgeons at the Detroit Medical Center utilize Mako SmartRobotics™, a robot-assisted surgical option to perform your total knee replacement. Mako uses 3D CT-based planning software so your surgeon can know more about your anatomy to create a personalized joint replacement surgical plan.
The Detroit Medical Center has performed thousands of joint replacement surgeries with Mako SmartRobotics™ since 2012.
Potential benefits of Mako SmartRobotics™ compared to traditional joint replacement surgery may include the following:
- Precise resurfacing of the arthritic portion of the knee
- Optimal implant positioning resulting in a more natural feeling knee following surgery
- Less pain
- Quicker recovery time
- Lower risk of complications
- Accurate placement of implants reduces the need for future surgeries on that knee.
When you hear ‘robotic-arm assisted technology,’ it’s important to understand that the Mako robotic-arm doesn’t actually perform the surgery. Surgery is still performed by your orthopedic surgeon, who uses the Mako system software to pre-plan your surgery, and the robotic arm to help prepare the bones for your new knee extremely precisely.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend partial knee replacement instead of total knee replacement. This may also be performed with the Mako SmartRobotics™ system. Partial knee replacement is appropriate in certain patients, who also have their knee arthritis confined to only one side of the knee, or just under the kneecap.
Partial knee replacement has potential advantages in the right patient, which may include the following:
- Less invasive surgery
- Preservation of all healthy bone and ligaments
- Less blood loss
- Reduced pain after surgery
- Shorter recovery time, and reduced hospital stay.
- A more natural feeling knee
Unfortunately, some knee replacements may need to be re-done, usually because they have worn out after many years. Other knees might need to be re-done due to other complications. Fortunately, DMC’s orthopedic surgeons are experienced in re-doing knee replacements to restore normal knee movement and relieve pain.
Why Choose DMC for Knee Replacement?
The DMC provides safe and compassionate orthopedic care at six hospitals, 11 physician clinics and over 20 outpatient physical therapy centers throughout Metro Detroit. We are also proud to be the medical services provider for Detroit City FC and the United Shore Professional Baseball League.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has designated DMC Harper University Hospital and DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital as Blue Distinction Centers for knee and hip replacement. Blue Distinction Centers are healthcare facilities and providers recognized for their experience in delivering specialty care.
DMC's orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians have performed thousands of joint replacement and orthopedic procedures from the simplest to the most complex. DMC hospitals have a total of four robots that perform minimally invasive, robot-assisted hip and knee joint replacements. To help treat our patients better, we invest our time in improving our orthopedic knowledge, quality of service and hospital safety. The DMC voluntarily participates in clinical trials and other initiatives that may help improve the success rates of patients.