Knee Overview

Knee Overview

The knee is one of the largest and most heavily loaded joints in the body. It provides the combination of motion, strength, and stability necessary for everything from normal walking and climbing stairs to running, jumping, and athletic activity. Because of the forces placed across the knee, problems can develop from injury, repetitive activity, abnormal mechanics, or simply wear over time.

My approach begins with understanding the individual patient, not simply the diagnosis. The same meniscus tear, ligament injury, or degree of arthritis can affect two people very differently depending on their age, activity level, symptoms, goals, and overall situation. I believe patients should understand what is causing their problem, what their options are, and why I am recommending a particular course of treatment.

Treatment is tailored to both the problem and what the patient is trying to accomplish. For some patients, that means managing symptoms and maintaining an active lifestyle without surgery. For others, restoring function may require arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, patellofemoral stabilization, or partial or total knee replacement. The objective is not simply to treat an X-ray or MRI, but to improve how the knee functions and allow each patient to get back to the level of activity that is important to them.