Knee Pain Treatment at Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Houston, TX
Knee pain treatment often includes a combination of therapies, from braces and medications to physical therapy and surgery. For several decades, Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston, Texas, has been providing comprehensive knee injury treatment to patients of all activity levels, making individualized recommendations based on each patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, personal preferences and lifestyle.
To determine the most appropriate treatments for a patient who is experiencing knee pain, our knee joint specialists evaluate each of the bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments that make up the knee anatomy. An injury to any of these components can cause pain, weakness, knee instability and inflammation, leading to significant reductions in range of motion and quality of life. With a team of medical professionals who specialize in knee pain diagnosis and treatment, Advanced Orthopaedics is able to provide comprehensive care for osteoarthritis, runner’s knee, ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus tears, fractures and other conditions affecting the knees. We also treat leg and lower extremity conditions such as hamstring strains and broken femurs.
At Advanced Orthopaedics, we provide a comprehensive range of conservative and surgical treatments for knee pain, including:
- Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid and hyaluronan injections
- Arthroscopic reconstruction surgery
- Partial and total knee replacements
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Chiropractic knee adjustments
- Kinesio taping
- Bracing and casting
Because we offer a full spectrum of services under one roof, patients who turn to Advanced Orthopaedics for knee pain treatment don’t have to worry about traveling from one Houston clinic to the next, no matter how many services they require. Not only do we provide pain management, physical therapy, chiropractic care and surgical services, but we also complete our own diagnostic imaging, making it even simpler for our patients to get back to their active lifestyles with fewer appointments and disruptions.
If you’d like to learn more about knee pain treatment or schedule an appointment with a knee doctor, contact Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine today. We proudly serve Houston, TX, and all of the surrounding areas.
Anatomy
The knee is a complex joint made up of different structures - bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. They all work together to maintain the knee’s normal function and provide stability to the knee during movement.
Having a well-functioning healthy knee is essential for our mobility and ability to participate in various activities. Understanding the anatomy of the knee enhances your ability to discuss and choose the right treatment procedure for knee problems with your doctor.
Bones of the Knee
The knee is a hinge joint made up of two bones, the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). There are two round knobs at the end of the femur called femoral condyles that articulate with the flat surface of the tibia called the tibial plateau. The tibial plateau on the inside of the leg is called the medial tibial plateau and on the outside of the leg, the lateral tibial plateau.
The two femoral condyles form a groove on the front (anterior) side of the knee called the patellofemoral groove. A small bone called the patella sits in this groove and forms the kneecap. It acts as a shield and protects the knee joint from direct trauma.
A fourth bone called the fibula is the other bone of the lower leg. This forms a small joint with the tibia. This joint has very little movement and is not considered a part of the main joint of the knee.
Articular Cartilage and Menisci of the Knee
Movement of the bones causes friction between the articulating surfaces. To reduce this friction, all articulating surfaces involved in the movement are covered with a white, shiny, slippery layer called articular cartilage. The articulating surface of the femoral condyles, tibial plateaus and the back of the patella are covered with this cartilage. The cartilage provides a smooth surface that facilitates easy movement.
To further reduce friction between the articulating surfaces of the bones, the knee joint is lined by a synovial membrane that produces a thick clear fluid called synovial fluid. This fluid lubricates and nourishes the cartilage and bones inside the joint capsule.
Within the knee joint, between the femur and tibia, are two C-shaped cartilaginous structures called menisci. Menisci function to provide stability to the knee by spreading the weight of the upper body across the whole surface of the tibial plateau. The menisci help in load-bearing i.e. it prevents the weight from concentrating onto a small area, which could damage the articular cartilage. The menisci also act as a cushion between the femur and tibia by absorbing the shock produced by activities such as walking, running and jumping.
Ligaments of the Knee
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect one bone to another bone. The ligaments of the knee stabilize the knee joint. There are two important groups of ligaments that hold the bones of the knee joint together, collateral and cruciate ligaments.
Collateral ligaments are present on either side of the knee. They prevent the knee from moving too far during side to side motion. The collateral ligament on the inside is called the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the collateral ligament on the outside is called the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
Cruciate ligaments, present inside the knee joint, control the back-and-forth motion of the knee. The cruciate ligament in the front of the knee is called anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the cruciate ligament in the back of the knee is called posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Muscles of the Knee
There are two major muscles in the knee - the quadriceps and the hamstrings, which enable movement of the knee joint. The quadriceps muscles are located in front of the thigh. When the quadriceps muscles contract, the knee straightens. The hamstrings are located at the back of the thigh. When the hamstring muscles contract, the knee bends.
Tendons of the Knee
A tendon is a tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. The quadriceps muscles of the knee meet just above the patella and attach to it through a tendon called the quadriceps tendon. The patella further attaches to the tibia through a tendon called the patella tendon. The quadriceps muscle, quadriceps tendon, and patellar tendon all work together to straighten the knee. Similarly, the hamstring muscles at the back of the leg are attached to the knee joint with the hamstring tendon.
