Knee Doctor in Boston, MA
Knee Injuries
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most easily injured. Your knee is complex with many components including ligaments, bones, cartilage, and tendons. All of these elements work together to give your knee great mobility and functionality.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a knee injury in the Boston area, knee surgeon George Theodore, MD may be able to help. Dr. Theodore is a nationally recognized expert in the management of injuries in professional athletes, and has treated some of the top athletes and dancers in the United States. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in knee injury treatment. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment in Boston with Dr. Theodore.
What are Common Knee Injuries?
In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Knee injuries can result from a sudden incident, overuse, or trauma.
Common knee injuries include:
- Sprains
- Ligament tears like ACL tears and meniscus tears
- Fractures
- Dislocations
The most common knee injuries include sprains and tears of soft tissues like ligaments or meniscus. Fractures and dislocation can also be common.
What are Signs of a Knee Injury?
If you injure your knee, you may feel pain or swelling. These are the most common signs of a knee injury. You may also feel your knee lock or cause instability. You will often limp and be unable to walk.
If you feel a sudden pop or cannot move your knee, seek help right away.
What are Treatment Options for Knee Injuries?
Many knee injuries can be successfully treated with simple measures, such as bracing and rehabilitation exercises. Other injuries may require surgery to correct.
The type of treatment Dr. Theodore recommends will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your injury, and your age, general health, and activity level.
RICE PROTOCOL
A common treatment protocol for knee injuries can help in recovery:
- Rest – Avoid putting weight on the painful knee
- Ice – Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, but not directly on the skin
- Compression – Lightly wrap the injured area in a soft bandage or ace wrap to help with pain and reduce swelling
- Elevation – When resting, elevate the injured knee higher than your heart to help with circulation and swelling
NONSURGICAL OPTIONS
- Physical therapy – Your provider may recommend exercises to restore function to your knee and strengthen supporting muscles
- Knee brace – You may need to immobile your knee with a support brace and crutches to give your knee time to heal
- Anti-inflammatory medications -Your provider may recommend drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling
SURGICAL OPTIONS
- Minimally-invasive knee surgery – Some knee surgeries can be performed using miniature instruments and small incisions to help speed up recovery time
- Traditional surgery – Many fractures and injuries around the knee require surgery to fully restore function to your leg
Schedule a Knee Injury Consultation
If you need help with your knee injury, give us a call to schedule an appointment in Boston. Sports medicine doctor George Theodore, MD is highly trained to diagnose and treat your knee injury so you can reclaim your quality of life. Dr. Theodore is Boston’s top Knee Surgeon and is highly trained to assist in knee symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
