Knee Treatment

Numerous treatment options are available to treat knee pain, depending on the underlying cause, symptoms, and severity of injury.

Initial conservative treatment may consist of rest, immobilization, ice or heat, over-the-counter pain relievers, stretching, or other exercise as prescribed by a physician.

Surgery is often required when more conservative treatment is ineffective.  Surgery may be open or arthroscopic depending on the type of procedure to be done.

For arthroscopic surgery an arthroscope is inserted through a small incision near the knee. The arthroscope includes a light and a small camera, which transmits an enlarged image of the inside of the knee onto a monitor in the surgical suite.  The doctor can then insert any needed surgical instruments through the arthroscope or additional small incisions.

Patients recover from knee arthroscopy much more quickly than from traditional (open) knee surgery.  Although it can usually be done on an outpatient basis, and patients can go home the same day the arthroscopic surgery is performed, full recovery may take weeks or months. As with any knee injury, it is recommended to speak with an orthopedic surgeon.