Knee Care

Your knee joint is the area where your thigh bone (femur) and lower leg bone (tibia) meet. The area is covered by your patella. The patella is a bone better known as the kneecap. Cartilage covers the joint surfaces, allowing the bones to move easily.

Ligaments in your knee are fibrous tissues that connect your bones together and provide stability. Tendons connect muscles to your bones, allowing for movement. Finally, menisci (the plural form of meniscus) are a type of cartilage that act as a shock absorber between your femur and tibia.

Problems with any of the components of your knee can cause knee pain and mobility issues. Some of the most common knee conditions we treat include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries — ACL injuries occur when this ligament, found in the middle of your knee, becomes overstretched or tears. You may hear a popping sound when this occurs. Other symptoms include swelling, instability and the inability to bear weight.
• Collateral ligament injuries — Collateral ligaments are found on the sides of your knee, outside the joint. The ligaments may tear or be strained. Symptoms include pain at the sides of your knee, swelling and instability.
• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome — IT band syndrome causes pain on the outside of your knee. It occurs when a tendon known as the iliotibial band rubs against the bones of your knee, causing irritation.
• Knee arthritis — Knee arthritis occurs when the cartilage in your knee joint deteriorates. This can lead to pain, swelling and stiffness. In some cases, the knee may be red and feel warm.
• Meniscus tears — Meniscal tears may occur during activity when your body turns or twists but your foot stays in place. Sometimes they occur when cartilage wears away over time. Symptoms include pain, swelling and a feeling that your knee is locking up.
• Posterior cruciate ligament tears — Your PCL is located inside your knee, behind your ACL. Like the ACL, it may become overstretched or tear. This type of injury causes symptoms similar to an ACL injury. However, many people don’t report a popping sensation. Often, they believe they have a minor knee problem.
• Runner’s knee — Runner’s knee is also known as patellofemoral pain. It causes discomfort around your kneecap. It may be related to patella tendonitis, patellar tracking dysfunction or chondromalacia patella, a condition that causes cartilage under the kneecap to soften or wear away. Often, people describe patellofemoral pain as the kneecap rubbing, grinding or clicking. 
• Sesamoiditis — Bones such as your kneecap are sesamoids. These are bones that aren’t connected to other bones. Instead, they’re connected to tendons or embedded in your muscles. Sesamoiditis occurs when tendons surrounding sesamoids become inflamed following a sesamoid fracture.
• Tendonitis — Tendonitis refers to inflammation of your tendon. It’s often caused by repetitive movements and overuse. It can cause pain to the touch and with movement. Swelling also may be present.

If you have knee pain, doctors rely on your history, a physical exam and imaging tests to make a diagnosis. Once the cause of your symptoms is identified, attention shifts to treatment.

Treatment is personalized to your condition and your unique needs. Our highly trained, experienced orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons, skilled physical and occupational therapists and caring nurses work together to address your symptoms and help you return to an active lifestyle.

Through our New England Baptist Orthopedics (NEBO) Program, in many cases, care is available in your local community.

Conservative Treatments

In most cases, knee doctors try conservative therapies first. These might include recommendations for rest, ice, compression and elevating your knee, or simply stopping activities that are contributing to your condition.

Your doctor also might order medication, bracing or physical therapy. Certain exercises often can help strengthen your knee and reduce discomfort.

For some conditions, better footwear or orthotics may be helpful, as well.

Specialized Care

We offer specialized care for certain conditions. For example, we have experts who focus on treating arthritis. 

Joint Preservation is designed to treat the many conditions that may damage your knee joint. Using both nonsurgical and surgical treatments, this program may help delay or prevent the need for joint replacement surgery.

Surgery

If less invasive treatments don’t help you, surgery may be an option. In some situations, it may be a first-line treatment.

Our orthopedic surgeons are experts in their field and offer the most advanced surgical techniques, including robotic technology. This allows us to operate with extreme precision and makes surgery easier for you.

Here, you receive award-winning treatment, including care during knee replacement. Our team’s work has helped NEBH receive the Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Knee Replacement from The Joint Commission. Our hospital also has received the top rating of “High Performing” from U.S. News & World Report for knee replacement.

When you have knee replacement surgery here, we focus on putting you at ease and getting the best results. Before surgery, we offer a virtual class. It teaches you about your procedure and how to get ready. We also offer a detailed rehabilitation program to aid in your recovery.

Once your physical therapy ends following joint replacement surgery, our Maintaining Motion Knee Replacement Program is available. It allows you to continue exercising under the guidance of our trained physical therapists.