Knee
What Can You Expect at Our Knee Center?
Our Knee Center is designed to provide our knee patients with comprehensive education and exceptional care through the vast experience, training, and knowledge of our knee experts.
Having dedicated their practices to providing specialized care of the knee, our knee doctors are committed to offering the latest and most advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, including ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, knee arthroscopy, and MAKOplasty knee replacement. They understand that while knee surgery is sometimes the best treatment solution for one patient, it is not always the right treatment option for every patient as there may be another nonsurgical option that is more beneficial for that patient.
For instance, sometimes our knee specialists are able to prescribe a medication that improves your condition or recommend physical therapy, which can bring about gradual improvements that can help with pain management. Our specialists will work with you to understand your individual needs and recommend the best treatment option for you.
If our knee doctors believe that a type of surgery, such as knee replacement, is the best option for you, they will educate you on the surgical process and what to expect during the postsurgical period.
Patients with knee pain often begin by taking an over-the-counter medication to reduce their knee pain. Sometimes, these over-the-counter drugs can be quite helpful and even result in a person becoming pain-free; although, the pain relief may be temporary.
Other times, people experience knee pain that doesn't go away, such as knee pain due to arthritis. When this happens, making an appointment with a knee doctor or knee surgeon can be helpful. These medical specialists have the expertise to know what is needed—whether that is a knee surgery, such as total knee replacement, or a nonsurgical treatment option, such as a corticosteroid injection.
If you are a patient with knee pain that is not improving, an orthopaedic knee surgeon or doctor can diagnose you and discuss your treatment options with you. The solution could be basic knee care; a cartilage procedure, like cartilage restoration; or a knee surgery, such as knee replacement.
Knee doctors and orthopaedic surgeons have a deep level of understanding of this weight-bearing joint and its anatomy, including the kneecap, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and all the other tissues that makes up this joint.
To treat patients, they use their expertise to read X-rays and develop a treatment plan tailored to the patient. This plan may involve a nonsurgical treatment option or a form of knee surgery, such as total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, or a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure.
Today, there are many state-of-the-art technical tools available that surgeons and doctors can utilize. For instance, there is MAKOplasty®, which is a surgeon-controlled robotic-arm assisted technique that can be utilized in knee replacement surgery. This technology allows for optimum positioning of the components to maximize the longevity of the implant as well as to minimize the potential complications.
After a knee surgery, orthopaedic knee surgeons continue to offer follow-up care, regardless if it is a minimally invasive procedure, such as arthroscopic surgery, or a complete joint replacement. This helps to ensure the patient heals properly after a knee surgery, like joint replacement.
Knee Doctors and Sports Medicine
Some orthopaedic surgeons specialize in treating athletic knee injuries and practice at a sports medicine center or serve as team doctors. One of the most common injuries they see is called a meniscus tear. This injury often happens behind the knee when the athlete turns or pivots. Meniscus tears sometimes occur at the same time as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. If these tears are complete or nearly complete, nonsurgical treatments are often not an option and knee surgery may be required.
Know When It’s Time to Get Help
If you are experiencing any of the types of knee issues described below—especially if you have been experiencing them for more than a few days—schedule an appointment with a knee specialist.
- Knee feels unstable
- Knee joint catches or locks up when you use it
- Popping or crunching sound
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Walking is difficult or feels unsafe
- Weakness
A specialty-trained knee doctor may diagnose you with one of these knee conditions or injuries:
- A form of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
- Bursitis
- Cartilage damage
- Collateral ligament injury
- Fracture
- Meniscus tear
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
- Sports-related injury
Professional Orthopaedic Associates: Get Back to a Life Without Limits
Since 1985, we have been offering excellence in orthopaedic and sports medicine care. Our fellowship-trained and specialty-trained knee doctors, Dr. Harry Bade, Dr. Christopher Johnson, Dr. Brian Torpey, Dr. Gregg Foos, Dr. David Gentile, Dr. Mark Gesell, Dr. Ryan Plyler, and Dr. Gregory Parker, have years of expertise in diagnosing and treating knee injuries and conditions. They draw from this combined knowledge base to bring the very best to our knee patients.
Additionally, they value and are committed to ongoing professional education. Our specialists attend courses and proactively learn the latest procedures and surgical techniques. They also serve as thought leaders, lecturing and writing about orthopaedic treatment related to knee care. Our surgeons are some of the most highly respected in our region.
To consult with one of our knee specialists, please call (732) 530-4949. We have offices conveniently located in Tinton Falls, Toms River, and Freehold.