Knee Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee injuries, including ligament tears, cartilage damage, and joint instability. Especially beneficial for athletes and active individuals, knee arthroscopy and sports medicine treatments are designed to reduce downtime and promote faster healing, allowing patients to return to their favorite activities safely and confidently. Dr. Seiter offers advanced arthroscopic and sports medicine techniques tailored to each patient’s unique needs to relieve pain, restore function, and protect long-term joint health.
Treatment Options
Non-surgical sports medicine treatment options for the knee may include:
- Rest and Activity Modification: Patients may be advised to adjust their activities or avoid activities that exacerbate knee pain to prevent further injury and allow healing.
- Bracing and Orthotics: Various devices can provide support and help correct knee joint alignment.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can help you with tailored exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and mobility while preventing future issues.
- Medications and Injections: Anti-inflammatory medications and/or corticosteroid injections can help to relieve inflammation, pain, and swelling.
- Cold, Heat, and Compression Therapy: Alternating ice packs and heat therapy can help provide relief. Ice packs can reduce inflammation and pain, while heat therapy can relax the muscles and improve blood flow to aid recovery. Compression therapy can also help reduce swelling and improve circulation.
In some cases, knee arthroscopy surgery may be necessary. Examples include:
- Ligament Repair and Reconstruction Surgeries
- ACL Reconstruction and Repair: Restores stability by reconstructing or repairing the anterior cruciate ligament.
- PCL Reconstruction and Repair: Rebuilds the posterior cruciate ligament to improve knee support.
- MCL Reconstruction and Repair: Repairs or reconstructs the medial collateral ligament.
- LCL and Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction and Repair: Addresses instability caused by lateral ligament and soft tissue injuries.
- Multiligamentous Knee Reconstruction: Simultaneous reconstruction of multiple knee ligaments following severe trauma to the knee.
- ACL Revision Surgery: Performed when a previous ACL reconstruction fails, and correction or replacement is necessary.
- Patellar Stabilization (MPFL Reconstruction): Restores stability to the kneecap by reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament.
- Knee Preservation: Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Surgeries
- Meniscus Repair: Sutures the torn cartilage to promote healing and preserve joint cushioning.
- Meniscus Debridement/Meniscectomy: Removes damaged cartilage fragments to relieve pain and restore function.
- Meniscus Transplant: Replaces a missing or severely damaged meniscus with donor tissue.
- Cartilage Preservation: Protects existing cartilage (and restores cartilage) to delay degeneration.
- MACI (Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation): Implants the patient’s own cartilage cells into damaged areas for regeneration.
- Osteochondral Allograft: Transplants healthy cartilage and bone from a donor to repair large defects.
- Knee Osteotomy Surgeries
- Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy: Realigns the patellar tendon to reduce kneecap instability or pain.
- Distal Femoral Osteotomy: Corrects thighbone alignment to offload pressure from the knee joint.
- High Tibial Osteotomy: Corrects angular deformities of the knee joint, redistributing body weight to the healthy side of the joint and away from the damaged side.
Candidates for Knee Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Treatment
Patients experiencing the following symptoms may benefit from these treatments:
- Sports-related injuries to ligaments, cartilage, or tendons
- Ongoing knee pain that interferes with activity
- Knee joint instability or recurrent buckling
- Limited range of motion or stiffness in the knee
- Swelling, locking, or grinding sensations in the knee
- Persistent symptoms despite conservative treatments
Dr. Seiter will conduct a thorough evaluation with imaging tests to determine the best treatment plan based on the type and severity of the injury.
Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy and Trauma Treatment
Recovery varies depending on the treatment performed. Most arthroscopic surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, and patients often begin walking the same day with assistance. Post-operative pain may be managed with medication and cold/heat therapy. Physical therapy will usually begin within a few days after surgery to restore mobility, flexibility, and strength.
Patients typically resume light daily activities within 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery—including return to sports or high-impact activities—may take 3 to 6 months, depending on the extent of the injury and procedure performed. Dr. Seiter and your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan to guide your rehabilitation and ensure the best possible outcome.