Our top knee surgeon helps you to find relief from your knee issues.
For quality care, visit the best knee surgeon in Mission Viejo at Orange County Orthopedic Center. At our office, we help patients experience pain relief from a wide variety of orthopedic conditions that can develop all over the body.
- We place a focus on minimally invasive methods and treatments
- Our goal is to help you return to your regular activities more quickly
Your knees can be easily injured because of the amount of shock and impact they absorb throughout the day, whether it’s just through walking or through more intensive physical activity. Unfortunately, knee injuries can make resuming normal activities challenging.
Some of the most common orthopedic knee problems that we see include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
- Fractures
- Unstable kneecap
- Meniscal tears
- Collateral ligament injuries
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Instability
- Runner’s knee
- Arthritis of the knee
- Bursitis
- Osteonecrosis of the knee
Do I need to see a doctor?
If you are experiencing any problems with your knee, you might be wondering if you need to visit the best knee surgeon in Mission Viejo.
In general, we suggest that you schedule an appointment with our center if you are experiencing any knee issues. This includes consistent pain or a sudden onset of symptoms such as weakness, lack of mobility, tenderness, pain, swelling, redness, or your knee feeling warm to the touch. We recommend that you visit us because problems in your knee can be caused by orthopedic issues in the knee itself or even elsewhere in the body. For example, hip issues and sciatica can cause pain in the knee. You shouldn’t need to adjust your sleep or activity level to accommodate for knee issues, so let us know if you are making any lifestyle changes due to your knee.
Contact us if you notice any sudden symptoms in your knee, such as weakness, lack of mobility, swelling, redness, tenderness, or a knee that is warm to the touch. You should also let us know if you experience pain for any extended period of time. Sometimes, pain in your knee can be related to problems elsewhere in your body. For example, hip problems and sciatica can cause pain in your knee.
How are knee issues diagnosed?
Diagnosing a knee problem can sometimes be as simple as a physical examination. During your consultation, the best knee surgeon in Mission Viejo will ask you about your knee pain or stiffness. These questions will cover when you first noticed the problem, what you believe is its cause, and if there are any activities or movements that make it feel worse or better. Your knee surgeon will also check your strength, reflexes, and range of motion to try and learn more about your problem.
Imaging tests might also be used to rule out some conditions and help pinpoint your issue. These imaging tests, like x-rays and MRIs, can also be helpful when it comes to finding out how severe your problem is.
A proper diagnosis is very important when it comes to being able to treat your knee problems. If you are not diagnosed correctly, you could waste time on treatments that are not effective for you. Be sure to cooperate with your doctor by mentioning any information you think could be useful in determining the cause of your knee pain so that you can return to normal activities sooner.
Are there home treatments that I can try?
For many orthopedic conditions, there are home treatments that are effective. Usually, these approaches area meant to complement in-office treatments as well. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for care so that you can resume regular activities and find relief quickly.
The R.I.C.E. method is popular for many orthopedic conditions. This consists of rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Your doctor might also give you exercises and stretches to do at home to help improve your strength, range of motion, and flexibility. These exercises and stretches can provide quick relief and can also benefit you in the future if your problem ever resurfaces.
Your doctor might also suggest that you wear a knee brace at home to keep it stable, or to help you continue moving without pain. Even once you have healed from an injury, you might still need to wear the brace during sporting events or exercise in order to reduce your chances of being injured again.
It’s not unusual for more than one approach to be needed in order to provide total relief from an orthopedic condition or a knee injury. Your doctor will help you explore in-office treatments that could be useful as well.