Our commitment is to assist patients with knee pain who have a diminished quality of life by using state-of-the-art, proven treatments using both surgical and non-surgical methods. Treatment is provided by the most experienced knee specialists in the Intermountain West.
When a knee is damaged by disease or injury, the proper treatment ranges from therapy to arthroscopic surgery or an artificial knee replacement.
The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities such as jogging and aerobics.
The knee is formed by the following parts:
Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.
Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.
Patella. This is the kneecap.
Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is two long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
There are two groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles (located on the front of the thighs), which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles (located on the back of the thighs), which bend the leg at the knee.
Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia (shin bone).
Many knee problems are a result of the aging process and continual wear and stress on the knee joint (i.e., arthritis). Other knee problems are a result of an injury or a sudden movement that strains the knee. Common knee problems include the following:
Sprained or strained knee ligaments and/or muscles. A sprained or strained knee ligament or muscle is usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden twist of the knee. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking.
Torn cartilage. Trauma to the knee can tear the menisci (pads of connective tissue that act as shock absorbers and also enhance stability). Cartilage tears can often occur with sprains. Treatment may involve wearing a brace during an activity to protect the knee from further injury. Surgery may be needed to repair the tear.
Tendonitis. Inflammation of the tendons may result from overuse of a tendon during certain activities such as running, jumping, or cycling. Tendonitis of the patellar tendon is called jumper's knee. This often occurs with sports such as basketball, where the force of hitting the ground after a jump strains the tendon.
Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knee. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process where the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away, and often affects middle-age and older people. Osteoarthritis may be caused by excess stress on the joint such as repeated injury or being overweight.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the knees by causing the joint to become inflamed and by destroying the knee cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects persons at an earlier age than osteoarthritis.
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for knee problems may include the following:
X-ray. A diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body; can often determine damage or disease in a surrounding ligament or muscle.
Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.
Arthroscopy. A minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of a joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted, optic tube (arthroscope) which is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a screen; used to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joint; to detect bone diseases and tumors; to determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation.
Radionuclide bone scan. A nuclear imaging technique that uses a very small amount of radioactive material, which is injected into the patient's bloodstream to be detected by a scanner. This test shows blood flow to the bone and cell activity within the bone.
Specific treatment for knee problems will be determined by your doctor based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the disease, injury, or condition
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the disease, injury, or condition
Your opinion or preference
If initial treatment methods do not provide relief, and X-rays show destruction of the joint, the orthopaedist may recommend total joint replacement for the knee.
Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Arthroscopy, Hip Preservation, Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
| Primary Children's Medical Center | (801) 662-5600 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Orthopaedic Surgery, Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7070 |
Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
| Redstone Health Center | (435) 658-9262 |
| Sugar House Health Center | (801) 213-8845 |
Adult Reconstruction, Joint Replacement, Orthopaedic Surgery
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Adult Reconstruction, Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Arthroscopy, Hip Preservation, Hip Replacement, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Periacetabular Osteotomy, Physician Assistant, Surgical Dislocation
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7028 |
Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine
| South Jordan Health Center | (801) 213-4500 |
Orthopaedic Surgery, Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Foot and Ankle, Internal Medicine, General, Sports Medicine
| Redwood Health Center | (801) 213-8841 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Back, Concussion, EMG, Electrodiagnosis, Foot and Ankle, Neck, Non-operative Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spine, Sports Medicine
| South Jordan Health Center | (801) 213-4500 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Back, EMG, Electrodiagnosis, Neck, Non-operative Musculoskeletal Disorders, Osteopathic Care, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spine, Spine Evaluation, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Adult Reconstruction, Joint Replacement, Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
A location has not yet been added by this physician.
Adult Reconstruction, Cartilage Restoration, Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Arthroscopy, Hip Preservation, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
| Primary Children's Medical Center | (801) 662-5600 |
| South Jordan Health Center | (801) 213-4500 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
| Madsen Health Center | (801) 213-8846 |
| UUHC - Park City Ski Clinic | (435) 655-7970 |
Sports Medicine
A location has not yet been added by this physician.
Adult Reconstruction, Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Arthroscopy, Hip Preservation, Hip Replacement, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Periacetabular Osteotomy, Surgical Dislocation
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Adult Reconstruction, Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Arthroscopy, Hip Preservation, Hip Replacement, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Periacetabular Osteotomy, Surgical Dislocation
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Family Medicine, Foot and Ankle, Shoulder and Elbow, Spine Evaluation, Sports Medicine
| UUHC - Park City Ski Clinic | (435) 655-7970 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Foot and Ankle, Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
A location has not yet been added by this physician.
Family Medicine, Foot and Ankle, Mild Brain Injury, Physician Assistant, Shoulder and Elbow, Sports Medicine
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-5451 |
Adult Reconstruction, Joint Replacement, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physician Assistant
| University Hospital | (801) 587-5240 |
Acupuncture, Back, Cancer Rehabilitation, EMG, Electrodiagnosis, Foot and Ankle, Neck, Non-operative Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spine, Spine Evaluation, Sports Medicine
| Huntsman Cancer Institute | (801) 587-4585 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
Foot and Ankle, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine
| Redstone Health Center | (435) 658-9262 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | (801) 587-7109 |
| University Orthopaedic Center | 590 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Map |
801-587-7109 |
| South Jordan Health Center | 5126 W. Daybreak Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095 Map |
801-213-4500 |
