Knee care
Knee problems are quite common and have many causes, including injury from an ACL or meniscus tear, fractures, or bursitis. Knee pain may also be caused by arthritis or other conditions. Our world-class orthopedic knee surgeons have the expertise and the experience to determine the best approach to your knee condition, including surgical and non-surgical treatment options. Among our non-surgical options are innovative knee treatments using stem cells or platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections to heal damaged tissues or delay surgery.
If surgery is the better option, our knee specialists offer innovative procedures, such as minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, to help you make a rapid recovery and return to the activities you enjoy. We are certified by The Joint Commission in total knee replacement and are one of the first hospitals in Ohio to embrace the leading-edge technology of robotic-assisted partial knee replacement and total knee replacement surgery. This results in more precise alignment of the knee joint implant, enhancing knee surgery recovery and extending the life of the implant.
Salvatore Frangiamore, M.D., M.S.
Fellowship-Trained in Shoulder and Sports Medicine Surgery
Board-Certified
Common Conditions Treated
The simple act of getting out of bed in the morning can be painful for someone living with an injured knee. Whether you’re suffering from a knee injury or from the gradual wear and tear of arthritis, knee pain can make it difficult for you to maintain an active lifestyle.
At Crystal Clinic, our knee physicians treat a wide range of both common and complex knee problems, including these frequently seen conditions:
Osteoarthritis,
which is particularly common in the knee and starts with the breakdown of cartilage in the joint. Symptoms include knee pain, reduced range of motion, and swelling and stiffness, which may worsen after prolonged periods of rest.
Bursitis or inflammation of a bursa,
the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near your knee joints. Bursitis temporarily limits knee motion and is often the result of injury, overuse, arthritis or surgery.
Fractures or breaks in the bone,
which are caused by knee injuries or diseases such as osteoporosis or cancer. Another type is a stress fracture caused by overuse or repetitive motion.
Knee pain caused by a breakdown of the cartilage,
typically due to repetitive stress. Overuse of the knee joint, misalignment of the knee cap and surrounding structures, nerve damage, inflammation and injury can all contribute to knee pain.
Ligament tears,
which include tears of the four main ligaments in the knee: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
Meniscus injuries or tears,
which are among the most common knee injuries. Tears may occur when playing sports, after years of wear and tear, or simply from an awkward movement, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, catching or locking of the knee, and limited range of motion.
Sprains and strains,
are common in people of all ages. Knee sprains occur when ligaments stretch beyond their limits and tear. A strain may be an overstretched muscle or tendon, or it could be a partial or complete tear in both the muscle and tendon.
Innovative Treatment Options
Crystal Clinic orthopedic surgeons offer the latest advancements in knee surgery and nonsurgical care of knee conditions including these innovative treatment options:
MACI,
uses your own cells to grow new cartilage to repair damage in your knee. First, two tiny pieces of non-weight bearing articular cartilage are obtained using a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure. The sample is sent to a laboratory and allowed time to grow. Once your sample is ready, the new cartilage cells are embedded onto a collagen membrane and then implanted in your knee in a second minimally invasive knee surgery.
Total knee joint replacement,
Is a knee operation that replaces the damaged ends of the bones that meet at the knee and the underside of the kneecap with an implant. Modern total knee replacements have a well-established record of longevity and durability, however, they need to be closely monitored for signs of wear and loosening. A surgical knee replacement will reduce your pain and increase your range of motion, allowing you to return to most of your daily activities.
Custom knee replacement implants,
are based on your specific anatomy, to provide a better fit than typical “off-the-shelf” knee replacement implant. Clinical research has shown that customized knee implants provide a better fit, which can result in less post-surgical pain, a more natural feel, increased stability and faster knee replacement recovery.
Robotic knee replacement,
is similar to other knee replacement techniques, but utilizes a robotic system as an advanced tool to enhance surgical precision. It is used to augment the expert hands of our world-class knee surgeons when replacing more severely damaged knee joints. Crystal Clinic was one of the first hospitals in Northeast Ohio to offer robotic-arm-assisted partial knee replacement and total knee replacement surgeries. We continue to perform more knee procedures with this innovative technology than any other hospital in the region.
Crystal Clear Pathway
is another way we are improving patient outcomes. This specialized program was developed for Medicare patients undergoing knee joint replacement surgery. It includes a customized care plan to help you, your family members and your care providers more easily navigate the complexities of your knee surgery hospitalization, and the recovery and rehabilitation following your knee reconstruction.