LOWER EXTREMITY PROCEDURE

KNEE INJURY

Some people are more likely than others to injure their knees or develop knee problems. There are factors that increase your chances of having these issues such as your job, the recreational activities you participate in, your age, or your history with conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis.

After comprehensive evaluation using the latest diagnostic technologies, we will determine, with your input, the best course of care. Whether the determination is surgery or conservative management, Cornerstone’s goal is to get you back on your feet.

Cornerstone evaluates, diagnoses, and treats a wide scope of common knee issues, including:

Contributing Factors To Knee Injury & Pain

Recreational Activities

While being active is always encouraged and promoted by orthopaedic experts across the globe, there is always a key balance to be found. In this case, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, leading to lifelong knee injuries and limitations caused by overuse.

Certain activities and tasks can ignite such injuries, reducing your movements and limiting your ability to take part in the things you love. Knee injuries are especially common among athletes due to their competitive and rough nature, with ACL injuries dominating the leading sports injury lineup. Additional activities include avid running, hiking, climbing, and cycling, due to their heavy dependence on the bending and stretching of your knee joint.

If you’re a dedicated runner, cyclist, hiker, or rock climber, these issues should never be ignored, and they certainly should not be aggravated by continued use. Cornerstone’s goal with each knee injury treatment is to ensure these beloved activities don’t have to end, but more importantly, that your existing pains end for good. If you’re facing sudden or acute knee pain or if you’ve been dealing with constant knee injury or limitation throughout your life, Cornerstone wants you to understand that this aggravation may be your present, but it doesn’t have to be your future. Schedule an appointment to put a stop to your daily pain today.

Age

Aging is a natural process that brings many health risks and conditions with it. As the years go on, our bodies adjust and adapt to the changing of times, resulting in a period of heightened health and strength, followed by an adverse pattern of reduced mobility. Cornerstone is well-versed in this gradual adjustment, and can recommend appropriate treatment plans and prevention methods to stay in tune with your body’s rhythm.

If you experience knee pain or injury, you may notice gradual worsening or spreading as the years pass. What exactly causes that? Well, the longer you live, the more steps you take. And the more steps you take, the more strain your knee joints face due to the effects of gravity pulling your body down. With more strain comes more pain, leading to lifelong injury. The best way to counteract this? See Cornerstone when the problem first starts, preventing further injury and damage. If your knee injury has already progressed, however, it’s never too late to find relief. If you’re looking for simple actions or additions to reduce knee pain, some steps to take include: keeping your weight down, stretching your muscles before prolonged movement, and consulting Cornerstone for knee surgery and treatment.

History Of Condition

If you’ve previously faced knee injuries or chronic conditions, the possibility of repeated or extended injury skyrockets. As your body deals with an existing injury or damage to your joints, it is weakened in its ability to perform tasks. As a result, you are more likely to lose footing, strain muscles, or fracture bones while your body is attempting to heal.

Common conditions that may induce additional knee injuries or pain include arthritis and osteoporosis, which affect your joints and bones. Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain and stiffness that may worsen with age. As the stiffness sets in, your mobility is stifled, which can cause advanced issues to your knees as you go about your daily tasks. Osteoporosis has similar effects as well, with your bone tissue being absorbed faster than it can regenerate. As this happens, your mobility and strength is also weakened, increasing your risk for further injury to your knees.

If you’re facing the effects of arthritis, osteoporosis, and other similar conditions, take precautions with your everyday movements to mitigate the possibilities of knee injury. If your chronic conditions have already created new ones of their own, consult the expert support of Cornerstone to find freedom from injury again.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Disease Progression

Early-stage: Mild disease

• Sports related injuries
• Minor defects / loss of cartilage

Mid-stage: Moderate disease

• Increased pain
• Reduced mobility
• Changes to lifestyle / sports activities
• Partial knee disease: single or bi-compartmental

Late-stage: Severe disease

• Leading cause of disability
• Severe Pain
• Walking / stair climbing challenging
• Total knee disease

Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Weight Loss
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Injections – Steroids or Hyaluronic Acid
• Surgery is generally reserved for patients whose osteoarthritis is unresponsive to non-surgical treatment

Spectrum of Surgical Options

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis of the knee, there are multiple treatment options to manage the pain that may delay the progression of the disease.

• MIS Arthroscopy – Early Stage (Most Sports Injuries)
• Partial Knee Replacement – Early to Mid-Stage

• Total Knee Replacement – Late Stage OA

HIP INJURY

Whenever you use your hip (such as riding a bike or going for a jog), your hip bone is protected by a cushion of cartilage to prevent friction caused by the movement of the hip bone in its socket.  As you age, the cartilage can wear down, or muscles and tendons in your hip can become overused.

Depending on the condition that’s causing your hip pain, you might feel the discomfort in your:

• Groin
• Inside / outside of the hip joint
• Thigh
• Buttocks

If you’re like many Americans experiencing hip pain or soreness, then here are some of the ways The Cornerstone Orthopedic Institute can help you alleviate your pain:

• On-Site Physical Therapy – our on-site physical therapists will help you  manage your pain thru stretching and strengthening the weakened muscles surrounding the hip
• Anti-Inflammatory Medication – if over the counter medications, like Aleve or ibuprofen aren’t enough, we may be able to prescribe anti-inflammatory pills.
• Injections – a corticosteroid injection in your hip joint is a short-term solution that can provide pain relief for up to 6 months.

If you’re looking to take the first step towards pain relief for your hip pain, contact us today to book an appointment.