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Knee

Our specialty-trained knee doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ knee injuries and conditions.

Knee doctors are medical experts who understand how and why knee pain occurs and what to do when a patient comes to them for help. Many of the patients that knee doctors treat are athletes, especially those whose sport requires them to twist, jump, or pivot, such as a tennis, volleyball, or basketball player. People who are active for other reasons are at risk for knee pain and injuries too, such as employees who are required to lift and move boxes or heavy items as part of their work.

Knee doctors also see people who are not as active whose knees are painful due to added stress from being overweight. Patients with arthritis often seek out knee doctors as well to help them find new ways to reduce their symptoms, like joint stiffness, inflammation, chronic pain, or reduced range of motion. Because the knee joint is so critical to the body and its function is necessary for a person to walk and perform many daily tasks, it is important for a patient to seek out an experienced doctor when they have a knee issue or pain.

When It’s Time to Seek Knee Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with knee problems typically have:

  • Clicking sound when moving the knee
  • Difficulty getting up from a chair
  • Knee catches or locks up
  • Knee looks deformed
  • Loud popping sound when the injury happens
  • Numbness
  • Sudden knee instability
  • Swelling
  • Trouble bending the knee
  • Unable to climb stairs
  • Unable to support weight on the affected knee

If any of these symptoms describe your knee issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these knee conditions or injuries:

  • Articular Cartilage Injury
  • Dislocated Kneecap
  • Kneecap Fracture
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Sprain
  • Tendon or Ligament Tear (Meniscus, ACL, MCL)
  • Tendonitis

Knee pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the knee pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our knee specialists and set up a consultation. Call us today at (318) 362-4411 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Monroe, Ruston, and West Monroe, and we also offer rehabilitation services at our Monroe Rehab and West Monroe Rehab facilities.

Our doctors understand that some injuries require immediate attention. If your knee injury can’t wait, visit our Orthopaedic After Hours Clinic at our main location in Monroe Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Expert Ankle Care You Can Trust

Since 1951, our doctors have remained dedicated to providing specialized bone, joint, and muscle care to the communities of northeast Louisiana. They are backed by a knowledgeable and professional staff and are equipped with the latest resources, technology, and tools they need to deliver the very best orthopaedic care to all patients.

At North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Sidney BaileyDr. R. Brian BullochDr. Jeffrey CountsDr. Grant Dona, Dr. White “Sol” Graves, IVDr. Elliott NipperDr. Kristopher SirmonDr. Timothy “Daven” Spires Jr.,and Dr. David Trettin, are experts at understanding the multitude of knee issues that exist and the most appropriate ways to treat them. Our knee doctors believe in exhausting all conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, before considering a medical procedure or surgery. However, if our surgeons diagnose your knee damage as severe, they may recommend surgery, like a knee replacement, and will educate you about the process, which includes what you need to consider, how you can prepare for surgery, and what you can expect during recovery.

Our specialty-trained physical therapists work closely with our knee surgeons to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan. Our expert therapists are dedicated to helping all patients return to their daily activities quickly and safely, combining specific activities and exercises in ensuring that patients can restore joint and muscular function, strength, and range of motion.

If you have concerns about your knee, schedule an appointment to talk through your options with one of our expertly trained knee surgeons by calling us at (318) 362-4411 or requesting an appointment online.

Jeffrey R. Counts, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Grant A. Dona, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Foot & Ankle

W. Patrick Ensminger, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine and Shoulder

White “Sol” Graves, IV, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Elliott B. Nipper, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hip & Knee Joint Replacement

Conditions

Anatomy of the Knee

The knee is the body’s largest joint. It’s the place where three bones meet: the tibia, the femur and the patella. The knee is a “hinge” joint. It allows the leg to bend in one direction only. Let’s take a closer look at the main parts of the knee’s anatomy.

 



Treatments

Arthroscopy (Overview)

If you have a joint problem, your surgeon may want to try arthroscopy. This lets your surgeon see inside your joint with a small, thin camera called an “arthroscope.” It can be used on any joint, but let’s see it in the knee.



Total Knee Replacement

This procedure restores function to a severely damaged knee. Most commonly, it is used to repair a knee that has been damaged by arthritis. During the procedure, the surgeon replaces the damaged portions of the knee with artificial parts. These parts consist of a metal femoral component, a metal tibial component and a plastic spacer. A small plastic patellar component may also be used.