What Are The Most Common Types of Knee Surgery?
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By: Nikki Clayton, PT, DPT, ATC
What are the Most Common Types of Knee Surgery?
The quick answer is the most common types of knee surgery are:
- Meniscectomy
- Meniscus Repair
- Meniscus Transplant
- Plica Removal
- Lateral Release
- Microfracture
- ACL Reconstruction
- Tendon Repair
- Knee Replacements
- Arthrotomy
These procedures are explained more in the following paragraphs.
Image of the Knee Ligaments
What is the Knee Joint?
The quick answer is the knee is the largest joint in your body and one of the most complex. It is comprised of the:
- lower leg bone (the tibia)
- the thigh bone (the femur)
- the knee cap (the patella)
- other multiple tendons, muscles, ligaments and cartilage that connect at the knee.
Image of JOI – Most Common Types of Knee Surgery
It is responsible for supporting most of your body weight, making it susceptible to various types of damage and injury.
If you have a painful condition to the knee that does not respond well to conservative treatment, there are various surgical options available to you, depending on your knee injury.
The Most Common Cause for Knee Surgery is Arthritis
Arthritis is the most common cause related to having knee surgery. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are diseases which break down the surfaces and structures of the knee joint. They cause pain, swelling and dysfunction for so many patients. At JOI, our goal is to get you back to the activities that you love. We certainly are going to try the conservative treatment programs first before considering surgical options.
What are the Most Common Types of Knee Surgery?
Here are the most common types of knee surgery:
Meniscus Surgery
One of the most common types of knee surgery involves the meniscus. The meniscus is the cushion on both the inside and outside aspect of your knee.
Meniscectomy Surgery in the Knee
If you have pain and swelling in the knee, you might have a meniscus tear. The meniscus is the shock-absorbing wedge of cartilage that sits on the tibia in the knee to provide a cushion with impact.
In a Meniscectomy, the portion of the torn meniscus is removed via arthroscopy. In arthroscopy, small incisions are made on the knee to allow a small camera and tool to safely complete the surgery.
Knee Meniscus Repair Surgery
Sometimes, a meniscus tear happens in a portion of the meniscus that has better blood supply. In this case, the doctor may choose to repair the torn meniscus with an arthroscopic procedure. .
This may be more beneficial to the patient, as it could decrease their risk of future arthritis by not having to remove a portion of the meniscus, but the recovery is typically longer.
Knee Meniscus Transplant Surgery
A meniscus transplant occurs in a patient who has had complete removal of the meniscus, and continues to have knee pain. A meniscus from a donor is place in the knee of the patient. This is also completed via arthroscopy.
Other Surgeries Using Arthroscopy of the Knee
Arthroscopy of the Knee
Plica Removal From the Knee
The plica is a remnant of tissue from fetal development. Generally, it is lost over time, but in some cases, some of the plica will remain. If conservative treatment of plica irritation does not resolve the symptoms, arthroscopy can be used to remove the excess plica from the knee.
Lateral Release Knee Surgery
This surgical technique is used to remove the tissue on the outside of the knee that holds the knee cap (patella) in place. If the lateral retinaculum is too tight, it can pull the patella laterally and cause pain. If the pain persists, the doctor may choose to release the lateral retinaculum to allow for improved patellar tracking.
Microfracture Knee Surgery
Microfracture is completed in an area of the knee with small cartilage damage inside the joint. The problem with a microfracture is that it only works on a small area of damage in the knee. Healing cartilage is also not the same as normal joint cartilage, therefore pain and persistent damage are possible.
Common Ligament and Tendon Surgery in the Knee
Knee tendons and ligaments
ACL Reconstruction knee Surgery
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the 4 major ligaments of the knee. It is also one of the most common injuries in athletes. The ACL is responsible for the stability of the knee. If torn, patients may complain of “giving way” in the knee. Therefore, they will have the ligament replaced to regain stability.
Patellar Tendon Repair
The most common tendon to repair in the knee is the quadriceps or patellar tendon. Both cross the knee joint, just at slightly different locations. In these cases, it is usually an open procedure with a scar along the front of the knee.
What is Arthrotomy of the Knee?
The quick answer is the arthrotomy of the knee is a surgical exploration of the knee joint. The surgeon opens the tissue, through the joints capsule to expose the tissue to be viewed and assessed. Fragments may be removed if found during a knee arthrotomy and the joint may be irrigated or cleaned out if needed. This may be needed in the case of an infection.
Knee Replacement Surgery 
A knee after a knee replacement
Total are partial knee replacements are another most common type of knee surgery. Depending on the severity of arthritis of the knee, a partial or total knee replacement can be performed. If only a compartment of the knee is arthritic, the doctors will use implant pieces to only replace that compartment. If the entire joint is in need of replacement, doctors will use a metal and plastic knee replacement implant to restore the nature of the knee.
What is a Robotic Knee Replacement?
Images from the computer during Mako robotic-assisted knee replacement
The quick answer is that the surgeon can use a computerized robotic device to help guide the surgical instruments during the surgery. This can improve accuracy and allow for pre-planning of the knee replacement surgery based on the specific anatomy of your individual knee.
JOI also is the leader in providing robotic-assisted knee and hip replacements use the Mako robot. JOI orthopaedic surgeons have the most experience using the Mako robot in the Northeast Florida region. Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery is currently available for a partial knee replacement, a total knee replacement and a total hip replacement.
Physical Therapy for the Knee
Physical therapist working with a knee patient
Physical therapy is an important part of care for your knee, whether you have surgery or not. Physical therapy helps to improve the strength and control of the muscles around the knee and can improve and restore normal movement patterns. Our therapists work very closely with our knee surgeons to develop protocols that get you back to the activities and sports that you love.
Are You Considering Knee Surgery?
If you have a knee injury or arthritis is causing you to consider knee surgery, you should give JOI a call. We have conservative knee programs which can certainly help with your knee pain. If you decide that knee surgery is the option that is best for you, we have the most experienced team of knee surgeons in the area. Our physicians keep up with the most innovative surgical techniques to provide with the best outcomes. It is no wonder that JOI and JOI Rehab are Where the Pro’s Go!
Knee Doctors in Jacksonville, FL
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at JOI Rehab for physical therapy, call (904) 858-7045. If you want to see a JOI Orthopaedic Knee Specialist, please call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online or click below.