Knee joint treatment

Knee is one of the most vulnerable joints in the human body as it accounts for a large portion of the load.

The main knee problems of our patients are:

• damage to the medial meniscus
• chondromalacia (exhaustion or injury patella)
• anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Our specialists even in the most difficult cases help to relieve pain and discomfort as well as to restore the function of the knee. In addition to medical treatment in recent years more and more the new method of biological treatment – orthokine therapy is used.

Leading Israeli experts in the treatment of knee joints are:

Variants of knee joint treatments in Israel

In case of severe joint damage or partial failure of its functions doctor may recommend a surgery

Arthroscopy and meniscectomy (Knee meniscectomy). This minimally invasive procedure is performed with arthroscope (tool diameter of a pencil) and used to remove all or part of the damaged meniscus in the knee joint. The meniscus is a piece of elastic bone tissue between the bones of the knee joint. Sometimes this fabric is worn or injured and can not perform meniscus full function that causes severe pain and discomfort in the knee. This procedure is used in cases where mobility is severely limited knee, the knee was swollen and the patient has to take painkillers regularly. Arthroscopic meniscectomy is performed under general or local anesthesia.

Arthroscopy and chondroplasty (Knee chondroplasty). This is one of the newest outpatient methods used by our specialists for the treatment of damaged knee cartilage. This damage causes mobility problems, pain and swelling and often with such symptoms require surgery. During the procedure surgeon reshapes the surface chondroplasty knee cartilage and cleanses, removing all its damaged areas using the endoscope (small) scalpel or laser.

Arthroscopy (Meniscus replacement) 

Microfracture chondroplasty used in significant damage to the surface of the knee joint. Damaged area is removed surgically or with a laser. Thereafter, cartilage tissue is restored.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a procedure that is performed in two stages. At the first stage surgeon using an arthroscopic procedure removes a small amount of cartilage cells. These cells are sent to the laboratory where they are grown for four to six weeks. Once these cells are sufficiently reproduced they are implanted in the area of damaged cartilage. This step is performed by open surgery. Full recovery after this surgery usually takes six to eight weeks.

NUsurface meniscus implantation (NUsurface Meniscus Implant). This is one of the most reliable methods to get rid of pain in the knee joint when the patient has already exhausted all other options, but is not ready for a complete operation to replace the knee joint. The NUsurface artificial meniscus implant is suitable for young people aged 30 to 65. It is carried out through a small incision in the knee, and does not require fixation. The patient can walk on the same day.

Arthroscopy and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction). This procedure is performed in order to restore stability and normal functional level of the knee, as well as limitations loss of functionality and to prevent injury and degeneration of other knee structures. It happens by replacing the damaged or torn ligament implant. The most commonly used with autograft, ie the patient ‘s own tissues such as tendons kneecap (patella) or one of the hamstrings. Another option is an allograft (donor tissue). This operation can be performed with arthroscope through small incisions in the knee and inserting thin instruments through these incisions or by open surgery with a cut 4 cm. Lately our specialists are increasingly applying arthroscopic procedure because it is less traumatic for the patient, and has less risk than with open surgery, at the same time making it easy with this camera to explore the structure of the knee joint. Physical rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can take from several months to a year. The length of recovery time for each person is different and can vary from 4 to 6 months.

When Israel doctors apply knee joint replacement?

In the case of joint function is impossible to restore by all methods mentioned above doctors may be recommended total knee replacement.

Installing the prosthesis may be indicated in such cases as:

•  Osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthrosis) – wear or damage to the articular cartilage
•  Osteoarthritis due to peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the joint
•  Posttraumatic arthrosis
•  Defeat knee due to rheumatoid arthritis

Additional information about our doctors

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