Knee Surgery

As your largest joint, your knee is critical to your mobility, from walking to playing your favorite sport. It acts as a hinge where your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin) meet, and is the most common site for injury among all your joints.

In addition to your femur and tibia, the patella (kneecap) completes the bony structure of your knee joint. Ideally the three bones glide smoothly against one another, thanks to two cartilage discs (medial and lateral menisci) that act as shock absorbers. Knee injuries can wear down these menisci, leaving the bones of your knee vulnerable to rubbing together to cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness. This effect is usually classified as osteoarthritis, the most common reason for knee replacement surgery.

Along with the medial and lateral meniscus, your knee joint is stabilized by four ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Injuries to these ligaments can cause severe disruption to your knee function and require treatment or surgery.

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Knee Conditions and Treatments

The Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin treats a wide range of knee conditions, from diagnosis to treatment through rehabilitation. In fact, we perform more ACL repairs and arthroscopic knee surgeries than any other hospital in Wisconsin.

Conditions we treat:

  • Ligament injuries, including ACL tear, LCL tear, MCL tear and PCL tear
  • Meniscus tear
  • Arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst, or swelling behind your knee
  • Chondromalacia, a type of runner’s knee
  • Kneecap dislocation
  • Patellar tendonitis, or jumper’s knee
  • Iliotiboial Band Syndrome (IT-Band)
  • Hamstring Strain/Tear
  • Quad Tendon Injury
  • Patellar Femoral Syndrome
  • Fracture
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

After Your Knee Surgery: Home Care

Before you go home, your care team will make sure you are comfortable, well-informed, and ready. Your detailed care instructions will include the recommendations shown below.

After surgery, you will:

  • Get ample rest for several days following surgery
  • Follow your physical therapist’s instructions for use of walker or crutches
  • Use cold therapy (depending on your surgeon’s preference)
  • Continue to gain strength through physical therapy

Questions? Contact your surgeon’s office.

General surgery information can be found here.

Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin
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