How your doctor chooses treatment

After your evaluation, your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss your medical history with you. This history will help your surgeon determine the cause of your knee pain. It will also help him set goals for returning you to a greater quality of life. Your orthopaedic surgeon will also ask about your everyday activities, when your pain began and prior knee injuries or problems.

A physical examination can identify your knee problems by assessing the knee’s mobility, strength and alignment. An X-ray might be taken to evaluate the extent of damage or deformity in your knee. And to further determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues that make up your knee joint, blood tests, an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scan, or bone density scan may be called for.

Ultimately, restoring the highest level of movement and function with the least amount of risk is your orthopaedic surgeon’s goal. And before surgery is recommended, non-surgical treatments, including lifestyle changes, medication, injections and physical therapy will be exhausted. For a majority of patients, non-surgical treatments provide adequate relief and recovery to return to the best possible quality of life.