How Well Does Your Knee Work?
Take a five-minute online assessment of your knee symptoms. You’ll receive a personalized report and recommendations for next steps.
Knee Care
Knee Pain & Injuries
Look to us for a precise diagnosis and skilled treatment of knee injuries such as:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other ligament tears – Injuries to the bands of tissue that stabilize your joint
- Knee bursitis – Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that cushions your joint
- Knee osteoarthritis – Breakdown of soft cartilage that keeps bones from rubbing against each other
- Meniscus tear – Injury to the knee cartilage, usually from twisting the joint too hard and fast
- Patellar (kneecap) injuries – Dislocations, instability, fractures and tendonitis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome chondromalacia – Runner’s knee or jumper’s knee
Nonsurgical, Conservative Care
When possible, OSF HealthCare starts with nonsurgical approaches, such as rehabilitation or lifestyle changes. Conservative treatments work well for many knee injuries, and most carry a low risk of serious side effects.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy eases pain and helps you regain the full use of your knee. During one-on-one sessions, a therapist may:
- Teach you exercises and stretches to improve your joint’s strength and range of motion
- Use hands-on techniques to relieve tension and loosen a stiff knee
- Recommend changes to your activities or daily routine to prevent another injury
Knee Injections
Injections deliver medicine straight to the site of your injury. That means you can receive higher doses than you could take by mouth, and the medicine targets only the injured area of your body. Your doctor may use imaging technology to precisely guide the injection to the right spot, making treatment more effective. Ask about the right type of injection for your situation:
- Cortisone (steroid) – Reduces inflammation
- Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) – Uses gel to lubricate an arthritic knee
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – Uses natural substances from your own body to speed up healing
Knee Surgery
Many knee procedures at OSF HealthCare use arthroscopy, a minimally invasive approach. Instead of making a large incision, your surgeon makes one or more small incisions. The surgeon then slides an arthroscope (thin tube with a light and camera) and surgical tools into your joint to see and treat it. This technique leads to a faster, easier recovery.
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Ask for a Referral
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an orthopedic doctor at OSF HealthCare. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.