Your Ultimate Guide to Knee Surgeries in San Francisco
Considering knee surgery? This guide from the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco breaks down the most common questions people have, from understanding your options to finding the best knee surgeon in San Francisco.
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Every year, over 790,000 Americans undergo knee replacement surgery. This is just a small portion of the number of people who undergo knee surgery for pain reduction and improved function. Deciding to get knee surgery can feel like a daunting step, but for many people, it's the key to reclaiming mobility and living pain-free. Whether you're exploring your options or preparing for a specific procedure, this comprehensive guide answers the most frequently asked questions about knee surgeries.
Read on to learn about the different types of knee surgeries available in San Francisco, get expert recovery tips, and learn where to find the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco for knee surgery.
How Do I Know If Knee Surgery is Right for Me?
You might need knee surgery when persistent pain significantly limits your daily activities despite trying non-surgical knee treatments. Key indicators include knee pain that doesn't improve after several months of conservative management, such as physical therapy, medications, or cortisone injections.
Your doctor will typically recommend imaging tests, like X-rays, to reveal bone damage or arthritis, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show soft tissue injuries like torn ligaments or meniscus damage. Physical examination findings also matter; instability when walking, catching, or locking sensations, significant swelling, or an inability to bear weight could all suggest that surgical intervention is necessary.
The decision ultimately depends on how severely your symptoms affect your quality of life and whether your specific condition has a surgical solution with a proven track record of success.
What’s the Difference Between Arthroscopic vs. Open Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic knee surgery involves making tiny incisions, where the surgeon inserts a small camera and thin instruments to repair damage while viewing the procedure on a monitor. This minimally invasive approach typically results in less pain, smaller scars, and a faster recovery. Additionally, patients often go home the same day and return to their activities within weeks.
Open knee surgery, in contrast, requires a larger incision that fully exposes the knee joint. The surgeon directly views and accesses the damaged area, which is necessary for complex repairs like total knee replacements or complicated fractures. While open surgery generally involves more pain, longer hospital stays, and extended recovery periods, it remains essential for certain conditions that can't be treated with the limited access of arthroscopy.
What Is Recovery Like After Knee Surgery?
Recovery after knee surgery varies slightly based on the procedure but typically follows a predictable pattern:
Most patients experience pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the first days to weeks. Pain medication is usually prescribed to help make movement after your surgical procedure and initial weight-bearing easier.
For minor arthroscopic procedures, you might walk the same day and return to normal activities within one to six weeks.
More extensive surgeries like ACL reconstruction typically require six to nine months before returning to sports, while total knee replacements need three to six months for full recovery.
Physical therapy begins almost immediately and remains crucial throughout. Patients should expect regular sessions focusing on range of motion, strength building, and eventually functional movements.
Initially, you'll likely need assistive devices like crutches, a walker, or a cane.
Following your surgeon's and physical therapist's guidance is essential, as pushing too hard too quickly can cause setbacks, while insufficient movement may lead to stiffness and weakness.
What Are the Risks and Possible Complications of Knee Surgery?
All knee surgeries carry potential risks, though serious complications are uncommon:
Infection occurs in approximately 1% of cases and may require antibiotics or additional surgery for treatment.
Blood clots, also known as deep vein thrombosis, can develop in the legs, with the risk varying by procedure type and patient factors such as age and mobility.
Nerve or blood vessel damage during surgery can cause numbness, weakness, or circulation problems.
Hardware problems such as implant loosening, misalignment, or failure may develop, particularly with joint replacements.
Some patients experience persistent pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion despite successful surgery, often due to inadequate rehabilitation or excessive scar tissue formation.
For knee replacements, implants typically last 15 to 20 years, meaning younger patients may eventually need revision surgery.
Certain health conditions can increase the risk of complications from general anesthesia. Your doctor may discuss treatments or lifestyle changes with you before surgery, if time allows.
Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss your specific risk profile based on your age, medical history, and the planned procedure. They will also tailor your surgery and recovery plan to lower your risk factors of potential complications.
Advanced Knee Surgeries Available in San Francisco
ACL Reconstruction with Orthobiologic Augmentation: This procedure rebuilds a torn anterior cruciate ligament while adding biological materials like platelet-rich plasma to enhance healing.
All-Inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A minimally invasive technique that rebuilds the ACL using small incisions and specialized instruments, reducing recovery time.
All-Inside Meniscus Repair: A technique that fixes torn meniscus tissue using specialized implants placed entirely from inside the joint through small incisions.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: This common procedure replaces a torn ACL with a tissue graft to restore knee stability and function.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair: Rather than replacing the ACL, this surgery directly repairs the existing ligament when possible, preserving natural tissue.
Cartilage Restoration: These procedures include orthobiologics like OATS, Microfracture, and allograft transplantation to repair damaged cartilage using various techniques to promote new growth or transplant healthy tissue.
Inside-Out Meniscus Repair: A technique where sutures are passed from inside to outside the knee joint to repair meniscus tears.
Lateral Release: This procedure releases tight outer structures around the kneecap to improve alignment and reduce pain.
Meniscus Repair with Orthobiologic Augmentation: Combines meniscus repair with biological treatments to enhance healing of the damaged cartilage.
Meniscus Root Repair: Specifically addresses tears at the root of the meniscus, where it attaches to the tibia, to prevent long-term degeneration.
Meniscus Transplantation: Replaces a severely damaged meniscus with donor tissue when repair is not possible.
Multi-ligamentous Knee Reconstruction: Addresses multiple torn knee ligaments simultaneously, often necessary after severe knee injuries.
Nanoarthroscopy: Uses ultra-small cameras and instruments for extremely minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Osteochondral (OCD) Repair: Fixes areas where bone and cartilage have separated or are damaged within the joint.
Partial Meniscectomy: Removes only the damaged portion of the meniscus while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Patella Stabilization: Reconstructs the patellofemoral ligament to prevent kneecap dislocation and improve tracking.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Rebuilds the PCL, the ligament that prevents the shin bone from moving backward, using a tissue graft.
Tibial Spine Avulsion Repair: Reattaches the ACL where it has pulled away from the tibia, which is common in active children and teens.
BioUni OATS: A specialized cartilage restoration technique using the patient's own healthy cartilage to repair damaged areas.
Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: Rebuilds the outer knee ligament that provides stability to the outer knee.
Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: Rebuilds the inner knee ligament using grafts when repair isn't possible.
Medial Collateral Ligament Repair with Internal Brace: Repairs the MCL with additional supportive materials to enhance healing and stability.
Partial Knee Replacement: Replaces only the damaged portion of the knee joint, preserving healthy bone and tissue.
Patella Fracture Repair: Fixes a broken kneecap using wires, screws, or plates to restore function.
Patellar Tendon Repair: Addresses tears in the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, essential for leg extension.
Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction: Rebuilds the complex of structures on the outer back corner of the knee that provide rotational stability.
Quadriceps Tendon Repair: Fixes tears in the tendon that connects the thigh muscles to the kneecap, critical for leg extension.
Tibia Fracture Repair: Treats breaks in the shinbone using various fixation methods depending on fracture location and severity.
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy: Repositions the patellar tendon attachment point to improve kneecap alignment and tracking.
Total Knee Replacement: Replaces all three compartments of the knee joint with prosthetic components when the entire joint is damaged.
Where Can I Find the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in San Francisco for Knee Surgery?
Choosing the right knee surgeon isn’t just about checking credentials; it’s about trust, connection, and knowing you're in skilled hands from start to finish. At our San Francisco clinic, Dr. James Chen brings not only board certification and fellowship training but also a deep commitment to treating the whole patient, not just the injury.
We specialize in advanced, minimally invasive procedures that help you recover faster, with less pain and scarring, whether you’re dealing with a torn ligament, cartilage damage, or the need for joint replacement. Dr. Chen and our dedicated team are here to answer your questions, support your recovery, and help you get back to the life you love, with personalized care every step of the way.
Ready to see how the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco can help you get back to a life without knee pain?
