Knee Pain, Treatments and Surgeries
If chronic knee pain is keeping you from accomplishing daily tasks or enjoying the activities you love, it may be time to see an orthopedic specialist. At Providence, your team of joint-care experts will guide you through every step of diagnosis and treatment to find the best solution for your care – whether that’s advanced pain management therapy or leading-edge joint replacement technology.
Our Approach to Joint Treatment
At Providence, we have unmatched experience treating and reducing knee pain. As our patient, you’ll be supported by an expert multidisciplinary team. Depending on your specific needs, your team may include an orthopedist, orthopedic surgeon, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and case managers. Together, we’ll work to ease your pain and improve your mobility.
Conditions We Treat
Our orthopedic team provides diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of conditions and injuries that impact the knees, including:
- Acute and complex fractures
- Cartilage damage
- Degenerative joint disease
- Joint dislocations
- Ligament injuries
- Labral and meniscus tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Overuse injuries
- Rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis
- Sports injuries
- Tendon disorders
Personalized Treatment Options
When it comes to treating knee pain, no two plans should be the same. We know you have specific treatment goals, so we take the time to get to know you – your history, your pain, your lifestyle and your goals. Then, our orthopedic specialists create the plan that best fits your needs, which may include non-surgical options, minimally invasive treatments or surgery.
When surgery is your best option, our board-certified surgeons use the least-invasive techniques to minimize pain and help speed up your recovery. From pre-surgery classes to post-surgery rehabilitation, every member of your team is attentive to your comfort and dedicated to your success.
Partial knee replacement takes damaged and diseased cartilage from the knee joint and replaces it with a prosthetic that is shaped to restore more natural joint movement and function.
Many of our surgeons use innovative robotic-assisted treatment options to allow for preservation of muscles and skin around the knee, resulting in faster recovery times and minimal pain.
Providence performs thousands of knee replacement surgeries every year. With today’s advanced surgical techniques and technologies, even the most painful and damaged joints can be replaced.
In total joint replacement, an orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged bone while preserving healthy parts of the bone, ligaments and muscle. The damaged bone is replaced with a highly polished prosthesis (artificial joint), which prevents the bones from rubbing together, creating a smooth joint. After surgery, our patients often resume activities that they once thought would be impossible.
The right combination of conservative therapies can help preserve joint function and relieve pain for many people. Providence offers a variety of non-surgical treatment options, including:
- Exercise programs
- Gel injections to improve lubrication and cushioning
- Guidance on diet changes and nutritional supplements
- Hot and cold therapy
- Oral and topical medications
- Pain-relieving injections
- Physical therapy
- Therapeutic exercise programs
If knee surgery is the right choice for you, your doctor will take images of your knee to locate the damage within the joint. The results will determine which compartment of the knee to replace.
During the procedure, the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, and a prosthetic implant is then secured in the joint with bone adhesive. Knee replacement is typically an outpatient procedure, as recovering from home can be faster and more comfortable. However, some complex cases may be performed as inpatient procedures. Your orthopedic surgeon will work with you to determine the best course of action for your surgery and recovery.
Doctors Specializing in Knee Pain, Treatments and Surgeries
At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your orthopedic specialist may recommend knee surgery if:
- Knee pain is ongoing and severe.
- Nonsurgical treatments, like physical therapy, medications or injections, no longer provide relief.
- Pain makes it hard to walk, sleep, climb stairs or enjoy daily life.
Your clinician will review your symptoms, imaging and overall health to help determine if surgery is appropriate.
Yes. Many people try non-surgical treatments first, including:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Bracing or activity changes
- Injections, such as cortisone or gel injections
- Physical therapy
- Weight management, when appropriate
For some patients, these options reduce symptoms enough to delay or even prevent surgery.
Your care team will help you prepare for surgery by:
- Reviewing your health and medications
- Offering pre‑surgery education and appointments
- Recommending exercises to build strength
- Helping you prepare your home for recovery
Planning ahead can make recovery smoother and less stressful. Talk to your doctor about your goals and the potential recovery timeline.
The procedure itself usually takes 1 to 2 hours. After surgery, it’s becoming more common for patients to stay in the hospital for a shorter timeframe than in the past. Some patients may be able to go home the same day as their surgery.
Knee replacement is a common and generally safe procedure, but all surgeries carry some risk. Possible complications include:
- Blood clots in the legs
- Implant wear or loosening over time
- Infection
- Joint stiffness or limited motion
Your surgical team takes many steps to reduce risks and will review them with you before surgery.
Exact recovery timelines vary based on each patient’s unique situation, but many patients can expect to:
- Begin walking with assistance within 24 hours, as advised by your doctor
- Return to most daily activities within 6 weeks
- Experience a full recovery in about 3 to 6 months, with continued improvement up to a year
Your care team will likely suggest you start moving around as soon as possible after surgery, as movement helps with recovery.
Yes. Your care team can help connect you with the right providers for your recovery. Our physical therapy programs help patients learn about the exercises that will help them recover and smoothly transition back to their daily routine.
You may need physical therapy after your procedure. Physical therapy can help you:
- Improve balance and confidence in movement
- Reduce stiffness
- Regain strength and flexibility
- Support the best long-term results
Your doctor can help determine your next steps after surgery. If they recommend physical therapy, there are a variety of options, including clinic visits, home visits, and virtual visits. Your provider may also suggest exercises for you to do at home.