Each year, patients from all over the region, country and world travel to Penn Medicine to be treated by renowned orthopaedic experts in knee surgery. We are not only a leader in the latest research, clinical trials, advanced imaging and surgical techniques, but our orthopaedic knee surgeons are also known for their meticulously thought-out treatment recommendations and compassionate care.
We are highly experienced in performing surgeries on all types of knee conditions, from the most common to extremely rare and complex cases. Our approach is to treat the "whole individual." This means you'll receive customized treatment plans with input from many different specialists who foster a close relationship with you to ensure all your needs are met and that you receive the best possible outcome.
Conditions that may require knee surgery include:
- Arthritis
- Avascular necrosis
- Cartilage tear
- Fractures
- Infection
- Knee deformities
- Kneecap instability
- Knee loose bodies
- Knee malalignment syndrome
- Ligament injury, such as an ACL tear
- Meniscus injury
- Sports-related knee injury
- Tendinitis
- Trauma-related knee injury
We specialize in traditional open surgery and the latest arthroscopic procedures, including robotic surgery. These include, but are not limited to:
- ACL reconstruction surgery – Many patients come to Penn for ligament repair, especially ACL reconstruction. We perform the most ACL surgeries in the Philadelphia area.
- Cartilage and meniscus repair – We offer a very specialized type of expertise that replaces missing cartilage and meniscal tissue, often with arthroscopy (a minimally invasive surgical technique).
- Knee fracture surgery – In many cases, kneecap fractures are a result of trauma. We will decide if realignment is all you need to allow it to heal properly or if surgery is the best option to repair the broken bone.
- Kneecap / lateral release surgery – If you have a dislocated kneecap that has not responded to conservative treatment, a lateral release technique may be recommended.
- Neuro-orthopaedic surgery – For patients with neurological injuries such as stiff knee gaits due to cerebral palsy or stroke, or knee contractures due to trauma, inflammatory conditions or congenital deformities, we offer unique neuro-orthopaedic expertise. Through various surgical techniques such as soft-tissue release, osteotomies (removing a part of the bone), femoral shortening, hamstring lengthening and rectus transfer, patients can find new life.
- Partial knee replacement – This procedure replaces only a few parts of the knee. Our surgeons will decide to replace the medial, lateral or patellofemoral compartments of the knee joint. We offer traditional and robotic partial knee replacements.
- Total knee replacement – This surgery removes all of the bone and cartilage on the end of the thigh bone (femur) and top of the shin bone (tibia). A metal and plastic knee replacement implant is then placed in to function as a new knee joint. We offer traditional and robotic total knee replacement surgeries.
We always consider a wide range of treatment options and will discuss with you the benefits of surgery versus non-surgery for your specific case. There is not one treatment algorithm for every knee injury. The end goal is to get you back to doing your daily activities and to improve your quality of life.
Should surgery be the right option for you, you'll also consult with physiatrists and physical therapists to review goals and plans after surgery. Making sure you are well-informed and on the right path to recovery is our priority.