Common Knee Problems

More people getting total joint replacement

Two years ago, Sharon Dieball couldn't climb stairs.

Deiball, 62, of Crystal Lake, couldn't bike, hike or sit with her legs criss-crossed on the floor without pain. She struggled to get out of a car. She couldn’t bend her left knee, and kept it elevated.

A meniscus repair surgery didn't alleviate the pain. An X-ray showed that the cartilage in her left knee was gone. It was bone on bone. Dieball opted for surgery that would replace her knee with a titanium joint in December 2009.

“I wanted to be active and happy," Dieball said. "I was depressed when I had all that pain. And I’m not anymore. I wanted to be there for my grandchild. We do a lot of things together.”

Dieball is part of the baby boomer population that is starting to make total joint replacements more and more common.

From 1997 to 2007, the population of 45- to 64-year-olds grew by 36 percent, but knee replacements in this group more than tripled. Obesity rates didn't rise enough to explain the trend.

People want to maintain their lifestyles and their level of activity, such as playing golf, tennis, or bowling, as they grow older, said Dr. Steven Rochell, a Crystal Lake orthopedist.

Knee replacement surgeries have doubled over the last decade and more than tripled in the 45- to 64-year-old age group, new research shows. Hips are trending that way, too.

Over the last three years, Centegra Health System doctors have performed about 400 knee replacements, 160 hip replacements and 40 shoulder replacements annually, said David Shinherr, executive director of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation for Centegra Health System.

Those who have had an injury in the past might need a joint replacement in the future.

"Usually those patients whose joints deteriorate over time have pre-existing problems," Rochell said.

He added that people who are bow-legged tend to need knee replacements as well.

But not all people who experience some sort of joint pain necessarily need a joint replacement. There may be therapies, exercises, injections and medications a patient can go through to help relieve pain.

"The goal is to relieve pain and provide function," Rochell said. Patients "want that function to be present for many years."

Warren Jablonsky is an orthopedist who has offices in Crystal Lake and Huntley.

With more baby boomers getting closer to retirement, Jablonsky said he expects the number of replacements to skyrocket.

Kayal Orthopaedic Center | NJ orthopedic surgeons: Knee Problems ...

I have helped hundreds of patients overcome the pain and immobility associated with debilitating knee injuries. My elite team of knee surgeons delivers patient-focused service that consists of: (1) educating patients, in-depth, about their knee injuries, (2) recommending the best treatment options, and (3) working to eliminate pain and achieve full rehabilitation. Whether your knee injury is sports-related—or was caused by a fall, an accident or a bone condition—we look forward to expediting your return to health.  Knee injuries are the most common joint injury, plaguing athletes and people of all ages. Knee injury complexity results from the joint’s elaborate anatomy, which consists of a sophisticated union of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscle. Bones include the lower portion of the femur (thigh bone), the upper portion of the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (knee cap). Together, these elements flex and extend with the help of ligaments and tendons, which protect the joint against abnormal movement. In addition, the knee is cushioned by the meniscus (cartilage padding), which helps to absorb the shock of impact and activity. Each of these joint elements serves a critical purpose, and when one fails due to injury—the knee joint is no longer mechanically sound.   The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, limits excessive rotation and forward movement of the knee. It is commonly injured during a sudden, impactful stop (i.e. – landing from a jump), during a twisting motion, or during a blow/force to the joint. ACL tears are common in basketball, skiing, football, and other activities that require jumps or rapid changes in direction.   Torn knee cartilage usually refers to a tear in the meniscus, which is a rubbery cartilage section that attaches to the ligaments. The meniscus ensures even application of body weight across the knee joint, and absorbs shock during jumping, cutting, pivoting or impact. Traumatic injury (usually excessive bending and twisting of the knee) may cause a meniscus tear. This type of cartilage damage is also common with joint degeneration, since the meniscus can “wear out” over time.    Often, my team of NJ orthopedic surgeons can establish a diagnosis with just a physical exam and medical history. However, your injury may also require diagnostic imaging, such as MRIs, CT scans and x-rays.

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