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KNEE PAIN SPECIALIST

Titan Orthopedics

Orthopedics located in Memphis, TN

Your knees play no small role in helping you make your way through the world, so when knee pain develops, your world is limited in significant ways. At Titan Orthopedics, board-certified orthopedic surgeon John Lochemes, MD, has extensive experience helping his patients of all ages in Memphis, Tennessee, regain pain-free movement. If knee pain is sidelining you from your life, please call the office or use the online scheduling tool to set up a consultation.

Knee Pain Q & A

What is the anatomy of the knee?

Your knees are the largest joints in your body, and for good reason. They’re not only responsible for supporting much of your body, but your knees also provide mobility and shock absorption, allowing you to walk, run, pivot, and jump.

Enabling all of this are the numerous soft and hard tissue structures of your knee, which include your:

  • Femur (thighbone)
  • Tibia (shinbone)
  • Patella (kneecap)
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Muscles
  • Menisci
  • Cartilage

When knee pain crops up, it can involve one or more of these components, and it usually has a widespread impact on the overall function of your knee.

What can cause knee pain?

Because of the complexity of your knee, there are dozens of problems that can lead to knee pain, including, but not limited to:

  • Ligament tears, including your anterior (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments
  • Meniscus tears
  • Fractures
  • Arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
  • Tendon tears

These conditions can develop on the heels of an acute injury, which is often the case with ACL and meniscus tears, or because of degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

How is knee pain diagnosed and treated?

If you’ve developed knee pain, the first order of business at Titan Orthopedics is to locate the source of the discomfort. To do this, Dr. Lochemes reviews your symptoms, examines your knee, and orders advanced imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI, to get a clearer picture of the inside of your joint.

Once he diagnoses the source of your knee pain, Dr. Lochemes recommends a treatment plan that relieves your pain and repairs the damage. Typically, he starts out conservatively with:

  • Rest
  • Physical therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Bracing

If your knee pain persists, or your tissue can benefit from a repair, Dr. Lochemes may recommend surgery. Knee surgery has come a long way thanks to minimally invasive surgical techniques like arthroscopy, which allows him to make the necessary repairs through very small incisions, cutting down on your pain and your recovery time.

If you’re hobbled by knee pain, call Titan Orthopedics for relief. Or you can request an appointment using the online scheduling tool.