The knee joint is one of the strongest and largest joints in the human body, but that doesn’t mean it is immune to injury or damage.
Both seasoned athletes and those new to sport participation run the risk of experiencing knee injuries and issues through overexertion or high-force, with sprains, strains, fractures and dislocations common.
If you have experienced knee injuries and issues as a result of sport, it is important to see a knowledgeable and qualified knee specialist who understands your needs.
Find a Qualified Knee Specialist
Dr Jens Buelow is an orthopaedic knee and shoulder specialist in Perth with a particular interest in sports knee injuries.
In addition to his professional qualifications in orthopaedics, Dr Buelow is a member of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS), the Australian Knee Society and the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), among others.
Knee Injuries and Procedures
Below are some of the more common knee injuries and procedures that Dr Buelow encounters in his consultation room and carries out in theatre. Please click through to each page to find out more about the injury and potential treatments.
Knee Arthroscopy
If your injured knee hasn’t responded well to non-surgical treatments, as recommended by your health care professional, the next step may be a knee arthroscopy.
A knee arthroscopy is generally a day surgery; it involves a thin fibre-optic telescope (arthroscope) being passed into the knee joint, giving your specialist a view of the inside of your knee.
Dr Buelow may perform a knee arthroscopy to diagnose, assess and treat a number of knee injuries and conditions, such as treatment of patella (kneecap), meniscus surgery and repair, treatment of cartilage damage and other knee ligament repairs.
ACL tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a band of tissue that keeps your knee stable and holds the bones of your knee together.
People who play sports, particularly those that involve running or jumping, commonly experience ACL injuries because of sudden or high-impact movements they make while participating.
If the ACL tear is severe, Dr Buelow may undertake surgery on your deficient ACL to replace it. This surgery involves a hospital stay of 1-2 nights, as general anaesthesia is required. Post-surgery, patient rest, rehabilitation and physiotherapy play a vital role in ensuring the best recovery for the patient.
ACL Grafts
When a patient undergoes ACL surgery, Dr Buelow grafts tissue from elsewhere in the body to replace the deficient ACL. The gold standard graft tissue is the hamstring, as the hamstring graft generally presents more advantages and less disadvantages to the patients recovery, mobility and use of the knee post-surgery.
However, if required, graft tissue can be taken from a number of sites in the body including the patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon or from soft tissue allograft.
Multi-Ligament Injuries
While an isolated ACL tear is the most common knee ligament injury, some patients may be unlucky enough to injure multiple ligaments within the knee.
The most common multi-ligament tear is the ACL and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. Patients may have also experienced an ACL and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury, or a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)/LCL injury.
A possible, yet very uncommon multi-ligament injury is the ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury.
Dr Buelow will assess and treat each of these injuries as individual cases, ensuring that you, as the patient, understands the options, risks and recovery required post-surgery.
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial, or uni-compartmental, knee replacement is a minimally invasive procedure performed as an innovative alternative to a total knee replacement.
During a partial knee replacement, the healthy tissue in your knee is preserved, with only the damaged portion of your knee joint replaced – as opposed to a total knee replacement where there is much more disruption to the joint and surrounding ligaments.
Patients who live with arthritis and osteoarthritis may be ideal candidates for a partial knee reconstruction
Total Knee Replacement
In cases where a partial knee replacement or alternative treatment is not an option, Dr Buelow will use a total knee replacement to restore function and relieve pain for the patient.
Total knee replacements are recommended for patients living with rheumatoid arthritis, as the procedure replaces the worn out joint surfaces with an artificial implant, which is made of titanium metal alloy and plastic.
Contact Dr Buelow Today
When it comes to choosing an experienced, qualified specialist to assess, diagnose and treat your knee injuries, patients should do their research to find a specialist that suits their needs.
Dr Buelow books patient consultations from his office at the Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre in West Perth, where he can answer your questions regarding knee injury, surgery options and recovery.
Contact Dr Jens Buelow’s office today on (08) 9212 4200 to book a consultation.