Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tears – How I Treat These Injuries
What is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)? A ligament is a strong fibrous tissue that attaches one bone to another. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments form an “X” in the centre of the knee joint. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) being the larger of the 2 and situated behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). … Read more
Deep Seated Pain at Back of Knee with Bending – Think of Mucoid Degeneration of ACL
Mucoid Degeneration of the ACL What Is Mucoid Degeneration of the ACL? This is basically an MRI diagnosis of expansion and increased signal of an intact ACL in a person with knee pain which is worse on knee flexion/bending. Presentation Patients usually present with nonspecific posterior knee pain with restriction of flexion. There is usually … Read more
Sudden Onset of Knee Pain – Consider a Medial Meniscus Posterior Horn Root Tear
Meniscus Root Tear The medial meniscus or inner shock absorber of the knee has attachment in the front (anterior horn) and the back (posterior horn). The posterior horn or root can tear as a result of degeneration or trauma. This typical presentation include: Sudden onset of severe knee pain. Does not improve with pain killers. … Read more
An Uncommon Cause of Knee Locking – Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS)
PVNS or pigmented villonodular synovitis is an uncommon condition that I see from time to time. This is a benign tumour involving the inner lining of a joint. I treat about 3 to 4 such cases each year. Although it can affect any joint in the body, the most common joint with this problem that … Read more
Platelet Rich Plasma Injection for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an innovative treatment that uses the body’s own cells to relieve pain and promote accelerated, long-lasting healing of certain musculoskeletal conditions. Type of Injuries where PRP Can Help Although PRP therapy has been used safely in dentistry for over twenty years, recent advancements have revolutionized the … Read more
Cartilage Repair Using Autologous Chondrocytes – The Implantation
Cartilage defects of the knee joint can be repaired using cultured cartilage cells taken from the patient’s knee cartilage. The indications, contraindications and biopsy of the cartilage were previously discussed. You can click on this link to read the article. Click Here. In this article, I will explain how the cultured cartilage cells are implanted … Read more
Cartilage Repair Using Autologous Chondrocyte | HC Chang Orthopaedic Surgery
Full thickness cartilage defect of the knee can be repaired using Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI). What is MACI? MACI implant is a 20cm2 (5 x 4cm) Type I/III collagen membrane seeded with up to 20 million autologous chondrocytes (living cartilage cells). This works out to approximately 1 million cells per cm2. The implant is … Read more
Treatment Options for Cartilage Damage | Cartilage Defects of the Knee
What is Cartilage? A type of tissue primarily found in the joints Fibrous, elastic tissue covering the bone surfaces in a joint. It has a sliding and impact-absorbing function. Smooth, slippery substance preventing the ends of bones from rubbing together. Unlike bone, cartilage does not contain blood vessels and lacks the ability to regenerate. It … Read more
Recurrent Kneecap Dislocations – The Role of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament
Conservative (that is non-surgical) treatment of acute kneecap dislocation •Re-dislocation rates after conservative treatment of acute lateral patellar dislocation varies from 15 – 63% – Cofield, J Trauma 1977 – Larsen, CORR 1982 – Hawkins, AJSM 1986 – Hughston, AJSM 1988 – Cash, AJSM 1988 Acute Surgical Repair •Using various surgical methods •Re-dislocation rates less … Read more
Patellar Dislocations – What, Why, Who and What to Do.
What is a dislocated patella? A dislocated kneecap (patella) occurs when the kneecap (patella) pops out from its normal position. This can occur as the result of trauma or it can be due to a developmental condition that leads to an improper alignment of the kneecap with the distal thighbone (femur). The kneecap usually pops … Read more
