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Knee Pain

• Understanding Knee Pain
  • Causes of Knee Pain
  • Treating Knee Pain
  • Orthopaedic Evaluation
  
  
• Stryker Treatment Options
  
  
• Take Control
  
  
• Real Stories from Knee Replacement Recipients
  
  

Orthopaedic Evaluation

Having an Orthopaedic Evaluation

The medical management of arthritis and joint degeneration may be handled by a family doctor, an internist, or a rheumatologist. However, when medical management is not effective, an orthopaedic surgeon should be consulted to determine if surgery is an option. In some cases, the orthopaedic surgeon may be the first physician to see a patient and make the diagnosis of arthritis. If you’re ready to consider having knee joint replacement, the next important step is to talk with a Stryker orthopaedic surgeon.

Why Choose a Stryker Surgeon

Each Stryker surgeon has been trained on the latest advances in ceramics and minimally invasive surgery across a broad range of needs from knee to knee to shoulder. One of Stryker's strengths is the marriage of technology with surgical expertise.

If you're ready to consider having knee joint replacement, the next important step is to talk with an orthopaedic surgeon. The medical management of arthritis and joint degeneration may be handled by a family doctor, an internist, or a rheumatologist. However, when medical management is not effective, an orthopaedic surgeon should be consulted to determine if surgery is an option. In some cases, the orthopaedic surgeon may be the first physician to make the diagnosis of arthritis.

Note: Many factors will go into making your joint pain diagnosis. Be sure to print out the results of your Self-Test, 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor, and Information Your Doctor May Need From You and show them to the orthopaedic surgeon during your visit.

While every orthopaedic evaluation is different, there are many commonly used tests that an orthopaedic surgeon may consider in evaluating a patient's condition. In general, the orthopaedic evaluation usually consists of:

• A thorough review of your medical history
• A physical examination
• X-rays
• Additional tests as needed

The information that the orthopaedic surgeon gathers during the medical history usually suggests the possibility of several different diagnoses (causes). After the medical history is taken, the orthopaedic surgeon conducts a physical examination.

Find an Orthopaedic Doctor Search for Orthopedic Doctors in your area. Receive the names and addresses of Orthopedic Doctors who have used or are familiar with Stryker products.

After the physical examination, X-ray evaluation is usually the next step in making the diagnosis. The X-rays help show how much joint damage or deformity exists. An abnormal X-ray may reveal:

• Narrowing of the joint space
• Cysts in the bone
• Spurs on the edge of the bone
• Areas of bony thickening called sclerosis
• Deformity or incorrect alignment
• Other abnormalities

Additional tests may include laboratory testing of blood, urine, or joint fluid and/or magnetic resonance imaging or a bone scan of the joint and surrounding soft tissue.