dr rajan's knee clinic

Introduction: Anatomy of the Knee The knee joint is a structure composed of three bones: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone) and the patella (knee cap). The bones are covered with smooth cartilage surfaces that act as a cushion during weight-bearing activity. The bones of the knee are connected by strong ligaments and powerful muscles that are attached to the thigh and calf by tendons and provide side-to-side stability. In a healthy knee, all of these structures work together to allow the knee to flex (bend) and extend (straighten) the lower leg smoothly. Arthritis is a disease that affects the surface of the joint (cartilage) wearing down so it no longer moves smoothly and loses the ability to acts like a cushion. Damaged cartilage causes a roughened surface and may lead to bones rubbing directly together, causing persistent pain, clicking, a catching sensation, and limited range of motion. Knee Arthritis There are three common types of arthritis: Oste...

The symptoms of shoulder arthritis tend to progress gradually; sometimes shoulder osteoarthritis symptoms may seemingly get better, only to return. Many people initially attribute shoulder soreness or stiffness to lack of exercise or getting older. However, shoulder arthritis can progress and eventually interrupt one’s ability to enjoy everyday activities. Early recognition of symptoms and appropriate activity modification and treatment can sometimes slow or eliminate progression of shoulder osteoarthritis symptoms. Joint tenderness and pain. Tenderness and pain due to glenohumeral osteoarthritis is usually centered at the back of the shoulder and can be felt in the middle-range of motion rather than at the extremes of flexibility. Those with moderate to severe glenohumeral arthritis may experience dull aching pain at night making it difficult to sleep. Pain may intensify with changes in the weather. Stiffness or loss of motion. Aside from pain, a major symptom of sh...

Most patients will be asked to donate 1 to 2 pints of their own blood in the weeks preceding knee replacement surgery. This helps reduce the need for a blood transfusion from our blood bank. Almost all of the patients will receive the donated blood as a transfusion after surgery. Rarely, an additional transfusion is necessary from our blood bank. The blood from the blood bank is carefully screened to the best of our ability to detect any infectious diseases. You will be asked to see a medical doctor at HSS prior to your surgery. This is a precaution to make certain that you are healthy enough to undergo knee replacement surgery. In the course of this workup, you may be asked to have additional testing to examine your heart and lung function. After your surgery, this medical doctor will see you in the hospital. Postoperative course Immediately after total knee replacement surgery, you will be in the recovery room. Most patients are able to go to a regular room after a fe...