Before a surgical technique can be conclusively declared a success, many studies must be done to look at treatment effects, long-term results, patient satisfaction, and function. One study (no matter how large) is never enough to satisfy the need for evidence to prove the benefits of the procedure. In this article, a systematic review is conducted of the long-term results for microfracture cartilage repair of the knee. Systematic review means a number of studies were examined.

Taking a quick look at the anatomy of the meniscus, we find that it is a C-shaped disk of fibrous cartilage between the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone). There are two menisci: one on each side of the knee joint. The medial meniscus (along the inside of the knee closest to the other leg) is torn most often. The lateral meniscus (along the outside of the knee away from the other leg) is injured less often.

The meniscus is a commonly injured structure in the knee. The injury can occur in any age group. In younger people, the meniscus is fairly tough and rubbery, and tears usually occur as a result of a forceful twisting injury. The meniscus grows weaker with age, and meniscal tears can occur in aging adults as the result of fairly minor injuries, even from the up-and-down motion of squatting.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently published Clinical Practice Guidelines for the nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Guidelines like this help all health care professionals treating patients with knee arthritis using noninvasive approaches. Patient education, self-management techniques, physical therapy, and exercise are just a few ways this problem can be approached conservatively.

In this article, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) presents a Clinical Practice Guideline for the nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Guidelines like this help all health care professionals treating patients with knee arthritis using noninvasive approaches. Patient education, self-management techniques, physical therapy, and exercise are just a few ways this problem can be approached conservatively.

If you watch much sports on television, you know that a torn knee cartilage (meniscus) can put a player on the bench. Injuries to the meniscus occur most often in athletes when they injure other parts of the knee (e.g., knee ligament tears, fractures around the knee). But did you know that most meniscal tears actually occur in older adults as a result of aging?

Unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis is a common problem associated with alignment problems, obesity, and aging. It means that degenerative changes have affected one side of the joint -- either the medial side (closest to the other knee) or the lateral side (outside half of the joint).

Your surgeon is the best one to answer this question. He or she will probably have a specific protocol that you will follow after surgery. Some of this depends on the surgery you have done (e.g., repair versus reconstruction) and how it's done.

There are many different types of braces on the market for the knee. Prophylactic braces are used to prevent or decrease the risk of a knee injury. Functional braces stabilize a wobbly knee when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is deficient or after surgery to repair the ligament. Rehabilitative braces limit the amount of knee motion that's allowed during recovery and rehab after knee surgery.

The problem of patellar instability is fairly common, especially among the young, athletic population. Instability usually means the patella (kneecap) has dislocated more than once. This condition poses a treatment challenge because of the unique and complex anatomy and biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint (where the kneecap articulates or moves against the leg bones).