Knee Treatment
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician, Dr. Howard specializes in knee treatments and arthroscopic surgery. Knee pain and knee injuries are challenging to self-diagnose, and one of the most common injuries across all sports and activities. Full time athletes, avid hobbyists, and weekend warriors alike experience a variety of knee issues, including ACL and meniscus tears, bursitis and tendonitis, and dislocations and fractures.
Using analysis and diagnostic tests, Dr. Howard will pinpoint the cause of your knee pain and create a treatment plan that enlists all non-invasive options before resorting to a surgery recommendation. Proper rehabilitation and therapy, cortisone injections, bracing and alternative movements may be part of the course of treatment. Should surgery be recommended, the doctor will discuss your condition, the procedure in detail, and assist you in making an informed decision yourself.
Patients trust Dr. Howard throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties. With 2 office locations in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, he provides orthopedic care to individuals in Clearwater, Largo, St Petersburg, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Tarpon Springs, and Hudson.
Dr. Howard stays abreast of the latest techniques that are proving successful with practicing physicians and researchers throughout the nation and globe. He collaborates with your physical therapist to ensure your exercises are coordinated with his diagnosis and treatment plan. He will monitor your care throughout your treatment, including during surgery recovery and rehabilitation.
Knee Conditions and Injuries
ACL tear
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee and is frequently torn, and is fixed by placing a new ACL ligament
PCL tear
Often caused by a football injury or other traumatic injury, some posterior cruciate ligament injuries can be repaired, while others are treated with physical therapy and bracing.
MCL tear
The medial collateral ligament is commonly hurt in a slip and fall accident, and is frequently treated in a brace to let the ligament heal
PLC tear
The posterolateral corner is a collection of ligaments on the outside of the knee that is commonly injured in a twisting injury.
Meniscus tear
One of the most common injuries to the knee, the meniscus is a shock absorber that can tear causing pain, and is commonly treated using injections, physical therapy, or arthroscopic surgery.
Knee dislocation
A knee dislocation often results in damage to multiple ligaments in the knee, and often needs surgical repair or reconstruction
Kneecap dislocation
The kneecap (or patella) often can dislocate in a traumatic event, and if it dislocates multiple times, should be surgically stabilized.
Arthritis
Bursitis and Tendonitis
Knee Treatments and Procedures
Some Treatments and procedures that Dr. Howard may employ are:
Injections
Corticosteroid injections, Hyaluronic Acid
Physical Therapy
Cartilage transplant (MACI or OATS)
In patients with no or mild arthritis, a cartilage transplant can be performed for symptomatic cartilage problems.
Meniscus transplant
After a meniscus has been damaged beyond repair through injury or surgery, a new meniscus can be placed into the knee to provide a new shock absorber for the knee.
OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) treatment
A problem commonly affecting teenagers, a piece of cartilage can degrade quickly and cause early osteoarthritis.
Subchondroplasty
For early to moderate arthritis, an alternative to knee replacement is performed by injecting bone cement into the bone underneath the cartilage to support the cartilage and relieve pain
Tibial or Femoral osteotomy
For early arthritis of the knee, sometimes a cut of the thigh bone (femur) or shinbone (tibia) is created to relieve the pressure on a knee to avoid progression of arthritis.