Knee pain can affect people of all ages, from athletes and active individuals to those experiencing age-related joint problems. A knee injury may result from sports, accidents, repetitive activity, ligament damage, cartilage problems, or gradual wear and tear. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help protect knee function and, in many cases, delay or avoid unnecessary joint replacement.

At Sports Orthopaedic & Arthroscopy Centre, knee conditions are evaluated with a focus on accurate diagnosis, preservation of the natural joint, and selecting the least invasive treatment that is appropriate for the individual patient.

Knee Treatment by Dr. Raghavendra Kembhavi

Dr. Raghavendra Kembhavi is a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with specialized experience in knee arthroscopy, sports injuries, joint preservation, arthroplasty, and complex trauma.

Qualifications:

MBBS
MS Orthopaedics – JIPMER
Senior Consultant Orthopedics
Fellowship-trained in India and abroad
Special interest in sports injuries, arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and joint preservation

Dr. Kembhavi completed his MS Orthopaedics at JIPMER, an Institute of National Importance, in 2011, followed by three years of senior residency at JIPMER. His further fellowship training has focused on sports injuries, arthroscopy and joint replacement procedures involving the knee, hip and shoulder.

His treatment philosophy emphasizes preserving the natural joint whenever clinically possible, while considering joint replacement when it is genuinely required.

What Knee Problems Can Be Treated?

Knee pain is not a single condition. Different structures of the knee can be affected, including the ligaments, meniscus, cartilage, tendons and bones.

Common knee conditions treated by an orthopaedic and sports injury specialist include:

ACL Injuries

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important stabilizing ligament of the knee. ACL injuries are particularly common in sports involving sudden changes of direction, jumping, pivoting or landing.

Symptoms may include:

A popping sensation at the time of injury
Knee swelling
Pain
Difficulty bearing weight
A feeling that the knee is unstable
Difficulty returning to sports

Depending on the patient’s age, activity level, injury pattern and knee stability, treatment may involve rehabilitation or ACL reconstruction.

Meniscus Tears

The meniscus acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shin bone. A tear can occur during sports or as a result of degenerative changes.

Symptoms may include:

Pain along the joint line
Swelling
Clicking or catching
Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
Locking sensation

Where appropriate, meniscus repair may be considered to preserve as much healthy meniscal tissue as possible.

Cartilage Injuries

Articular cartilage allows smooth movement of the knee joint. Damage to cartilage can occur following trauma, sports injuries or gradual degeneration.

Treatment depends on the size, location and severity of the cartilage defect and may involve rehabilitation, activity modification, injections or cartilage-preserving procedures in selected patients.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage and other structures within the knee progressively deteriorate. It can cause:

Knee pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Reduced walking ability
Difficulty climbing stairs
Pain after prolonged activity
Reduced range of movement

Treatment depends on the severity of arthritis. Early and moderate cases may often be managed with non-surgical measures, while advanced disease may require surgical treatment.

Patellar and Kneecap Problems

Pain around the kneecap can be associated with patellofemoral problems, instability, cartilage damage or abnormal tracking of the patella.

A detailed clinical assessment can help identify the underlying cause rather than simply treating the pain.

Sports-Related Knee Injuries

Athletes can experience a variety of knee injuries, including:

  • ACL injuries
  • PCL injuries
  • MCL and LCL injuries
  • Meniscus tears
  • Cartilage injuries
  • Patellar instability
  • Tendon injuries
  • Knee dislocations
  • Complex ligament injuries

Treatment is planned according to the injury, sporting requirements, age, activity level and long-term goals.