Do I Need Knee Surgery?  | A Harvard Doctor Weighs In

If you’re searching for a top knee specialist near me NYC, then you’re one of many! The incidence of knee pain is becoming increasingly common. It was previously believed that older individuals were more susceptible to knee issues. However, our modern sedentary lifestyles are giving rise to knee problems now more than ever!

If you struggle with knee pain, then you’ll want to find an expert board certified knee doctor to treat you. Regardless of whether you have sports injuries, broken bones or an underlying health condition, it is vital you receive the best patient care.

The great news is that there are many orthopedic surgeons in nyc offering treatment options to fix your knee. The bad news is that many of these surgeons rely on orthopedic surgery and narcotics as their only options for treatment.

Nowadays, many surgeons and orthopedic specialists push for knee surgery and narcotics to treat knee pain. However, knee surgery is very risky and can sometimes create more problems. For example, a run-of-the-mill knee arthroscopy (a special surgery where they insert a camera into the knee) puts you more at risk of developing arthritis. This is because orthopedic surgeons often find a torn meniscus which can be repaired during surgery. Cartilage tears are very common amongst professional athletes. However, the downside is that you will be missing a small amount of cartilage which can contribute to arthritis in future.

Many knee issues (such as a cartilage tear) can be diagnosed and repaired without surgery or NSAIDs, opioids and narcotics! Knee surgery can also lead to secondary health issues such as wound infections, blood clots, nerve damage and lengthy recovery periods.

The best knee specialist near me NYC will avoid using risky orthopedic surgeries or narcotics to treat knee pain. There are many highly effective treatment plans available which use the latest cutting-edge technology to diagnose and treat a range of knee issues. These techniques boast the latest advancements in pain medicine and combine medical technology with a holistic approach to health.

This state of the art Harvard pain clinic in Manhattan NYC houses a team of board certified Harvard doctors who are passionate about safe and effective pain treatments. Regardless of any previous treatments or why you’re in pain, these top-rated knee experts spend time to create a custom care plan that suits your needs. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about risky surgeries or narcotics!

Let’s meet the top team of Harvard knee specialists in New York City.

The Top 2 Knee Specialists Near Me NYC

If you have knee pain, it’s highly recommended you book an appointment with one of our board certified Harvard pain doctors NYC. Providing the best minimally invasive treatment options and exceptional patient care is at the heart of the Harvard pain clinic Manhattan.

It’s vital you understand what is causing your knee pain and the best treatment choices to suit you. If you leave your knee pain untreated, it could get worse over time. You also could be at risk of receiving advice that doesn’t maximize your health.

This state of the art Harvard clinic welcomes professional athletes and patients from around the world. It values the importance of establishing healthy doctor-patient relationships and a remarkable patient journey. Regardless of any previous treatments you’ve had or why you have knee pain, these top-rated Harvard doctors will create a custom care plan. Let’s meet the expert team of knee specialists:

• Dr. George Hanna – Dr. Hanna is a double board certified and nationally recognized pain doctor. He is an expert in anesthesiology, interventional pain management, and pain medicine. Dr. Hanna is an experienced Director of Pain Innovations & Technology at Harvard, Medical Director of Pain Management at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and Chairman of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at Chilton Medical Center.

• Dr. Shane Volney – Dr. Volney is a double board certified Harvard doctor and expert in anesthesiology and pain medicine. He was appointed Director of Resident Education in Pain Medicine and has also served as Chairman of the Massachusetts General Hospital Pain and Sedation Committee. Dr. Volney regularly contributes to scientific publications and textbooks to further advance the field of pain medicine.

What Are The Best Knee Treatments? 

So far, we’ve explored the importance of visiting a board certified knee specialist near me NYC. Now let’s look at the latest minimally invasive treatment options provided by Harvard doctors in Manhattan.

Steroid Knee Injections

A top knee specialist near me NYC will usually recommend steroid injections as the first line of treatment. Steroid injections are a fast and highly effective treatment option for painful knees.

Steroid injections contain a local anesthetic which numbs the knee. The steroid injection also contains a corticosteroid which reduces inflammation and subsequent pain in your knee joint. Some knee doctors will use X-Ray guidance to ensure they can inject the steroid medicine directly into the area of pain. This means your treatment will be exceptionally accurate.

Many patients receive 2-3 steroid injections over the course of their treatment for maximum effect. They are a safe, quick and effective procedure which can help you return to your daily activities.

Genicular Nerve Block

Genicular nerve blocks are another excellent minimally invasive treatment which can be used to both diagnose and treat knee problems. It works on the principle that by blocking pain signals, you will receive long-lasting knee pain relief.

During this procedure, a knee doctor uses X-Ray guidance to find the best place to insert needles. Once the correct area has been located, these needles will be placed around the area of pain. Next, a pain doctor will use local anesthetic to numb the genicular nerves in the knee joint. This will stop the genicular nerves from sending pain signals from the knee joint to the brain.

Genicular nerve blocks are a safe and pain-free procedure which helps many patients get back on their feet in a healthy way. They provide exceptional long-term pain relief and help many individuals to avoid knee surgery.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerve

Rfa treatment is an exciting area of pain technology. It works in a similar way to a genicular nerve block and is another excellent option for those seeking long-term knee pain relief. Throughout the procedure, your board certified doctor NY will provide you with medicine to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable.

Before the procedure starts, your knee doctor will run tests to ensure they have the best possible areas located in the knee for the placement of the needles. Once the needles are placed in the correct position, you are ready to receive long-lasting pain relief.

During this procedure, a knee doctor NYC uses a small generator to transmit rf energy to the knee joint. The rf energy heats up the genicular nerves in the knee. This thermal energy deactivates the genicular nerves so that they are unable to send pain signals from the knee to the brain.

Radiofrequency ablation is a popular treatment choice with a high success rate. It stops many individuals from committing to risky and unnecessary knee surgeries and ensures long-term pain relief.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy works very well with many of these treatment options. A top knee specialist near me NYC will recommend the best physical therapist to work with you. A physical therapist will assess your knee issue and will spend time working through gentle exercises with you. They will expect you to complete these exercises at home to improve the strength, flexibility and mobility of the knee joint.

If you are wanting to explore any of these world-class treatment options, please call our office (646) 493-0282. Our state of the art Harvard clinic is centered in the heart of the Big Apple in Midtown Manhattan. We have excellent transport links to Grand Central Station, Penn Station and subway lines 1 – 6 and a,c,e.