Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment for Painful Knee or Shoulder Joints
Your knees and shoulders are the most flexible joints in your body, allowing you to pivot and rotate in many positions. However this flexibility is also what makes these joints susceptible to instability and injury.
At Torrance Memorial we offer the full spectrum of treatments for painful knee and shoulder joints, from physical therapy to leading edge surgical options. Our expert orthopedic surgeons will take the time to accurately diagnose your condition and offer innovative solutions to help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
At Torrance Memorial we offer the full spectrum of treatments for painful knees and shoulders, from physical therapy to leading edge surgical options.
Diseases of the Joints
Osteoarthritis ("Wear-and-Tear Arthritis)
The most common type of joint arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is often referred to as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, and it results in the wearing away of the normal smooth cartilage until bare bone is exposed causing severe pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unlike osteoarthritis, which is a "wear and tear" phenomenon, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in joint pain, stiffness and swelling. The disease process leads to severe, and at times rapid, weakening of multiple joints, resulting in severe pain and loss of function.
Joint Procedures
Total and Partial Joint Replacement
Joint pain occurs when the cartilage connecting bones wears away or is damaged. When this happens to the knee or shoulder, replacement may be the only solution that can enable a patient to return to an active lifestyle. Joint replacement can reduce pain, restore movement to the joint and improve the overall quality of a patient's life. When only a portion of the joint is damaged, a partial joint replacement may be all that's needed.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is a common orthopedic technique that is often used to diagnose and treat problems in joints.
Arthroscopy is performed by inserting a tiny camera attached to a fiber-optic light source through a small incision (about one centimeter) and into the joint. The camera allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of the joint on a television monitor during the procedure, which involves pumping fluid through the joint to clear debris from the joint. One or more other incisions may be made to insert instruments that can treat a variety of conditions.
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