Knee Pain Specialist
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Thomas J. Kremen, M.D.
Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialist located in Santa Monica, CA & Los Angeles, CA
Your knees may be the most important joints in your body, so when pain strikes, it can have a widespread effect on your ability to function. Knee pain isn’t uncommon and can affect anyone, at any activity level. As an orthopedic surgeon, Thomas J. Kremen, MD understands the complexities of the knee and has several effective treatment options for his patients in Santa Monica. If knee pain keeps you from getting around, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment.
Knee Pain Q & A
What is the structure of the knee?
Before discussing knee pain, it’s helpful to take a step back and take a look at the many components that make up this joint. Your knee is the largest joint in your body where three bones come together:
- Your femur (thighbone)
- Your tibia (shinbone)
- Your patella (kneecap)
Connecting these bones, and allowing the freedom of movement you enjoy in your knees, are a host of soft tissue players, including:
- Ligaments
- Muscles
- Cartilage
- Tendons
- Bursae
What are the most common causes of knee pain?
The complexity of your knee means that knee pain can strike for any number of reasons. The most common causes of knee pain include:
- Ligament tear
- Meniscus tear
- Fracture
- Dislocation
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
Leading the charge in knee pain are problems with your ligaments. Dr. Kremen specializes in ligament injuries, including:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries or tears
- Multiple ligament injuries and knee dislocations
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
- Posterolateral corner knee injuries
To get to the bottom of your knee pain, Dr. Kremen performs an extensive evaluation, reviewing your symptoms and using diagnostic imaging to get a closer look inside. Once he pinpoints the problem, he gets you started on a treatment plan to alleviate your pain and get you back to moving freely.
How is knee pain treated?
Dr. Kremen has the advantage of being both an orthopedic surgeon, as well as a sports medicine specialist, so he understands how the knee works and which treatments are best.
After diagnosing your injury, he recommends a plan that addresses your injury, your comfort, and your future goals. Dr. Kremen uses the latest arthroscopic techniques to repair injuries to your knees, keeping any surgery as minimally invasive as possible. That means you have minimal downtime, and you can get back to your active lifestyle quickly.
More often than not, part of Dr. Kremen’s treatment also includes physical therapy to strengthen your injured knee to prevent re-injury.
If knee pain is having a serious impact on your ability to go about your life, call Thomas J. Kremen, MD, or fill out the scheduling form online to book an appointment.
