Knee Surgery

If you struggle with knee pain because of an injury, you might need surgery. At Belongie Orthopedics in Clearwater, Florida, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Duane Belongie, MD, and his skilled staff offer cutting-edge knee surgery to restore the affected joint and ensure it heals properly. Call the office to schedule a consultation with Belongie Orthopedics or use the online booking feature today.

What is knee surgery?

Knee surgery at Belongie Orthopedics uses advanced technologies and procedures to restore your knee joint. Dr. Belongie offers knee scoping, total and partial knee replacement, fracture care, and more. He’s highly trained in orthopedic surgery and has many years of experience repairing and replacing knee joints.

What are the benefits of knee surgery?

If you have a knee injury or age-related wear-and-tear, you can reap many of the following benefits after undergoing knee surgery, such as:

• Reduced knee pain
• Stronger knee joint
• Improvements in joint structure 
• Better joint functioning
• Improved quality of life
• Better range of motion
• Less stiffness
• Reduced swelling

After undergoing knee surgery, you can resume all or many of the same activities you did before your injury.

Why might I need knee surgery?

Common reasons for needing knee surgery include:

• Age-related wear-and-tear
• Arthritis
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries
• Torn meniscus 
• Bursitis (inflammation) 
• Tendonitis
• Fractures
• Dislocated kneecap

Risk factors for sustaining a knee injury include carrying excess weight, previous knee injuries, lack of strength or flexibility, and playing sports.

Is knee surgery right for me?

Dr. Belongie lets you know if you need knee surgery after reviewing your symptoms and medical history, completing a physical exam, checking your vital signs, and ordering diagnostic tests. He may suggest X-rays, an ultrasound, an MRI, a CT scan, knee scoping, or other diagnostic procedures.

How should I prepare for knee surgery?

To get ready for knee surgery, follow your pre-surgery instructions. Dr. Belongie may ask you to stop taking certain medications for a period of time before your scheduled surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding. Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward and avoid foods and drinks the morning of surgery if Dr. Belongie asks you to.

What should I expect during knee surgery?

Before surgery, you receive anesthesia to numb the treatment area or make you fall asleep. This way, you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.  

Dr. Belongie makes a tiny incision, removes, repairs, or replaces tissues, and closes the incision afterward. The length of time your surgery takes varies, but it could last about two hours.

What happens after the procedure?

After knee surgery at Belongie Orthopedics, you rest in a recovery area until it’s time to head home. You can usually go home the same day, but have a family member or friends drive you there and stay with you.

Take medications as directed by Dr. Belongie, keep the treatment area clean, ice your knee, and get plenty of rest. Wear a brace and attend follow-up visits with Dr. Belongie, as well as physical therapy sessions, to maximize your recovery.

To schedule a knee surgery consultation at Belongie Orthopedics, call the office or use the online booking feature today.