When I have to operate the knee?

The doctor. Cabot is pathology orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee. He was president of the Spanish Society of Knee and Arthroscopy. He is director of the Knee Unit COTA, she practices in the Chiron Hospital and Medical Center Health 78. In the last 20 years he has organized numerous courses on pathology of the knee.

Doctor Cabot, when I have to operate the knee?

The answer is easy: when indicated, has determined a complete and accurate diagnosis and surgery is the best remedy. Give an example, doctor. There are many: a torn meniscus will require arthroscopic surgery, an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament one ligamentoplasty, advanced knee osteoarthritis ala and a patellar prosthesis should never be operated almost chondropathy. But in all there are nuances.

The diagnosis is easy?

Sometimes no. Fortunately everyone is different from the others and each case singular. Although MRI is an excellent method, there are only detectable by the valuation aspects and clinical examination by your doctor. For example, a meniscal injury with osteoarthritis can have a bad result with an arthroscopy and a prosthesis can be excessive solution. When meniscal injuries, osteoarthritis and ligaments combined diagnosis is complicated.

Are there special cases?

A professional athlete is different than 20 years for an adult 60 years to play a paddle or a woman, which sometimes must be treated differently ...

Does the knee of women is different?

Yes, even different prostheses are designed around the female anatomy. Also special physical preparations to prevent injuries to female athletes.

So accurate diagnosis is key?

If. It must be particularized for each person, valuing their activity, occupation, gender, etc.. Often not worth that of "I have the same as you or I have done the same operation."

As for the knee surgery, anything new, doctor?

Newest imposed when it is exceeded traditional, but this is difficult. There are surgical treatments such as osteotomies, the recentrajes kneecap and ligament plasty combinations that have not been overcome and that even in recent years have been revalued. Not everything is arthroscopy and prosthetics.

But something has been improved.

The quality and design of the materials, such as plates, screws and prostheses, are much better, more consistent, stronger and last longer. Surgical techniques have become more sophisticated and less invasive. Tissue banks for not sacrificing patient structures are used more and regenerative techniques are associated. Revenues in clinic are shorter and faster recovery.

What if I do not want me to operate, what I can do?

There are non-surgical treatments that offer good results and that can overcome some illnesses or surgery differ as so-called regenerative, from the application of growth factors to cells or mesenchymal stem cells.

Doctor, thank you very much. Sorry, but I hope I do not have to operate.

Ideally it can be improved or cured without surgery, I only would operate if it were the best solution for your problem.