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Procedures

Conditions

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Meniscus Repair

Arthroscopic stitching of a torn meniscus back together when the tear can heal, or trimming the torn piece when it cannot.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Knee Arthroscopy

Camera-guided knee surgery through small incisions for meniscus tears, loose bodies, cartilage flaps and kneecap problems.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Cartilage Restoration

Procedures that repair or regrow damaged articular cartilage in the knee, from cell-based restoration to cartilage autograft and allograft transplantation, for focal defects.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biologic Treatments

Injections of platelet-rich plasma and related preparations from your own blood or tissue to support healing of tendons and joints, as an alternative or complement to surgery.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Regenerative Medicine

Evidence-first evaluation of stem cell-based and other biologic treatments for tendon, ligament, cartilage and joint conditions, with honest guidance on what the research supports.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MCL Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament on the inner side of the knee for severe tears, persistent instability and combined ligament injuries.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MPFL Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with a tendon graft to stop recurrent kneecap dislocations and restore patellar stability.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Quad and Patellar Tendon Repair

Surgical reattachment of a torn quadriceps or patellar tendon to the kneecap so the knee can straighten and bear weight again.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Knee Osteotomy

Realignment surgery through the tibia or femur, or repositioning of the tibial tubercle, to unload damaged cartilage, correct kneecap tracking and preserve the natural knee.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of two or more torn knee ligaments, including the ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL and posterolateral corner, after high-energy injuries and knee dislocations.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

SLAP Repair

Arthroscopic repair of a superior labral tear where the biceps tendon anchors to the shoulder socket, for deep shoulder pain, clicking and overhead symptoms.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biceps Tenodesis

Releasing the damaged long head of the biceps tendon from inside the shoulder and anchoring it to the upper arm bone to relieve front-of-shoulder pain while preserving biceps strength.

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What it is

Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy uses a small camera and instruments through two or three incisions under a centimeter.

The surgeon sees the entire joint on a screen and treats what is found.It is the platform for meniscus surgery, cartilage procedures, removing loose bodies, trimming cartilage flaps, releasing a tight kneecap and ligament reconstruction.

Performed by

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

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or call801-640-0000

Knee Arthroscopy

Who It Helps

Candidates have a mechanical problem, catching, locking, a loose fragment or a defined tear, that has not settled with therapy and time.Arthroscopy is not a treatment for arthritis alone. If your imaging shows mostly wear, your surgeon will say so and point you toward options that work.

Knee Arthroscopy

What to Expect

Outpatient surgery under general or spinal anesthesia, usually thirty to sixty minutes.Home the same day, typically walking on the leg.You see the photographs at your follow-up so you know exactly what was found and done.Done at an outpatient surgery center in Utah Valley, usually with a same-week follow-up at whichever clinic is closer to you. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Carlson, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Wallentine operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

Knee Arthroscopy

Recovery Timeline

For debridement and loose body removal, walking normally within days, desk work in a few days and full activity by four to six weeks. When tissue is repaired, follow that procedure page.Swelling is the main limiter early. Ice, elevation and early quadriceps exercises speed it along.

Milestones

Days 1 to 3Walking, ice, elevation

Week 1Desk work

Week 4 to 6Full activity

If repairedSee that procedure

Knee Arthroscopy

Risks and Considerations

Swelling, stiffness and temporary numbness near the incisions are common and temporary.Infection, blood clots and nerve injury are rare.The main disappointment risk is unrealistic expectations when arthritis is present, which is why we are direct about it beforehand.

Knee Arthroscopy

Your Surgeons

Dr. Christensen, Dr. Carlson, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Wallentine perform this procedure at Surgery Partners Provo, Spanish Fork Hospital, Central Utah Surgical Center, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and Intermountain Health Surgery Center Saratoga Springs.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Wallentine, MD

Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.

Knee Arthroscopy

Related Procedures and Conditions

Meniscus Repair

Cartilage Restoration

ACL Reconstruction

Torn Meniscus

Torn ACL

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or call801-640-0000

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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