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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

ACL Reconstruction

Rebuilding a torn anterior cruciate ligament with a tendon graft, arthroscopically, to restore a stable knee for pivoting sports and active life.

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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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What it is

Meniscus Repair

The menisci are two C-shaped cartilage pads that cushion and stabilize the knee.

Tears in the outer, blood-supplied zone can be stitched and heal. Tears in the inner zone cannot, and the torn fragment is trimmed to a stable edge.Both are done arthroscopically. Your surgeon decides which during surgery based on tear location, pattern and tissue quality, and tells you beforehand what is likely.

Performed by

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

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

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

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

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

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

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

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

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Meniscus Repair

Who It Helps

Repair is preferred whenever the tear can heal, especially in younger patients and alongside ACL reconstruction.Trimming fits degenerative or inner-zone tears that catch, lock or swell despite therapy.Many degenerative tears in patients over fifty do as well with therapy as with surgery, and we say so.

Meniscus Repair

What to Expect

Outpatient arthroscopy, thirty to sixty minutes, under general anesthesia.Home the same day, walking with or without crutches depending on what was done.Dr. Hoopes may be the right first visit for older adults whose knee pain is mostly arthritis rather than a mechanical tear.Twisting injuries on singletrack and the slopes bring most meniscus tears to us; repair is favored whenever the tear can heal. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Carlson, Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Hoopes operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

Meniscus Repair

Recovery Timeline

After trimming, most patients walk normally within a week and return to sport in four to six weeks.After repair, weight bearing and bending are protected for about six weeks, and return to sport is typically four to six months.A repaired meniscus is worth the slower recovery: it preserves the cushion that protects the knee from arthritis.

Milestones

Week 1Walking after a trim

Week 6Repair: weight bearing

Week 6Trim: back to sport

Month 4 to 6Repair: back to sport

Meniscus Repair

Risks and Considerations

Repairs do not always heal, particularly in older tissue, and a second procedure may be needed.Stiffness, swelling and blood clots are uncommon risks for either procedure.Removing meniscal tissue increases long-term arthritis risk in proportion to how much is removed, which is why we trim conservatively.

Meniscus Repair

Your Surgeons

Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Carlson, Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Hoopes perform this procedure at Utah Valley Hospital, Spanish Fork Hospital, American Fork Hospital, Mountain View Hospital, Timpanogos Regional Hospital and Orem Community Hospital.

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. Taylor, MD

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

Dr. Carlson, MD

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

Meniscus Repair

Your Surgeons, Continued

Dr. Wallentine, MD

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

Dr. Hoopes, MD

Fellowship trained in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. Twelve years in practice.

Meniscus Repair

Related Procedures and Conditions

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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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