Meniscal Tear Repair, Los Angeles, CA

A torn meniscus in the knee is one of the most common orthopaedic injuries, affecting patients of all ages and activity groups. There is an inner and outer meniscus in each knee, consisting of a “C” shaped piece of cartilage. It is attached at the outside margins to the top surface of your lower leg bone. Your menisci serve two very important functions. First, they act as “shock absorbers” that protect the underlying bone and cartilage and they help deepen the joint by way of their wedged shape, providing stability and support. Your meniscus helps protect your bones and cartilage from wear and tear which can eventually lead to arthritis, making a torn meniscus a very serious injury. For those who are suffering from a torn meniscus, Dr. Thomas Vangsness will help you heal and recover with personalized patient care.

A torn meniscus usually occurs while performing a twisting movement while the knee is bent or flexed, a common injury among athletes. Older patients can also tear their meniscus without major trauma as the meniscus cartilage weakens with age. For treatment immediately following a torn meniscus, Los Angeles orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Vangsness begins with RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. During the first 48 hours following the injury, RICE helps decrease the pain and swelling of inflammation. If you experience symptoms such as locking, clicking or pain, you may have to have surgery to help fix a torn meniscus. Dr. Vangsness performs a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopic surgery, using an arthroscope (small camera that is about the size of a pencil) to fix the torn meniscus cartilage by removing or trimming just the damaged portion.

For results and experience you can trust, contact Dr. Thomas Vangsness to schedule an appointment. Please call (323) 442-5800.

Treatment for a Torn Meniscus, Los Angeles, CA

A meniscus tear in the knee is one of the most common orthopaedic injuries affecting patients of all ages and activity groups. The meniscus has two very important functions. First, it acts as a “shock absorber” that protects the underlying bone and cartilage from wear and tear which can sometimes lead to arthritis. The meniscus also helps deepen the joint by way of its wedged shape, adding stability to the knee. A meniscus tear can come from an athlete performing a twisting movement while the knee is bent or flexed and often occurs in older patients as the surrounding cartilage weakens with age.

As an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Vangsness understands the seriousness and discomfort of a meniscus tear injury. For over 15 years, Dr. Vangsness has been helping patients regain strength and physical relief with orthopaedic surgery and reconstructive procedures, and he specializes in repairing meniscus injuries. For conservative treatment of a meniscus tear, Dr. Vangsness begins with RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Immediately following an injury, the RICE process helps decrease pain and swelling of inflammation. If pain or mechanical symptoms continue after the initial injury, surgical removal of the torn area of the meniscus may be necessary. For your procedure in Los Angeles, Dr. Vangsness uses state-of-the-art procedures and techniques to help ensure your comfort and safety. For meniscus tear injuries, Dr. Vangsness performs a minimally invasive surgery using an arthroscope (a very small camera about the size of a pencil) along with other very small tools to fix the torn meniscus cartilage by removing or trimming the damaged portion. For high-quality patient care and the physical relief you deserve, come see Dr. Vangsness of Los Angeles for your meniscus tear treatment.

For more information about meniscus tear treatment, contact Dr. Thomas Vangsness at (323) 442-5800.

Knee Joint Injury Repair, Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Thomas Vangsness is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in treating knee joint injuries, including a torn meniscus.

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for a Torn Meniscus

If you live in the Los Angeles and need arthroscopic knee surgery, come see orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Vangsness for the experience and results you deserve. Specializing in treating an assortment of injuries and various joint conditions, Dr. Vangsness is a leading orthopaedic surgeon for arthroscopic knee surgery. Each knee has an inner and outer meniscus, providing protection and stability of the knee. When a meniscus tear occurs, arthroscopic surgery may be needed for a healthy and strong recovery. Call today for your consultation appointment with Dr. Vangsness in Los Angeles.

Reconstructive Surgery for a Torn Meniscus

Dr. Thomas Vangsness is a trusted and highly recommended orthopaedic surgeon. Dedicated to assisting you in a successful and healthy recovery, Dr. Vangsness performs reconstructive surgery for torn meniscus injuries. A meniscus tear usually occurs while performing a twisting movement while the knee is bent or flexed, a common injury among athletes. For experience and the high-quality care you deserve, make Dr. Vangsness your orthopaedic surgeon, and start your road to better health.

Cartilage Repair Surgery

Dedicated to improving your health and helping you regain strength and mobility, Dr. Vangsness performs cartilage repair surgery to help rebuild and improve damaged joint surfaces. As articular cartilage breaks down and degenerates in a joint, it can cause pain, stiffness and swelling and often leads to arthritis. Make Los Angeles the place for your cartilage repair surgery and get on the road to better health with the experience and skill of Dr. Thomas Vangsness.

Meniscus Tear Surgery

Specializing in meniscus tear surgery, Dr. Vangsness helps hundreds of patients every year regain strength and physical relief with state-of-the-art orthopaedic procedures and treatments. Depending on the severity of your meniscus tear injury, Dr. Vangsness may recommend surgery. Your procedure is performed using an arthroscope, a very small camera that allows Dr. Vangsness to see deep inside the knee and repair the tear. Browse our site to read more about meniscus tear surgery and how Dr. Vangness can repair it.

If you have injured your knee, contact orthopaedic specialist Dr. Thomas Vangsness to schedule your consultation. Call us today at (323) 442-5800.

Dislocated Shoulder Treatment in Los Angeles, CA

Every year, Dr. Thomas Vangsness treats people with dislocated shoulder injuries. The shoulder can become dislocated due to a variety of traumatic circumstances. Dislocated shoulder injuries are common among athletes and people who work with their hands above their heads such as baseball pitchers, tennis players and construction workers. When the shoulder becomes dislocated, the head of the humerus comes out of its socket. A subluxation is when the head of the humerus partially slides out of the socket and slides back in without completely dislocating. Both of these unfortunate injuries can cause the ligaments, capsule and labrum to become injured, creating instability and pain.

Immediately following a dislocated shoulder injury, Dr. Vangsness strongly recommends conservative non-operative treatment, including physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff. If there are multiple dislocations or subluxations after the initial injury, Dr. Vangsness may suggest surgery to repair or tighten the capsule and ligaments that help hold the shoulder in place. Surgery for a dislocated shoulder is performed with a miniature lighted telescope (called an arthroscope), introducing small instruments into the shoulder joint through hollow cannulas. Dr. Vangsness will then insert miniature screws with attached sutures precisely into the socket edge of the shoulder, and proceed to reattach the torn ligaments and labrum to the socket. For personalized patient care and experience you can trust, come see Dr. Thomas Vangsness for dislocated shoulder injuries.

For more information about treatment for a dislocated shoulder, contact Dr. Thomas Vangsness at his Los Angeles practice by calling (323) 442-5800.

Cartilage Repair Surgery in Los Angeles, CA

Specializing in cartilage repair surgery, Dr. Thomas Vangsness is a leading orthopaedic surgeon in Los Angeles. Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones, providing both support and mobility to joints. As the articular cartilage surface breaks down and degenerates in a joint, it can often cause pain, stiffness and swelling, leading to arthritis and long-term limited movement. This is most commonly found in the hands and knees, with some 30+ million Americans affected. Dr. Vangsness offers state-of-the-art cartilage repair surgery incorporating the following treatment options: simple arthroscopic debridement, microfracture technique, Mosiacplasty/OATS Procedure, and Allograft Transplantation.

To help you rebuild strength and mobility, Dr. Vangsness performs cartilage repair surgery. Depending on the severity of your condition, localized defects in the cartilage can sometimes be treated with different surgeries to fill this defect in the knee. When joint surfaces become damaged, they continue to wear down and become more injured over time. Cartilage repair surgery can help relieve pain and will help protect the joint over time to slow down the progressive destruction of the joint surface. Dr. Vangsness prefers to provide a biologic surgical alternative to the damaged cartilage surface to help prolong mobility and reduce pain. For experience and results you can trust, discover the difference Dr. Vangsness can make for you.

If you are suffering from arthritis and want to learn more about cartilage repair surgery, please contact Dr. Thomas Vangsness by calling his Los Angeles practice at (323) 442-5800.