Knee Pain and Injury

UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons treat any condition or injury that causes knee pain, including a torn meniscus, osteoarthritis, ACL tear, and MCL tear.
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For Orthopedics and Rehabilitation related requests:
1-319-356-2223
For all other requests:
1-800-777-8442

Knee pain is a common problem that can be a result of an injury, a genetic or structural condition, or a condition that has developed over time such as osteoarthritis. 

Our expert care team treats people of all ages who are experiencing knee pain, which means we can quickly identify the cause of your pain and design the best plan for getting you back to the life you love. 

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to see one of our specialists: 

  • Significant knee pain, especially if from an injury or that doesn’t go away over time  

  • Instability or a feeling of your knee “giving out”  

  • Inability to straighten your knee

  • A snapping, crunching, or popping sound in your knee,  

  • Swelling of the knee, joint or calf area 

  • Redness or warmth in the knee area

These symptoms, no matter how mild, are signs that something is wrong with your knee joint. And if left untreated, knee problems can worsen and may put you at risk of lasting issues.  

University of Iowa Health Care’s orthopedic experts treat many conditions and injuries that cause knee pain. We routinely help people who: 

  • Have persistent or acute knee pain from a variety of causes  

  • Have sports- or exercise-related injuries such as a dislocated knee, torn meniscus, or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear 

  • Have moderate to advanced osteoarthritis and are interested in a knee replacement or nonsurgical options such as regenerative medicine to treat pain associated with severe joint damage 

  • Require advanced care such as meniscus transplant, cartilage repair, or osteotomy 

Regardless of your age or activity level, you can count on our team for treatments that help you feel and function better.  

Advanced care and treatments for complex knee problems

Our orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and advanced practice providers specialize in common to complex knee conditions and offer advanced specialty care as well as several procedures that aren’t available at every medical center. In many cases, these services and procedures are an effective alternative for people with limited treatment options. 

Specialty clinics for knee conditions

UI Health Care is proud to offer unique services such as our:

Founded in research for the unique challenges of these populations, these clinics offer a team-based approach to your care.

Advanced Surgical Procedures

In addition to expert care for common procedures such as meniscal tear and ACL reconstruction, UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons are the go-to experts in advanced surgical procedures and techniques.

Cartilage regeneration and repair

When your knee cartilage is damaged by an injury or mild arthritis, it can’t heal by itself (it doesn’t have a direct blood supply). But thanks to specialized surgical techniques—including osteochondral allograft transplants and microfracture surgery—we can repair or restore small areas of cartilage.  

Cartilage repair is usually reserved for people under 40 years old who want to stay active but are too young for a knee replacement. 

 

Knee osteotomy

This procedure is an option for some people with early osteoarthritis who have joint damage on one side of the knee.  

During an osteotomy, your surgeon cuts and reshapes one of the two bones that make up your knee joint. This shifts your body weight away from the damaged side of the knee to the healthy side of the knee.  

It can improve your pain and help your knee function much better. 

 

Meniscus transplant

The meniscus is a  type of cartilage that helps cushion and stabilize your knee joint. Any damage to the meniscus can cause pain and, eventually, osteoarthritis. 

You may be eligible for a meniscus transplant if: 

  • You're active 

  • You're under 40 years old 

  • Most of or all your meniscus is severely damaged or has already been removed 

During this procedure, we replace your meniscus with tissue from a donor. For many people, a meniscus transplant significantly reduces pain and slows (or stops) arthritis progression. 

A national leader in knee research

Our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians are also researchers. Through ongoing studies, we aim to improve long-term outcomes among people treated for knee pain or injuries. 

For example, we lead studies to confirm the safety and efficacy of different nonsurgical and surgical  treatments and techniques. We also analyze data to determine if certain treatments are better suited for different people based on their age, condition, and other factors. 

A federally funded collaboration

We’re among a handful of U.S. medical centers selected to take part in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Knee Group. 

The MOON Knee Group is a research network funded by the National Institutes of Health. Its members, including UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons, have studied ACL injuries and treatment outcomes for decades.  

Together, our efforts have uncovered the benefits and risks of various ACL treatments. We’ve helped inform national and international treatment guidelines, such as: 

  • The best ligament graft choices to use for young athletes during ACL reconstruction surgery 

  • Physical therapy and training techniques that are most likely to prevent additional ACL tears 

  • Factors that help predict whether patients will need a second ACL surgery 

A team approach to knee care

Many people with knee problems require care from more than one specialist.  

If an underlying condition causes your knee pain, you might also need to see a provider who specializes in that condition. Or, if you’ve torn one of your knee ligaments, you might partner with experts who can repair it and help you recover. 

Our team includes:  

  • Orthopedic surgeons who perform knee replacement and reconstruction surgeries, as well as common to advanced surgical care for activity-related injuries  

  • Physical therapists who can help you improve knee pain, recover from surgery, or increase strength and function after an injury 

  • Sports medicine physicians who offer nonsurgical treatments such as steroid injections and regenerative medicine therapies  

  • Experts in advanced specialty care for female athletes, endurance athletes, and bariatric joint replacement patients  

  • Rheumatologists who specialize in treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which are common causes of knee pain 

Knee pain and injury tests and treatments

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery 

Arthroscopic knee surgery (knee arthroscopy) 

Cartilage repair 

Cartilage resurfacing 

Knee replacement 

Knee ultrasound 

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) surgery 

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) surgery 

Meniscectomy 

Meniscus surgery 

Meniscus transplant 

MRI scan 

Osteotomy 

Other musculoskeletal treatments

Partial knee replacement 

Patella (kneecap) stabilization 

 

Physical medicine and rehabilitation 

Physical therapy 

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) 

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) surgery 

Sports medicine 

Steroid injection 

Tenex procedure 

Knee pain and injury conditions treated

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear

Avulsion injury 

Baker’s Cyst 

Bursitis 

Compartment Syndrome/Exertional 

Dislocated knee 

Dislocated kneecap 

Hamstring tear 

Knee instability 

Knee malalignment 

Knee pain 

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear 

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear 

Osteoarthritis 

Osteochondritis dissecans 

Osteochondroma 

Patella tendonitis 

Patella tendon tear

Patella bipartite 

Patella dislocation 

Patellofemoral (PF) instability 

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear 

Saphenous Nerve Entrapment 

Subluxation, knee 

Tendonitis, knee 

Torn meniscus (meniscus tear) 

Our Care Team

Matthew J. Bollier, MD, FAOA portrait

Matthew J.
Bollier
MD, FAOA

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.59 out of 5 (1,215 ratings)
Kyle Duchman, MD portrait

Kyle
Duchman
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (731 ratings)
Dallas A. Vanorny, MD, PhD portrait

Dallas A.
Vanorny
MD, PhD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.73 out of 5 (65 ratings)
Robert W. Westermann, MD portrait

Robert W.
Westermann
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.66 out of 5 (996 ratings)
Brian Wolf, MD, MS portrait

Brian
Wolf
MD, MS

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.70 out of 5 (895 ratings)
Ashlee L. Enzinger, MD, FAAP, CAQSM portrait

Ashlee L.
Enzinger
MD, FAAP, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.62 out of 5 (383 ratings)
Mederic M. Hall, MD portrait

Mederic M.
Hall
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.63 out of 5 (575 ratings)
Ryan Kruse, MD portrait

Ryan
Kruse
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.86 out of 5 (548 ratings)
Andy Peterson, MD, MSPH portrait

Andy
Peterson
MD, MSPH

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.54 out of 5 (1,101 ratings)
Timothy W. Thomsen, MD portrait

Timothy W.
Thomsen
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (576 ratings)
Terese Whipple, MD portrait

Terese
Whipple
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Britt Marcussen, MD portrait

Britt
Marcussen
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.63 out of 5 (956 ratings)
Tyler Slayman, MD portrait

Tyler
Slayman
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (1,416 ratings)
Rahul M. Bijlani, MD portrait

Rahul M.
Bijlani
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.95 out of 5 (98 ratings)
Than Pham, DO, PharmD portrait

Than
Pham
DO, PharmD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (478 ratings)
Adeeb Oweidat, MD, DESAIC portrait

Adeeb
Oweidat
MD, DESAIC

  • Anesthesia
Lisa Woodroffe, MD, CAQSM portrait

Lisa
Woodroffe
MD, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.72 out of 5 (516 ratings)
Laura Conner, MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES portrait

Laura
Conner
MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.88 out of 5 (533 ratings)
Natalie Hays, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Natalie
Hays
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.78 out of 5 (697 ratings)
Olivia R. Johnson, MPAS, PA-C, RD portrait

Olivia R.
Johnson
MPAS, PA-C, RD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (214 ratings)
Laura Magrane, MPAS, PA-C, MAT portrait

Laura
Magrane
MPAS, PA-C, MAT

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (677 ratings)
Courtney Seffker, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Courtney
Seffker
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.71 out of 5 (335 ratings)
Jill Kain, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C portrait

Jill
Kain
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.68 out of 5 (364 ratings)
Elayne Pregon, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C portrait

Elayne
Pregon
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.82 out of 5 (502 ratings)
Tyler Johnston, PT, DPT, SCS portrait

Tyler
Johnston
PT, DPT, SCS

Jason Willer, PT, MPT portrait

Jason
Willer
PT, MPT

  • Rehabilitation Therapies
Anna Lockling, PTA, ATC/L portrait

Anna
Lockling
PTA, ATC/L

Need help choosing a knee specialist?

Call UI Health Care for help finding an orthopedic expert who specializes in knee pain and injuries. We can find out what’s causing your symptoms, provide a second opinion, or treat your condition.
Call 1-319-356-2223 Request an appointment Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Orthopedic Clinic
John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Lower Level, Elevator I
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
Orthopedic Clinic
In Medical Center
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
UI Sports Medicine
Level 1
1-319-384-7070
Clinic
UI Health Care Sports Medicine facility exterior photo
In Iowa City, Prairie Meadow Drive
2701 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Iowa River Landing - Floor 5
Fifth Floor
1-319-467-2000
Clinic
Lobby photo of the fifth floor of Iowa River Landing
In Iowa River Landing
105 East 9th Street, Coralville, IA 52241
Sports Medicine - Cedar Rapids
Suite 2300
1-319-731-1430
Clinic
Interior front desk of the new sports medicine location
In Cedar Rapids, 10th Street SE
411 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

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