Comprehensive Knee Evaluation

If you’re an athlete or have risk factors for osteoarthritis and other conditions that damage your knee joint, schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation at Reflex Knee Specialists. The experts provide physical exams, dynamic ultrasound testing, and treatment services on-site to address a wide range of knee problems. They also offer preventive evaluations to identify early warning signs of knee joint damage. Call the office in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; or Tempe, Arizona, to schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation or book an appointment online today.

What is a comprehensive knee evaluation?

A comprehensive knee evaluation is a service available at Reflex Knee Specialists that focus on identifying underlying injuries or diseases that can interfere with your knee joint's function and overall mobility.

The team offers a physical exam, diagnostic knee ultrasound, standing X-rays, and a customized treatment plan as part of a comprehensive knee evaluation. As a preventive tool, a comprehensive knee evaluation can assess your risk of chronic issues like osteoarthritis before you have symptoms. 

Early identification of knee problems allows you to make lifestyle changes and improve your nutrition to avoid knee pain and disability.

When should I schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation?

You should contact Reflex Knee Specialists to schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation if you have persistent symptoms that affect your knee joint’s function. These symptoms can include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Loss of range of motion

Preventive knee evaluations are available for those, such as manual laborers and athletes, who are at increased risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Reflex Knee Specialists also encourage routine knee evaluations for people with a family history of osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.

What happens during a comprehensive knee evaluation?

During your comprehensive knee evaluation at Reflex Knee Specialists, your provider will review your medical and surgical history, including all prior knee injuries and treatments.  Your provider will also discuss your activity limitations and goals. A physical exam will be performed to test the range of motion, alignment, and strength of your knee, along with determining if there are areas of tenderness or discomfort.  

One thing that sets Reflex providers apart is the use of ultrasound to assess the inner structures of your knee joint. During this noninvasive diagnostic ultrasound, your provider can identify inflammation by looking at the lining of the joint (synovium) and by finding an abnormal accumulation of joint (synovial) fluid. Ultrasound is also able to detect a meniscus injury, ligament or tendon strains, the presence of a cyst, and other issues that affect your knee health.  One of the most important findings Reflex providers can detect with ultrasound is cartilage damage in its earliest stages when treatments are most effective.  Ultrasound allows our providers to pinpoint the cause of your knee pain.

After conducting the evaluation, your provider will create a customized care plan to relieve your symptoms and increase your activity levels, all without surgery. Your plan may include the following:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments
• Joint Fluid Therapy or Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic Acid Treatments)
• Ozone Treatments
• Bracing (to improve alignment and offload a damaged area of the knee)
• Physical therapy
• Exercise and stretches to optimize the mechanics of knee motion

Your provider can also recommend dietary supplements and lifestyle changes to help keep your knee joints healthy. If you’re an athlete, the team provides resources to prevent additional injuries and improve your performance in your chosen sport.

To schedule, a comprehensive knee evaluation with Reflex Knee Specialists, call or book an appointment online today.