Stronger knees ahead

When Tyler Arbogast went to see an orthopedic surgeon about a torn meniscus in his knee, the 21-year-old wasn’t thinking about how treatment might impact his knees later in life.

“I just needed to get back to work,” says Arbogast, who injured his knee in a motorcycle accident. Although he wasn’t in pain, the torn meniscus was causing his knee to lock up and limiting his ability at work in a tire shop. He also worried about what could happen if he were out hunting with his family. “Having it lock up in a remote place could potentially be bad, and I didn’t want that to happen.”

While Arbogast just wanted fast relief, his orthopedic surgeon was making a more complex calculation between short-term benefit and long-term risks.

“The fastest way to fix a meniscus tear can cause more problems down the road,” says Nicholas Stockwell, DO, an orthopedic surgeon with AdventHealth Castle Rock. “Although patients are focused on the immediate problem, it’s our job to consider the long-term implications of treatment.”

Understanding the Meniscus Dilemma

The meniscus is a critical structure in the knee joint, acting as a shock absorber to protect cartilage. Meniscus tears are among the most common orthopedic injuries, and meniscus surgery is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic procedures in the U.S. However, the choice between removing the damaged portion (meniscectomy) and repairing the tear can have a significant impact on a patient’s long-term joint health.

For decades, the most common approach has been a meniscectomy, which involves removing the damaged portion of the meniscus. This procedure has a much faster recovery — often allowing patients to walk within 24 hours — but it also increases the risk of osteoarthritis and the need for knee replacement surgery later in life.

In contrast, a meniscus repair, in which the torn meniscus is stitched back together, offers better long-term knee health but requires a significantly longer recovery period. Patients often need to keep weight off the knee for at least six weeks — a challenge for many adults.

However, orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Stockwell are increasingly opting to repair rather than partially remove the torn meniscus.

“I’m of the camp to save the meniscus whenever we can,” Dr. Stockwell says. “Whether the patient is 20 or 60, I’m going in with a plan to fix the tear if possible because removing all or part of the meniscus can lead to arthritis in the knee sooner than expected.”

Fortunately, advancements in regenerative medicine, including the use of bone marrow and other biological agents, are speeding up recovery times, making meniscus repair a more viable option for patients of all ages.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 15-20 years,” Dr. Stockwell says.

A Long-Term Solution

Those advancements made it possible to offer Arbogast a win-win solution: meniscus repair without a long recovery that got him back to work quickly without jeopardizing his long-term knee health. Dr. Stockwell repaired Arbogast’s meniscus tear in early March. After two weeks of non-weight-bearing restrictions, Arbogast began walking with the help of a brace and was cleared to work eight weeks after his surgery.

“Right now, it feels great,” Arbogast says. “I can close and open it all the way, and it doesn’t lock out. It’s been pretty great.”

3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Injury

If you’re looking to improve your heath, increase your athletic ability and prevent orthopedic injuries no matter your age, you might need to make a few changes to your workouts, says Nicholas Stockwell, DO, an orthopedic surgeon at AdventHealth Castle Rock. Here are three commonly overlooked types of training that are essential to injury prevention:

• Nervous system: Warming up properly prepares both your muscles and nervous system for the demands of exercise, reducing your risk of injury. “Your nervous system needs to be ready for the uncertainty of dynamic or explosive movements,” Dr. Stockwell says.
• Neuromuscular: Exercises that improve your mind-muscle connection (like plyometrics) can boost your agility, balance, and joint stability — all essential for staying active and injury-free.
• Strength: Building a strong core isn’t just about abs — it can protect your knees, support your lower back, and improve your overall stability. “A weak core may be the root cause of your knee or lower back pain,” Dr. Stockwell says.

Douglas County Sports Medicine Providers

Whether your DCSD student athlete has experienced a new injury or is limited by pain, we’ll work with your family toward recovery, creating a personalized care plan for the body, mind and spirit.

Schedule an appointment with AdventHealth Medical Group Orthopedics at Castle Rock by calling Call720-455-3775. Please select “option 1” for scheduling, then select “option 1” again if you are a DCSD trainer or athlete.

Wrist Protection

Guard against wrist fractures during falls.

One in three Colorado adults over the age of 65 fall each year, with nearly 40%needing medical care, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And wrist fractures are at the top of the list.

“I see referrals from the ER weekly,” says Rajshri Bolson, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at AdventHealth Castle Rock who specializes in injuries to the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. “You trip over something or get tangled in the dog’s leash and as you fall, you put out your arms to catch yourself and end up fracturing your wrist.”

The best way to guard against wrist fractures is to prevent the fall in the first place and to strengthen your bones. Luckily, strength training does both, even in your 60s and beyond, Dr. Bolson says. “Strength training builds bone density, and it helps build a stronger core and balance, which help prevent falls.”