Valentine Brings Specialized Knee Procedure to LAW
Recently, Matthew T. Valentine, MD, with Hattiesburg Clinic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine performed a patellofemoral joint arthroplasty, the first-of-its-kind procedure to be performed at Hattiesburg Clinic Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center.
The knee is made of three compartments: the medial compartment (the inside part of the knee), the lateral compartment (the outside part of the knee) and the patellofemoral compartment (the front of the knee between the patella and femur). With a traditional total knee replacement, damaged bone and cartilage in all compartments are replaced with metal and plastic components. A patellofemoral joint arthroplasty is a type of partial knee replacement in which only the damaged portion of the front of the knee between the patella and femur—the patellofemoral compartment—is replaced.
“With a Patellofemoral Joint Arthroplasty, essentially what we’re doing is replacing the articulation between the undersurface of the kneecap—the patella—and the adjacent part of the femur where your kneecap kind of forms the joint,” Dr. Valentine said.
This procedure is minimally invasive, allowing for quick recovery times.
A patellofemoral joint arthroplasty procedure is an option for patients with severe arthritis or cartilage damage in the patellofemoral joint and patients who continue to experience pain after other treatments like physical therapy, bracing and injections. This kind of procedure is typically recommended for younger, more active patients who value the preservation of natural knee movement.
“When you’re doing a total knee [replacement], you’re usually cutting the ACL, you’re taking all the meniscus out and then replacing the knee,” Valentine said. “With the patellofemoral joint arthroplasty, you’re not taking any of that stuff … so it’s much more natural.”
In the United States, patellofemoral joint arthroplasty only accounts for approximately 1-3% of knee arthroplasties. This procedure requires extensive, subspecialized training, even among subspecialists.
“It’s not something you do every day. You get to help someone who has a problem that not a lot of people can fix,” Valentine said. “Knowing that I got to help someone who had suffered for so long is really rewarding.”
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About Hattiesburg Clinic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine:
Hattiesburg Clinic Orthopaedics treats a spectrum of orthopaedic conditions and diseases including musculoskeletal injuries, fractures and complex total joint reconstructions.
In addition, the clinic also provides surgical treatments for arthritis including joint replacement, surgery for traumatic injuries and general sports medicine.
Arthroscopic techniques are routinely utilized in the management of orthopaedic problems and close coordination with Hattiesburg Clinic Physical Therapy departments enhance outpatient treatment and early rehabilitation.
We offer comprehensive services, including primary care, sports medicine, orthopaedic surgery and physical therapy. Additionally, our facility includes a connected 14,310-square-foot indoor sports performance center and a variety of training systems.
About Hattiesburg Clinic Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center:
Lowery A. Woodall (LAW) Outpatient Surgery Center has been providing outpatient services to South Mississippi residents since 1984.
The care we provide to our patients is a top priority. All LAW registered nurse staff members are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), to perform life-saving actions if complications arise. All staff is Basic Life Support (BLS) certified. We proactively attempt to contact our patients by phone within 24 business hours post discharge to assist them in communicating any necessary needs to their physician. We implement best practices by following national guidelines for hand hygiene and infection prevention. LAW provides reports yearly to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety network to ensure we are maintaining quality standards of care.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, patient-centered health care in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Our goal is to be the health care provider of choice in the communities we serve.
About Hattiesburg Clinic:
Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic. Founded in 1963, Hattiesburg Clinic has expanded to include over 450 physicians and providers, along with 2,500 employees, serving patients across more than 17 counties in Mississippi. Hattiesburg Clinic is committed to being the health care provider of choice in the communities we serve.
