An orthopedic surgeon evaluates problems involving the bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments, and other structures of the knee. Seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not mean you automatically need surgery.
Knee Pain Treatment in Tampa, FL
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon providing evaluation and treatment for knee arthritis, meniscus tears, ACL injuries, kneecap pain, and other knee conditions in Tampa, Florida.
KNEE CARE IN TAMPA
SunCare Orthopaedics evaluates and treats knee pain in Tampa caused by conditions including arthritis, meniscus tears, ACL injuries, and kneecap problems. Treatment is based on the diagnosis and may begin with bracing, therapy, activity modification, or injections before surgery is considered.
UNDERSTANDING KNEE PAIN
The same symptom can come from very different knee problems.
Knee pain is not a diagnosis. The first step is determining which structure is causing the problem and why.
Your knee contains cartilage, menisci, ligaments, tendons, the kneecap, and the joint surfaces of the thighbone and shinbone. Problems involving these structures can create similar symptoms while requiring very different treatment.
At SunCare Orthopaedics, Dr. Pullen considers how the pain started, where it is located, what movements make it worse, your examination findings, and available imaging before recommending treatment.
Diagnosis comes before treatment.
Your symptoms, examination, activity level, and imaging are considered together.
CONDITIONS WE EVALUATE
Common causes of knee pain
These are some of the knee conditions evaluated and treated at SunCare Orthopaedics in Tampa.
Knee Arthritis
Arthritis can cause progressive pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced movement, and difficulty with walking, standing, or stairs.
Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears may happen during a twisting injury or develop gradually and can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, catching, or locking.
ACL Injuries
ACL injuries can occur during pivoting, cutting, landing, or sports-related movements and may cause instability or a feeling that the knee gives way.
Kneecap Pain
Pain around or behind the kneecap may become noticeable with stairs, squatting, exercise, or prolonged sitting.
WHEN TO SEE A KNEE DOCTOR
When knee pain begins changing how you move
Some temporary soreness improves with rest and activity changes. Persistent or recurring knee symptoms deserve a closer look when they begin affecting normal function.
Pain when walking or standing
Pain going up or down stairs
Recurring swelling or stiffness
Catching or locking inside the knee
A knee that feels unstable or gives way
Pain after twisting or a sports injury
Reduced range of motion
YOUR KNEE EVALUATION
A clear process from symptoms to treatment
Dr. Pullen evaluates the complete clinical picture so you understand what is causing the problem and what options are reasonable.
STEP 1
Your History
Discuss when the pain started, where you feel it, previous injuries, activities that aggravate it, and treatment you have already tried.
STEP 2
Physical Examination
The knee is examined for motion, tenderness, swelling, strength, stability, and movements that reproduce symptoms.
STEP 3
Imaging Review
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging and explains why X-rays or an MRI may be useful when additional information is needed.
STEP 4
Your Treatment Plan
The diagnosis is explained in plain language and you discuss the treatment options that make sense for your condition.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Nonsurgical care first when it has a real chance of helping
Surgery is not the starting point for every painful knee. Treatment depends on what is causing the problem, how severe it is, and how much it is affecting your life.
FIRST PATH
Nonsurgical Knee Treatment
When conservative care has a reasonable chance of helping, treatment may begin without an operation.
Activity modification
Physical therapy coordination
Knee bracing when appropriate
Cortisone injections when appropriate
Viscosupplementation when appropriate
WHEN NEEDED
Surgical Knee Treatment
If conservative care will not adequately address the condition, Dr. Pullen explains the surgical option before you make a decision.
Why surgery is being recommended
What the procedure involves
What recovery may involve
Realistic treatment expectations
Follow-up with the same surgeon
Total & Partial Knee Replacement
Available for appropriate patients when conservative care is no longer enough.
ADVANCED KNEE ARTHRITIS
Arthritis does not automatically mean knee replacement.
Many patients with knee arthritis can begin with nonsurgical care.
Joint replacement becomes part of the discussion when arthritis has progressed, symptoms are significantly affecting everyday function, and appropriate conservative treatment is no longer providing enough benefit.
Dr. Phillip A. Pullen performs total and partial knee replacement for appropriate patients.
- Severity of pain and stiffness
- Effect on walking and daily activities
- Examination and imaging findings
- Response to previous nonsurgical treatment
- Your goals and overall health
YOUR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Understand the problem before deciding what to do about it.
At SunCare Orthopaedics, the goal is to give you a clear understanding of the diagnosis, your treatment options, and what you can realistically expect.
Phillip A. Pullen, DO
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
01
Personal Imaging Review
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging.
02
Plain-Language Diagnosis
Understand what is actually causing your symptoms.
03
Conservative-First Care
Nonsurgical treatment is considered when appropriate.
04
Continuity After Surgery
Your surgeon sees you at postoperative visits.
TAMPA ORTHOPEDIC CARE
Schedule a knee evaluation in Tampa
You do not need to diagnose your knee problem before making an appointment. Tell our team what you are experiencing and schedule an orthopedic evaluation.
SunCare Orthopaedics
6911 Pistol Range Rd, Suite 103
Tampa, FL 33635
Call
Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed weekends
Not sure what is causing your knee pain?
Describe your symptoms to the SunCare Orthopaedics team and arrange the appropriate orthopedic evaluation.
Some knee symptoms may require urgent medical evaluation.
Seek prompt medical care after a major traumatic injury, with an obvious deformity, severe symptoms that prevent safe weight bearing, or a hot and significantly swollen joint accompanied by fever or acute illness.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Knee Pain FAQs
Answers to common questions about knee pain evaluation and treatment at SunCare Orthopaedics in Tampa.
SunCare Orthopaedics evaluates and treats knee conditions including arthritis, meniscus tears, ACL injuries, and kneecap pain.
Not necessarily. Imaging needs depend on your symptoms, examination findings, injury history, and what information is needed to determine the diagnosis. Dr. Pullen reviews available imaging personally and explains why additional X-rays or an MRI may be recommended.
No. Treatment depends on the nature of the tear, symptoms, examination findings, imaging when needed, activity level, and whether there are mechanical symptoms such as catching or locking.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include activity modification, physical therapy coordination, bracing, cortisone injections, or viscosupplementation.
Yes. Knee arthritis does not automatically require surgery. Nonsurgical treatment may be appropriate depending on the severity of the arthritis, symptoms, function, and other individual factors.
Joint replacement can become an option when arthritis significantly affects function and appropriate nonsurgical treatment is no longer providing enough benefit.
Yes. Phillip A. Pullen, DO performs total and partial knee replacement for appropriate patients when joint replacement is determined to be the appropriate treatment.
Dr. Pullen reviews your history, examines the knee, and personally reviews available imaging. If more imaging is needed, he explains why. The diagnosis and treatment options are then discussed in plain language.
SunCare Orthopaedics is located at 8370 W Hillsborough Ave, Suite 103, Tampa, FL 33615. Call (813) 515-0840 to schedule an orthopedic knee evaluation.
