Knee Care and Surgery

Your knees are the largest joints in your body and the most commonly injured. They appear to only bend and straighten, but their mechanics are more complex than that — your knee rotates, translates, slides, and rolls every time you take a step. That complexity is why knee injuries are often misdiagnosed, and why the right surgeon makes a difference.

Dr. Steven Chudik is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon and a pioneer in arthroscopic knee surgery. He has developed multiple knee techniques currently in use by surgeons worldwide, including a growth-plate-sparing pediatric ACL reconstruction and a tunnelless approach to revision ACL reconstruction. He holds eight orthopaedic patents and performs over 500 procedures annually.

Common Knee Problems

Dr. Chudik treats the full range of knee conditions. The most common problems fall into a few clinical categories.

Arthritis and Joint Surface Conditions

Ligament Injuries

Meniscus, Cartilage, and Joint Surface Injuries

Tendon Injuries

Fractures and Traumatic Injuries

Joint Dislocations and Instability

Other Knee Disorders

See all knee conditions Dr. Chudik treats →

Common Knee Treatments and Procedures

Treatment plans are individualized. Many knee conditions respond to non-surgical care — physical therapy, activity modification, injections, bracing. When surgery is indicated, Dr. Chudik uses arthroscopic techniques whenever the clinical situation allows.

Featured procedures include:

See all knee procedures Dr. Chudik performs →

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical approach performed through small incisions using a miniature camera and specialized instruments to diagnose and treat injuries inside the joint. Dr. Chudik has developed multiple arthroscopic knee techniques, instruments, and implants to address limitations he encountered in existing approaches — including a tunnelless ACL reconstruction that preserves bone stock for future revisions and a growth-plate-sparing procedure that allows ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients.

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopy reduces disruption to surrounding soft tissues, minimizes post-operative pain and scarring, and supports faster return to function. Not every knee injury is best treated arthroscopically. Some fractures and complex reconstructions require open or combined approaches, and surgical candidacy is determined after thorough clinical evaluation.

When Surgery Is Recommended

Surgery is not the first option for most knee problems. Decisions are made after reviewing clinical history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, response to conservative treatment, and functional goals. Physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, injections, and anti-inflammatory medication are appropriate starting points for many conditions.

Timely evaluation matters. If knee symptoms — pain, swelling, stiffness, instability, locking, or inability to bear weight — persist for more than a week or worsen despite rest and conservative care, an evaluation is warranted. Delayed diagnosis is a common reason small meniscus tears become larger, ligament injuries destabilize the joint, and cartilage damage progresses to arthritis.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Chudik for Knee Care

Dr. Chudik has performed arthroscopic knee surgery for more than twenty years, with a clinical focus on ligament reconstruction, meniscal preservation, cartilage restoration, and revision procedures. He has developed surgical techniques now used by other surgeons internationally, including his growth-plate-sparing pediatric ACL reconstruction and his tunnelless revision ACL approach. He is a US News & World Report Top Doctor in orthopaedics.

Clinically, that track record translates to experience with the cases general orthopaedic practices refer out: pediatric ligament injuries, failed prior ACL reconstructions, multi-ligament knee dislocations, complex cartilage defects, and revision knee replacement.

Knee Care in the Chicago Area

Dr. Chudik sees patients at four offices across the western Chicago suburbs: Westmont, Western Springs, Hinsdale, and Downers Grove. The Westmont office houses the Sports Medicine Injury Clinic with on-site high-field MRI and X-ray imaging, so in many cases diagnostic studies can be completed the same day as your consultation.

Request a Knee Evaluation

If knee pain, instability, or loss of function is interfering with your life, schedule an evaluation. Call 630-324-0402 or request an appointment online. For work-related knee injuries, ask for the workers’ compensation coordinator.

Learn More About the Knee