Complex Knee Care Denver CO | ACL Injury Englewood

WHERE PATIENTS GO WHEN ADVANCED EXPERTISE IS REQUIRED

Complex knees require complex solutions.

Dr. Jason L. Dragoo specializes in the evaluation and treatment of difficult knee problems—especially cases where previous surgery has failed, multiple structures are injured, alignment is contributing to instability or pain, or joint preservation is the goal. He has pioneered many techniques that allow treatment of difficult anatomic scenerios, that allow improved knee performance with less surgery.

WHEN THE USUAL ANSWER IS NOT ENOUGH

A comprehensive plan can matter as much as the operation.

Complex knee cases often require more than a single reconstruction. The treatment plan may need to address ligament stability, bone alignment, cartilage, meniscus, prior tunnels or hardware, and rehabilitation as one connected problem.

Revision ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction
Multi-ligament knee injuries
Malalignment and osteotomy
Cartilage and meniscal restoration
Joint preservation and reconstruction

WHY EXPERTISE MATTERS

The difficult cases are often have connected problems.

A failed ACL, or other ligament, reconstruction may involve more than a torn graft. A multi-ligament injury may require a coordinated reconstruction strategy. A recurrent instability problem can be influenced by the shape of the bones. Cartilage or meniscal damage can change the long-term goals of treatment.

Failed prior surgery

Determine why a previous reconstruction did not restore stability or function.

Multiple structures

Evaluate ligament patterns, meniscus, cartilage and the surrounding support of the knee.

Bone alignment

Identify when malalignment is contributing to instability, overload or failure.

Joint preservation

Consider restoration strategies that protect or restore cartilage, meniscus and native tissue.

A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY

Revision surgery starts with finding the reason the first surgery failed.

Dr Dragoo believes that revision ligament surgery should address the underlying causes of failure rather than simply repeat the original operation. Those causes can include tunnel position, graft choice, unrecognized ligament deficiency, meniscal problems, reinjury and malalignment.

FINDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM

Specialized treatment for difficult knee conditions.

The goal is not to choose a procedure first. It is to understand the complete mechanical and biological problem, then select the combination of treatments most likely to restore stability, preserve the joint and support long-term function.

01

Revision Ligament Reconstruction

When an ACL, PCL or other ligament reconstruction has failed, revision may require correction of tunnels, staged bone grafting, additional ligament reconstruction, meniscal treatment or realignment.

02

Multi-Ligament Knee Injuries

Complex injuries involving two or more major stabilizing structures require careful diagnosis, sequencing and reconstruction based on the individual injury pattern.

03

Malalignment & Osteotomy

Bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment can change the load across the knee and contribute to instability or failure. Osteotomy can be used to realign the limb when appropriate.

04

Cartilage Restoration

For selected focal cartilage injuries, restoration may include transplantation or other repair strategies designed to preserve the joint rather than simply remove damaged tissue.

05

Meniscal Preservation & Transplantation

Meniscal repair, root repair and transplantation can be important parts of a joint-preservation strategy when meniscal function has been compromised.

06

Advanced Knee Reconstruction

Complex cases may combine ligament reconstruction, cartilage or meniscal procedures, osteotomy and minimally invasive techniques in a single coordinated treatment plan.

ABOUT DR. DRAGOO

Complex knee care evolves through research.

Dr. Dragoo’s practice highlights a substantial publication record, pioneered surgical techniques and academic leadership. Dr. Dragoo has performed research and is recognized as an expert in the following areas of complex knee surgery:

Advanced knee repair and reconstruction

Ligament, tendon and meniscal reconstruction for complex injuries including ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, Posterior medial and lateral corner injuries.

Joint restoration

Cartilage and meniscal transplantation and tissue-preserving strategies.

Minimally invasive procedures

Arthroscopic approaches for diagnosis and treatment when appropriate to decrease invasiveness of the procedure.

Biologics and regenerative medicine

A major area of academic and clinical focus that can complement a broader knee treatment strategy.

NEXT STEPS

When your knee is complicated, start with a comprehensive evaluation.

Request an appointment with Dr. Dragoo’s to review your diagnosis, prior surgeries, imaging, goals and the full range of reconstructive and joint-preservation options.

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