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Meniscus Tears and Repairs

A board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic knee surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Steven Chudik is renowned for his arthroscopic knee expertise and innovative procedures that reduce surgical trauma, speed recovery and yield excellent outcomes.

Through his research, Dr. Chudik investigates and pioneers advanced and novel arthroscopic procedures, instruments and implants that have forever changed patients’ lives. Never content to settle for what’s always been done for orthopaedic knee care, Dr. Chudik prides himself on providing individualized care and developing a plan that is right for each patient. By taking this approach for the past 20 years Dr. Chudik has developed minimally invasive surgical techniques and instruments for the repair of knee menicus and related cartilage and ligament injuries, as well as injury-specifc rehab programs and return to sports protocols and testing. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries and Dr. Chudik specializes in nonoperative and arthroscopic treatment of meniscus tears. Preserving meniscal tissue and function is the highest priority.

Meniscus and Knee Expertise

1. Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
2. Arthroscopic Meniscus Transplant
3. Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy
4. Arthroscopic Meniscal Root Repair
5. Arthroscopic Anatomic ACL Reconstruction
6. Complex Arthroscopic Revision ACL Reconstruction (developed by Dr. Chudik)
7. Arthroscopic Pediatric (growth plate sparing) ACL reconstruction (developed by Dr. Chudik)
8. Arthroscopic Tunnelless Ligament Reconstruction (under development by Dr. Chudik)
9.  Arthroscopic debridement of arthritis
10. Total knee arthroplasty (joint replacement)

Individualized Treatment and Rehabilitation

Because no two people and no two injuries are alike, Dr. Steven Chudik uses his expertise to develop and provide individualized care and recovery plans for his patients. This customized attention explains why patients travel to have Dr. Chudik care for their knee conditions and injuries, especially those with meniscus tears, meniscal root tears, ACL tears combined with meniscus tears, and failed surgeries involving the menicus and ACL.

Frequently Asked Questions

First Question

Answer to the Question

Shoulder Research and Developments
Miscelleneous Research and Developments

Testimonials and Patient Stories

“Dr. Chudik is a great surgeon. He did surgery on my shoulder. He is knowledgeable, professional, caring and patient. He spends the time to explain what he is going to do and answers all your question. His PA Meagan also is great.”

5-Star

“Excellent personalized service. Excellent surgeon. No problems after shoulder surgery. Excellent medical staff as well.”

5-Star

“So grateful I did 2nd opinion with Dr. Chudik. He recommended the least invasive approach with therapy 1st which resolved my frozen shoulder my day to day is so much better”

5-Star

“I went through 3 surgeries before a friend referred me to Dr. Chudik. He is a great surgeon and also with his therapy protocol I have gotten much better than I did after previous surgeries. I would refer anyone with a shoulder injury to him. He definitely treated like a person and not just an account.”

5-Star

“Dr. Chudik and his team have given me wonderful care. Over the past 2 years I’ve had 3 surgeries and 10 months on disability.  I tore both rotator cuffs and Dr. Chudik repaired another surgeon’s repair that didn’t heal properly. My experience with Dr. Chudik and his staff has been wonderful. They took the time to talk with me, explain my options, and help me decide a plan of action. I would recommend him to anyone!”

5-Star

“It has been 1 year since my shoulder surgery (bicep tendon repair) and I am virtually pain free. The rehab was as expected and continuous exercise and strengthening is equally as important as the initial physical therapy. This was my fourth surgery (different areas not the shoulder) and has been by far the most successful. Dr. Chudik did a great job every step of the way and I would not hesitate to see him again if needed.”

5-Star

“Dr. Steven Chudik performed rotator cuff and bicep repair on both of my arms one year apart.  The surgical experiences were positive and a sign of reassurance to me was the respect his staff and the hospital staff have for Dr. Chudik.  His protocol for therapy may differ from other doctors because he expects his patients to start therapy three days after surgery.  I seem to have done better than other patients  I saw at PT. I think the early manipulation following the surgeries made a big difference. Most importantly, I no longer experience debilitating pain. I have resumed most of my activities. Dr. Chudik is an excellent doctor and a good person. Small wonder he is in such high demand.”

4-star

“Top notch facility from the top to the bottom. I am very happy with the results I received and would recommend Dr. Chudik to anyone.”

5-Star

“Takes the time to explain everything. Listens, very kind man, great staff as well.”

5-Star

“Dr. Chudik and staff were great.”

5-Star

“Since my first visit back in February to my surgery in March and my post-op, Dr Chudik and his team have been fantastic. They are available or will call you back with any questions you may have. Unfortunately only 5 stars are available, I would rate Dr. Chudik and his staff 10 stars!!!!”

5-Star

“Great doctor.”

5-Star

“Everyone is so friendly, and professional. I highly recommend Dr. Chudik.”

5-Star

“My wife and I have been extremely happy with all the treatment I have received. We like that the entire staff and doctors listen to us and really tries to understand what we are going through. When we need to talk to another specialist they had recommendations and the doctor that we met with was able formulate a treatment for those other issues. If a friend, family member, or you need help this is the place to go for top notch care.”

5-Star

“Dr. Chudik is the best!”

5-Star

“Dr. Chudik’s team is very professional and go out of their way to help patients. Dr. Chudik is a very qualified Orthopaedic Surgeon, and very thorough with his explanations, and treatments.”

5-Star

“Dr. Chudik has been awesome not only in the surgical aspect but has followed up on all my questions after the surgery”

5-Star

“Great care from Dr. Chudik”

5-Star

“Great Doctor. Have nothing but fantastic things to say about him. Grateful, truly grateful.”

5-Star

“Very happy with the results of my surgery and physical therapy. I was able to return to bricklaying in five months.”

4-star

“Dr. Chudik and his assistant were wonderful.”

“Everything went smoothly and everyone was very caring and kind.”

“Dr. Chudik is an amazing doctor!”

“This was my first visit and first impressions making last impressions. I received superior care from the first time I called. Office receptionist was amazing to when I entered the office. Intake person went above and beyond. Physician assistant took me to the room and she was wonderful! X-ray technician was superior. Then I meet the cream of the crop–Dr. Chudik!”

“Best doctor and service around. Dr. Chudik was superb.”

“Dr. Chudik has the kindest bed-side-manor of any doctor I have seen.”

“Everyone was very professional”

“Dr. Chudik is great and so is his staff.”

“Great experience. Doctor saw me within 15 minutes of arrival for appointment. Nice, clean facilities and professional staff.”

“Dr. Chudik is very friendly and explained with fine detail.”

“Keep doing what you all are doing.”

“Dr. Chudik is very nice.”

“Top notch! Really knows and cares about his profession. Highly recommend.”

“Excellent doctor explains everything he his doing.”

I really appreciate the care and love that Dr. Chudik and his team gave and showed me…I can’t say enough…Well pleased in every way!!

5-Star

Thanks so much for your professionalism, empathy, and care you provide to your patients. All of that has made the journey from Tennessee to your office a good one. I’m looking forward to my continued recovery process.

Active mom returns to pain-free life following overdue shoulder surgery.

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Fate and a torn rotator cuff are changing the lives of countless orthopaedic patients

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Daily commute gives active businessman, avid golfer an unexpected ride

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Second shoulder work injury jeopardized Kucera’s job, bow hunting pastime

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Knee Anatomy

Ligaments
There are four main ligaments connecting the bones at the knee joint and provide stability when you walk, run and jump. They are the:

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
  • Posterolateral corner (PCL) ligaments including the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

 

 

Cartilage and Meniscus
The joint surface of the knee is covered with a thin, but durable layer of cartilage over the ends of the femur, tibia and patella and, along with the meniscus, allow the knee surfaces to articulate, move smoothly—almost frictionless and painlessly along each other. The cartilage and meniscus lack a blood supply and get their nutrition from the joint fluid. Without a blood supply and because of their relatively less active cellular makeup, they cannot maintain or repair themselves. The cartilage and meniscus are extremely durable, but in time with “wear and tear” or following injury, they break down, fail, and lead to meniscus tears, cartilage damage and eventually symptomatic (pain, stiffness, swelling) arthritis (failure of this protective joint surface).

 

Tendons and Muscles
Tendons also help provide knee joint stability and movement. They act like strong cables connecting your muscles to your bones. These muscle-tendon units cross joints to compress, hold and move joints in specific directions. Like other parts of your knee, they are susceptible to injury and overuse. The two knee tendons most commonly injured are the quadriceps and patellar tendons.

 

Injuries & Conditions

Surgical Procedures

About Dr. Chudik
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Meet Dr. Steven Chudik

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The Patient Experience

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Innovation

Innovations

Through his research, Dr. Chudik investigates and pioneers advanced and novel arthroscopic procedures, instruments and grafts that change patients’ lives because of better long-term outcomes, or outcomes that previously were never possible. His efforts continue to yield patent applications and patents that will positively affect orthopaedic surgical techniques worldwide.

Novel Knee Procedures

US Patents and Patent Applications

  • Method of Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery, U.S. Patent No. 9,445,910, filed September 11, 2006
  • Humeral Implant for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Patent application serial number 11/529,185 case II, filed September 25, 2006
  • Glenoid Implant for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery, U.S. Patent No. 9,974,658, filed September 25, 2006
  • Humeral Implant for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Serial No.11/525,629, filed September 25, 2006, application published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. 2007/0016305 (A)
  • Guide for Shoulder Surgery, U.S. Patent No. 9,968,459, filed September 29, 2006
  • Suture Pin Device. Patent application serial number 11/529,2006, case XV, filed September 29, 2006
  • Suture Pin Device, Serial No. 11/529,185, filed September 29, 2006, application published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. 2007/0027477 (A)
  • Method of Arthroscopic or Open Rotator Cuff Repair Using An Insertional Guide For Delivering a Suture Pin, U.S. Patent No. 8,540,737, filed October 24, 2006
  • Acromioclavicular Joint Repair System, U.S. Patent No. 9,387,011, filed February 2, 2007
  • Resurfacing Implant for a Humeral Head, Serial No. 13/068,309, filed May 9, 2011, application published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. 2012/0041563 (A)
  • Universal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair and Reconstruction System(Cannulated Scalpel), U.S. Patent No. 10,034,674, filed February 2, 2007
  • Resurfacing Implant for a Humeral Head. Patent application serial number 13/068,309 case II (A), filed May 9, 2011
  • Method of Arthroscopic or Open Rotator Cuff Repair Using an Insertional Guide for Delivering a Suture Pin. U.S. Patent Number 8,540,737 B2, issued September 24, 2013
  • Cortical Loop Fixation System for Ligament and Tendon Reconstruction, Serial No. 13/998,567, filed November 12, 2013, application published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. 2015/0134060 (A)
  • Acromioclavicular Joint Repair System. U.S. Patent Number 9,387,011 B2, issued July 12, 2016
  • Method of Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery. U.S. Patent Number 9,445,910 B2, issued September 20, 2016
  • Guide for Shoulder Surgery. U.S. Patent Number 9,968,459 B2, issued May 15, 2018
  • Glenoid Implant for Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement Surgery. U.S. Patent Number 9,974,658 B2, issued May 22, 2018
  • Glenoid Implant with Replaceable Articulating Portion, U.S. Patent No. 11,406,505, filed August 20, 2019, issued August 9, 2022
  • Cortical Loop Fixation Method for Ligament and Bone Reconstruction, Serial No. 15/731,719, filed July 24, 2017, application published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. 2019/0021845 (Pending)
  • Humeral Implant and Method, Serial No. 17/532,714, filed November 22, 2021 (Pending), published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. US 2023/0157832
  • Humeral Implant with Cannulation and Method, Serial No. 18/211,396, filed June 19, 2023 (Pending)
  • Glenoid implant with Portal and Method, filed July 2023 (Pending)

Dr. Steven Chudik continually innovates to create new technology, and surgical techniques and improve patient care. He also collaborates worldwide with other leaders in the orthopaedic technology industry. Surgeries provide Dr. Chudik with an endless source of ideas to create new, safer, less invasive, and more effective surgical procedures, surgical instruments, and implants. Several of his shoulder patents are the direct result of these pioneering endeavors.

 

Research

An inquisitive nature was the impetus for Dr. Steven Chudik’s career as a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, sports medicine physician and arthroscopic pioneer for treating knee injuries. It also led him to design and patent special arthroscopic surgical procedures and instruments and create the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Teaching and Research Foundation (OTRF). Through OTRF, Dr. Chudik conducts unbiased orthopaedic research, provides up-to-date medical information to help prevent sports injuries and shares his expertise and passion mentoring medical students in an honors research program. He also serves as a consultant and advisor for other orthopaedic companies and industry.

 

Areas of Shoulder Research And Development