Knee Surgery in Northern Kentucky
Aptiva Health provides comprehensive knee care in Northern Kentucky — from the first evaluation through imaging, conservative treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation — anchored by board-certified orthopedic surgeons Medically reviewed by D. Philip Stickney, MD a team of orthopedic advanced practice providers. We treat the full range of knee conditions, prioritizing conservative care first — physical therapy, bracing, anti-inflammatory medication, and targeted injections — and offering minimally invasive surgical options including knee arthroscopy, meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and partial and total knee replacement when surgery becomes the right answer. With on-site MRI, on-site physical therapy, and an in-house orthopedic and sports medicine team, the entire knee care pathway happens under one roof.
Medically reviewed by D. Philip Stickney, MD. Last reviewed: August 2026.
Why Patients Choose Aptiva Health for Knee Care in Northern Kentucky
One Knee Team, One Care Pathway
Most knee patients in Northern Kentucky end up coordinating care across three or four practices: a primary care office for the referral, a separate imaging center for the MRI, an orthopedic specialist booked weeks out, an injection appointment somewhere else, and a separate physical therapy practice for rehab. Each handoff is another week of delay, another insurance authorization, another appointment to drive to.
Aptiva Health is structured differently. From the initial evaluation through MRI, conservative care, injections, surgery, and post-operative rehab, the patient stays inside one organization. The surgeon, the orthopedic PA and APRN, the physical therapist, and the imaging center all share the same chart and the same plan.
Conservative Care First, Surgery When It's Right
Most knee problems do not require surgery. Our knee team starts every patient with the least-invasive treatment that is likely to work — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, bracing, activity modification, and targeted knee injections. We measure progress, image when needed, and only recommend surgery when the patient's symptoms and imaging both indicate it is the right step.
When surgery is the right answer, we use minimally invasive techniques whenever the anatomy allows — smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, less pain, and a faster return to normal activity.
Same-Week Knee Evaluations
Aptiva Health Lexington offers same-day and same-week orthopedic appointments. Patients do not wait months for a first visit. New patients with imaging in hand can often be evaluated within 7 days of calling, and acute knee injuries can be seen right away through our Immediate Injury Care walk-in clinic, including on-site X-ray.
On-Site Imaging and Therapy Across Northern Kentucky
Aptiva Health sees knee patients at multiple Northern Kentucky locations, with on-site MRI imaging and Aptiva orthopedic, sports medicine, interventional pain, and physical therapy services available close to home. No separate trip to an outside imaging center, no long wait for the scan.
Schedule your appointment today!
Meet the Northern Kentucky Knee Team
D. Philip Stickney, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. D. Philip Stickney, MD, a board -certified orthopedic surgeon, has been providing general orthopedic care for over 25 years. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with orthopedic surgery training at Mt. Sinai in Cleveland and Akron General Medical Center in Akron, Ohio. He treats a variety of conditions from arthritis to sports medicine and occupational injuries. As former team physician for Hiram College in Ohio, he has a breadth of experience treating non-operative and operative conditions including:
Knee Conditions We Treat in Northern Kentucky
Our Northern Kentucky knee team evaluates and treats the full range of knee injuries and degenerative conditions:
Meniscus tears — tears of the C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee, from sports injuries or age-related wear.
ACL tears — anterior cruciate ligament injuries, common in pivoting and cutting sports.
PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries — sprains and tears of the other major knee ligaments.
Knee osteoarthritis — age-related cartilage wear that produces pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Cartilage injuries and chondromalacia — damage or softening of the cartilage on the joint surfaces, including the kneecap.
Patellofemoral pain and kneecap instability — pain at the front of the knee and recurrent kneecap dislocation or tracking problems.
Knee sprains and strains — acute ligament and muscle-tendon injuries.
Tendon injuries — patellar and quadriceps tendinitis and tendon tears.
Knee dislocations and loose bodies — joint dislocations and fragments of cartilage or bone within the joint.
Knee bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee.
Work-related and auto-accident knee injuries — evaluated and treated under workers' compensation and auto injury coverage.
Knee Surgeries Performed in Northern Kentucky
When conservative care has not provided sufficient relief, our Northern Kentucky knee surgeons perform the full range of minimally invasive and joint replacement procedures. Most are performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis at the appropriate surgical center.
Arthroscopic (minimally invasive) knee surgery
Knee arthroscopy — a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat problems inside the knee.
Meniscus repair and meniscectomy — repairing a torn meniscus or trimming the damaged portion when repair is not possible.
ACL reconstruction — rebuilding a torn anterior cruciate ligament with a graft to restore knee stability.
PCL, MCL, and LCL reconstruction — ligament reconstruction or repair for instability involving the other major knee ligaments.
Cartilage restoration — procedures to repair or regrow damaged cartilage on the joint surfaces.
Loose body removal — removing fragments of cartilage or bone that cause locking or catching.
Knee replacement surgery
Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement — resurfacing only the single damaged compartment of the knee while preserving the healthy ligaments and cartilage.
Total knee replacement — resurfacing all three compartments of an arthritic knee joint to relieve pain and restore function.
Kneecap (patellofemoral) surgery
Patellar realignment and stabilization — surgery to correct kneecap tracking and recurrent kneecap dislocation.
Non-surgical knee procedures
Many knee patients avoid surgery entirely with conservative treatment delivered by our orthopedic PA and APRN:
Knee injections — including corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid / gel injections) — for select patients with knee osteoarthritis.
PRP injections — platelet rich plasma injections and regenerative injections
Bracing and physical therapy — to stabilize the knee and rebuild strength and motion.
The Aptiva Stepped-Care Approach to Knee Conditions
Knee surgery is rarely a first-line treatment. Our Northern Kentucky knee team follows a stepped-care approach that gives every patient the best chance of resolving symptoms without surgery.
Step 1 — Activity modification, medication, and self-care. NSAIDs, ice and heat, bracing or a knee sleeve, weight management when relevant, and avoiding the activities that aggravate symptoms.
Step 2 — Physical therapy and non-invasive treatment. Knee-specific strengthening and mobility protocols, manual therapy, and gait and movement retraining.
Step 3 — Knee injections. Corticosteroid injections and, for select arthritis patients, viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) injections, administered by our orthopedic PA and APRN — many of which provide lasting relief and prevent the need for surgery.
Step 4 — Minimally invasive surgery or knee replacement when conservative care has not provided sufficient relief or when the diagnosis clearly requires surgical treatment.
Many patients reach Step 2 or Step 3 and stop there — their symptoms resolve and they do not need surgery. For the patients who do need surgery, the stepped-care evaluation makes sure the procedure is targeting the right problem.
When Should You See an Aptiva Knee Surgeon in Northern Kentucky?
Most knee pain comes on gradually and resolves with conservative care. Certain patterns warrant prompt evaluation by an orthopedic specialist:
Knee pain that has not improved after 4–6 weeks of rest, activity modification, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and basic strengthening.
A knee that gives way, buckles, or feels unstable.
Locking or catching — the knee getting stuck or not fully straightening.
Significant swelling that develops quickly after an injury or recurs without a clear cause.
Knee pain that worsens at night or wakes you up.
Difficulty with stairs, kneeling, or walking distances because of knee pain.
A knee injury from sports, a fall, or a work or auto accident.
A prior knee surgery that did not provide the relief expected.
Get to an emergency room or urgent care immediately if you experience: an obvious knee deformity after an injury, inability to bear any weight on the leg, a knee that is hot, red, and severely swollen with fever, or numbness and loss of circulation in the foot. These can indicate a fracture, dislocation, joint infection, or vascular injury.
For non-emergency knee evaluation, Aptiva Health Lexington offers same-day and same-week appointments — patients do not wait months to be seen.
Schedule your appointment today!
Schedule a Knee Consultation in Northern Kentucky — Schedule Now
Aptiva Health – Northern Kentucky: 2093 Medical Arts Drive, Hebron, KY 41048
Drive times:
5 minutes from CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport)
10 minutes from Florence, KY via I-71/75
12 minutes from Burlington and Union via KY-237
15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati via I-275 East
18 minutes from Covington and Newport
20 minutes from Anderson Township and Mt. Washington (OH)
25 minutes from Price Hill, Westwood, and Delhi Township
30 minutes from Florence Mall and the Boone County line south
Communities we routinely serve: Hebron, Florence, Burlington, Union, Walton, Erlanger, Edgewood, Crestview Hills, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Independence, Covington, Newport, Fort Thomas, Cold Spring, Alexandria, Highland Heights, and across the river in Cincinnati, Anderson Township, Delhi Township, Cheviot, Price Hill, and Westwood.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Walk-in injury care availability may vary; call ahead to confirm.
Insurance accepted: Most major medical insurance, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, most Kentucky Medicaid plans, workers' compensation, auto injury coverage (PIP and MedPay), and cash-pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Surgery in Northern Kentucky
Who provides knee surgery at Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky?
Knee surgery at Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky is led by D. Philip Stickney, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who provides evaluation and treatment for knee injuries, arthritis, sports-related conditions, and other orthopedic concerns.
Our Northern Kentucky orthopedic team provides coordinated care from the initial evaluation and imaging through treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up. Whether surgery is needed or a non-surgical approach is more appropriate, Dr. Stickney works with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan based on their condition, activity level, and goals.
Where can I see a knee specialist in Northern Kentucky?
Aptiva Health sees orthopedic and knee patients at our Northern Kentucky clinic in Hebron, Kentucky, located at:
2093 Medical Arts Drive
Hebron, KY 41048
The location provides convenient access to orthopedic care along with services such as imaging and physical therapy, helping patients move efficiently from evaluation to the next appropriate step in treatment.
Do I need knee surgery?
Most knee problems do not automatically require surgery. At Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky, care may begin with conservative treatment options such as physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, medications, or injections when appropriate.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging, and the patient's goals indicate that a surgical approach could be appropriate. Dr. Stickney evaluates each patient individually and reviews both surgical and non-surgical options.
What is the difference between partial and total knee replacement?
A total knee replacement addresses multiple areas of the knee joint, while a partial knee replacement treats only the affected portion of the knee when the remaining areas are healthy enough to preserve.
Not every patient with knee arthritis is a candidate for the same procedure. Dr. Stickney reviews your symptoms, examination, and imaging to determine which treatment options may be appropriate for your individual condition.
What knee conditions does Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky treat?
Our orthopedic team evaluates and treats a wide range of knee conditions, including:
Knee arthritis and joint degeneration
Meniscus tears
ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries
Knee sprains and strains
Cartilage injuries and chondromalacia
Patellofemoral pain and kneecap concerns
Tendon injuries
Sports-related knee injuries
Work-related knee injuries
Auto accident knee injuries
Patients experiencing chronic knee pain or seeking another perspective regarding treatment or surgery can also schedule an orthopedic evaluation.
How long is recovery after knee surgery?
Recovery varies depending on the specific procedure, the patient's overall health, the severity of the condition, and individual rehabilitation progress.
Less invasive procedures may involve a shorter recovery period, while ligament reconstruction or knee replacement typically requires a more extensive rehabilitation process. Physical therapy may be incorporated into recovery when appropriate, and Dr. Stickney and the Aptiva Health team provide individualized guidance based on each patient's procedure and goals.
Can I avoid knee surgery?
In many cases, non-surgical care may be appropriate. Treatment options can include physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, medications, and injections, depending on the diagnosis and individual needs.
Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky takes a stepped-care approach, beginning with appropriate conservative options when possible before considering surgery. When surgery is recommended, patients can discuss the reasons, alternatives, and expected treatment plan with Dr. Stickney.
What is knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a small camera and specialized instruments to evaluate and treat certain problems inside the knee through small incisions.
Arthroscopy may be considered for conditions such as certain meniscus tears, cartilage problems, loose bodies, or other knee injuries. Whether arthroscopy is appropriate depends on the individual diagnosis and imaging findings.
How quickly can I be seen for a knee evaluation at Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky?
Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky offers convenient appointment availability for many orthopedic conditions. Patients with new or ongoing knee concerns can schedule an evaluation with the orthopedic team, and access to imaging and rehabilitation services within Aptiva Health can help streamline the care process.
Appointment availability varies, so patients should contact the Northern Kentucky office for the earliest available visit.
Does Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky provide second opinions for knee surgery?
Yes. Patients who have been told they may need knee surgery can schedule an evaluation with Dr. Stickney for another orthopedic perspective.
Bringing previous X-rays, MRI studies, CT scans, operative reports, or other medical records can help the orthopedic team review the condition and discuss available surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Does Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky treat work-related and auto accident knee injuries?
Yes. Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky evaluates knee injuries related to workplace incidents and motor vehicle accidents.
Aptiva Health's coordinated model can bring together orthopedic care, imaging, physical therapy, and other services when appropriate, helping patients navigate their treatment plan within one healthcare organization.
What insurance does Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky accept for knee surgery?
Aptiva Health works with many major insurance plans as well as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, workers' compensation, and auto insurance coverage.
Coverage for orthopedic evaluations, imaging, therapy, injections, or surgery depends on the patient's individual policy and benefits. The Aptiva Health team can help verify coverage and explain insurance-related requirements before treatment.