Knee Pain & Exercise: Effective Treatments for Athletes | Dr. Ari Zekcer

Many patients unnecessarily reduce or abandon athletic activity due to pain, despite the availability of effective treatments that can restore function and allow a safe return to physical activity, according to São Paulo-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ari Zekcer.

Dr. Zekcer, who has 30 years of experience in knee surgery, orthopedics, and sports medicine, specializes in treating injuries common among athletes. He practices at the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, with locations in Perdizes, Anália Franco, and Morumbi. Contact information for these locations is readily available to patients, with phone numbers listed as (11) 2151-8709 for Perdizes and Anália Franco, and (11) 2151-7736 for Morumbi.

The knee joint, Dr. Zekcer explains, is a complex structure comprised of tendons, muscles, ligaments, menisci, and bones – the femur, tibia, and patella. The imperfect fit between the femur and tibia necessitates the stabilizing role of the menisci, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. A specialist in knee surgery first completes six years of medical school, followed by a three-year residency in orthopedics and traumatology, gaining experience in areas including the knee, shoulder, spine, and feet. Further specialization involves an additional year dedicated solely to the treatment of knee conditions, culminating in certification as a knee surgery specialist and the opportunity to join the Brazilian Society of Knee Surgery (SBCJ).

According to information available on the Medicos Brasil website, Dr. Zekcer also has experience as an orthopedic and trauma surgeon at the Hospital e Maternidade Brasil in Santo André, serving from 1991 to 2002. He also holds an MBA in Healthcare Economics and Management from CEPS Unifesp, completed in 2003. His areas of expertise include knee surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, and arthroscopy.

Dr. Zekcer’s practice also receives attention on platforms like Doctoralia, where patients can consult reviews and contact information. His official Facebook page currently has over 2,400 likes and serves as a public forum for information regarding his practice.

The overuse of the knee joint, Dr. Zekcer notes, can lead to overload of these structures, resulting in inflammation, pain, and often swelling.