Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center

Knee Injury Specialist Serving Dallas / Sunnyvale

Comprehensive, dual-provider knee care in Sunnyvale TX and East Dallas. Two fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeons treat everything from sports knee injuries and ACL tears to complex reconstruction and joint replacement, all under one coordinated standard of care.

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Knee Injuries Explained

Understanding Your Knee and How It Gets Injured

The knee is the largest and one of the most heavily loaded joints in the body, which is exactly why it is so frequently injured. It relies on a network of ligaments, cartilage, and tendons working together every time you walk, pivot, climb, or run.

Four primary ligaments stabilize the joint: the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) control front-to-back motion, while the MCL (medial collateral ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) guard against side-to-side stress. Between the thigh bone and shin bone sit two wedges of cartilage called the meniscus, which cushion and distribute load across the joint.

When any of these structures is overstretched, torn, or worn down, the result can range from a mild knee sprain or knee strain to a serious ligament rupture or cartilage injury. Understanding which structure is involved is the first step toward the right treatment, and it is why an accurate diagnosis from a dedicated knee injury specialist matters so much.

Our team treats the full spectrum of knee conditions, from acute injuries in student athletes to chronic, degenerative conditions that develop over decades. Whether your knee pain arrived suddenly on the field or crept in gradually over the years, there is a clear path to evaluation and recovery.

Matched to the Right Surgeon

Two Knee Specialists, One Coordinated Standard of Care

At Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, your knee is evaluated by the surgeon best suited to your specific injury. Dr. Reed Bartz leads sports-related and active-recovery care, while Dr. John M. Hibbitts anchors complex reconstruction and joint replacement. When a case spans both, the two collaborate directly, so you never start over with a new practice.

Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy

Dr. Reed Bartz, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

A Houston native, Dr. Bartz specializes in sports-related knee injuries and the active patient populations that sustain them, from weekend athletes to competitive student-athletes. He earned his M.D. from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and pursued advanced fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the renowned Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

As a former Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado and team physician for university athletic programs, Dr. Bartz brings a return-to-play mindset to every evaluation. He applies advanced arthroscopy and minimally invasive technique to ACL and meniscus tear treatments, guiding athletes through structured, active recovery protocols.

Focus Areas

Sports Knee Injuries
ACL Injury Treatment
Meniscus Tear Specialist
Arthroscopy
Student Athletes
Active Patient Recovery

Consult Dr. Bartz

Reconstruction & Joint Replacement

Dr. John M. Hibbitts, M.D.

Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

Dr. Hibbitts is the established knee authority at the practice, with more than 30 years of surgical experience since founding Sunnyvale Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in 1994. A Texas board-certified orthopedic surgeon, he has performed hundreds of joint replacement procedures and built deep expertise in reconstructive and complex knee care.

His focus centers on chronic knee conditions, total and partial knee replacement pathways, and complex ligament reconstructions. For patients facing the most demanding cases, Dr. Hibbitts performs advanced procedures including meniscus transplants and quad tendon graft reconstructions, drawing on decades of refined surgical judgment.

Focus Areas

Total & Partial Knee Replacement
Complex Knee Reconstruction
Chronic Knee Conditions
Ligament Reconstruction
Meniscus Transplant
Quad Tendon Graft

Consult Dr. Hibbitts

Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Knee Pain That Indicates You Should See a Knee Injury Specialist

Do not self-diagnose a knee injury. Athletes who skip medical attention from a sports knee injury specialist can suffer ongoing ailments, and chronic conditions often worsen when left unevaluated. If any of the following signs sound familiar, it is time to schedule an evaluation.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

A popping sound or sensation at the moment of injury
Sudden swelling within hours of an incident
The knee buckling, giving way, or feeling unstable
Inability to fully straighten or bend the knee
Locking or catching during movement
Pain that persists beyond a few days of rest
Visible deformity after a fall or collision
Recurring knee pain during or after activity

How We Diagnose Your Injury

A thorough review of your injury history and activity level
Hands-on physical examination and stability testing
Advanced imaging, including X-ray and MRI as needed
Assessment of ligament, meniscus, and cartilage involvement
A clear, personalized treatment plan and next steps

Because both a sports medicine specialist and a reconstructive surgeon practice under one roof, your diagnosis moves directly into the right treatment plan, whether that means conservative rehabilitation or surgical planning, with no referral gaps or delays.

When Knee Pain Should Not Wait

Severe swelling, an inability to bear weight, a knee that locks or gives out, or pain following a high-impact injury all warrant prompt evaluation. Early diagnosis protects the surrounding cartilage and ligaments and often widens your treatment options. When in doubt, have it looked at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knee Injury Questions, Answered

What Are Signs of an ACL Tear?

Most people who tear an ACL recall a distinct popping sensation at the moment of injury, often during a sudden stop, pivot, or awkward landing. Rapid swelling within the first few hours is common, along with a feeling that the knee is unstable or wants to give way. Many patients also struggle to bear weight or fully straighten the leg. Because these symptoms overlap with meniscus and MCL injuries, an in-person examination and imaging with a knee injury specialist are the reliable way to confirm an ACL tear.

Can a Meniscus Tear Heal Without Surgery?

Some meniscus tears can heal or become manageable without surgery, and the answer depends on the tear's location, size, and pattern, as well as your age and activity level. The outer rim of the meniscus has a better blood supply and greater healing potential, so smaller tears in that zone may respond well to rest, physical therapy, and activity modification. Tears in the inner region, or larger and more complex tears, often need arthroscopic treatment. A meniscus tear specialist can evaluate your specific tear and recommend whether a conservative protocol or a minimally invasive procedure gives you the best outcome.

When Should Knee Pain Be Evaluated?

Have your knee evaluated if pain lasts more than a few days, if you cannot bear weight, or if the joint is significantly swollen, locking, or giving way. Any injury accompanied by a popping sound, visible deformity, or instability deserves prompt attention. Even lower-grade pain that keeps returning during or after activity is worth assessing, because early diagnosis often protects cartilage and widens your treatment options. When knee pain interferes with daily movement or your ability to stay active, it is time to see a knee injury specialist.

Knee Care Close to Home in East Dallas

As a trusted knee doctor for East Dallas and a leading knee injury specialist in Sunnyvale TX, our practice welcomes patients from across the surrounding communities. Wherever you are in the area, expert knee care is within reach.

Sunnyvale
Mesquite
Garland
Rockwall
Terrell
Kaufman
Ennis
Royse City
Canton
Athens

Ready to Take the First Step?

Request an appointment with Dr. Bartz for sports and active-recovery knee care, or with Dr. Hibbitts for reconstruction and joint replacement. Two specialists, one coordinated team, focused on getting you back to the life you love.

Schedule Appointment › Call (214) 466-6947