Knee Surgery Specialist in Guatemala
Knee pain has a solution. The right one depends on your diagnosis.
Not all knee pain is the same. Osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthrosis, meniscus injury, or ligament injury are different conditions with different treatments. A precise diagnosis changes everything.
When should you consult Dr. Arriola?
You have knee pain that doesn’t improve with rest or medication
You were diagnosed with osteoarthritis or knee osteoarthrosis and don’t know what the next step is
You’ve been recommended a knee replacement and want a complete evaluation before deciding
Your knee feels like it’s giving out, buckling, or unstable
You had a meniscus or ligament injury that hasn’t improved
You want a second opinion before having surgery
⚡ Consultations Monday to Friday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Saturdays 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | By appointment only
5+
years treating knee conditions in Guatemala City
Israel
subspecialty in Knee Arthroplasty — Ben Gurion University of the Negev
95%
satisfaction rate among total knee replacement patients
Q300
initial consultation with complete evaluation and treatment plan
Solutions for your knee
Every knee and every patient are different. Dr. Arriola designs a treatment plan tailored to your condition, age, and goals — from conservative options to replacement surgery.
Knee Diagnosis and Evaluation
Complete clinical evaluation
Detailed clinical exam with imaging interpretation — X-rays, MRI — for a precise diagnosis of your knee condition and a personalized treatment plan.
Main benefits:
- Complete differential diagnosis of knee pain
- Imaging interpretation with specialized judgment
- Conservative or surgical treatment plan based on your case
- Evaluation of eligibility for replacement surgery
45-60 min
per consultation — no rush
Ideal for:
Anyone with knee pain
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthrosis — conservative and surgical treatment
Evaluation of the degree of knee cartilage wear and design of a personalized treatment plan — from injections and pain management to joint replacement when conservative treatment is no longer enough.
Main benefits:
- Precise classification of the degree of osteoarthritis
- Conservative options before considering surgery
- Injections and joint pain management
- Joint replacement when indicated
Recovery time
Variable depending on treatment
Knee osteoarthritis doesn’t always require surgery. In early and intermediate stages there are effective conservative options. The surgical indication depends on the degree of wear, not just the pain.
“Some patients come in convinced they need a replacement and actually have conservative options. And others have spent years enduring pain that already had a surgical solution.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Total Knee Replacement
Total arthroplasty — advanced osteoarthritis
Surgery to replace the damaged knee joint with a long-lasting prosthesis. Indicated when wear is severe and pain significantly interferes with quality of life. Subspecialty trained in Israel.
Main benefits:
- Elimination of chronic knee pain
- Recovery of functional mobility
- Arthroplasty subspecialty trained in Israel
- Complete post-surgical follow-up
Recovery time
3-6 months
Total knee replacement is one of the orthopedic procedures with the greatest impact on quality of life. Dr. Arriola’s subspecialty was trained at Barzilai Medical Center, Israel — a world reference center in joint surgery.
“A well-indicated, well-executed replacement gives back years of active life. The secret lies in selecting the right patient and in the surgical technique.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Partial Knee Replacement
Unicompartmental arthroplasty
Replacement of only the knee compartment affected by wear — preserving healthy bone and ligaments. Indicated when wear is localized to a single compartment.
Main benefits:
- Preserves healthy bone and tissue in the knee
- Faster recovery than total replacement
- More natural feeling joint
- Less blood loss and lower surgical risk
Recovery time
6-12 weeks
Partial replacement preserves healthy bone and ligaments — faster recovery and a more natural feel. But it’s only indicated when wear is truly localized to a single compartment.
“Partial replacement isn’t a lesser version of total replacement — it’s a different procedure for a different patient profile. Choosing correctly changes everything.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Meniscus Injuries
Diagnosis and management of meniscus injuries
Evaluation and treatment of tears and injuries of the medial and lateral meniscus. Treatment plan based on the type, location, and extent of the injury — from conservative management to surgical intervention when indicated.
Main benefits:
- Precise diagnosis of the type and extent of the injury
- Conservative options for appropriate injuries
- Surgical management when conservative treatment isn’t enough
- Prevention of secondary joint wear
Recovery time
4-12 weeks
Not every meniscus injury requires surgery. The type, location, and extent of the tear determine whether conservative management is enough or whether surgical intervention is needed.
“The meniscus has zones with blood supply and zones without it. That determines whether it can heal on its own or needs surgical help. Imaging diagnosis is essential before deciding.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Knee Ligament Injuries
ACL · PCL · collateral ligaments
Evaluation and management of knee ligament injuries — anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and collateral ligaments. Individualized treatment plan based on the degree of injury, the patient’s activity level, and their recovery goals.
Main benefits:
- Complete differential diagnosis of knee instability
- Conservative management for partial injuries
- Surgical evaluation when indicated
- Personalized functional recovery plan
Recovery time
6-12 wks. conservative / 6-9 months surgical
Knee instability from a ligament injury directly affects quality of life and can accelerate joint wear if left untreated. The plan depends on the degree of injury and the patient’s activity level.
“An unstable knee isn’t just a pain problem — it’s a joint that deteriorates faster. Treating the cause in time protects the cartilage in the long run.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Second Opinion in Knee Surgery
Independent review before deciding
Independent evaluation of the diagnosis and the proposed surgical plan for your knee. Recommended before accepting replacement surgery, when the diagnosis isn’t clear, or when current treatment hasn’t produced results.
Main benefits:
- Independent review with no commitment to the prior diagnosis
- Confirmation or correction of the proposed treatment plan
- Evaluation of options that may not have been considered
- Complete clinical report to make an informed decision
Before accepting knee surgery, an independent second opinion can confirm the diagnosis, correct it, or reveal options that hadn’t been considered.
“Being recommended for knee surgery doesn’t mean it’s urgent or that it’s the only option. Taking the time for a second evaluation is a smart decision.”
— Dr. Roberto Arriola
Symptoms that require an orthopedic evaluation.
Progressive knee pain rarely goes away on its own. When it interferes with your daily life, it’s time for a specialized evaluation.
Pain going up or down stairs
One of the first symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Worn cartilage creates friction and pain, especially during movements that load the joint.
Morning stiffness or stiffness after prolonged rest
Difficulty moving the knee when getting up or after sitting for a long time. A sign of joint inflammation that improves with movement but returns.
Recurrent knee swelling
Fluid accumulated in the joint — a joint effusion. May indicate a meniscus injury, inflammatory arthritis, or advanced cartilage wear.
Feeling of instability or the knee giving out
The knee fails or gives out while walking. May indicate a ligament injury — ACL, PCL — or severe wear that compromises joint stability.
Noise or crepitus when moving the knee
Clicking, crackling, or a grinding sensation when bending the knee. Not always pathological, but combined with pain or swelling it requires evaluation.
Progressive limitation of movement
Growing difficulty fully bending or extending the knee. In advanced osteoarthritis, loss of range of motion is one of the signs that conservative treatment is no longer enough.
Pain at rest or at night
When pain appears without activity or wakes you up at night, it generally indicates an advanced stage of osteoarthritis or an injury that requires urgent evaluation.
Prior diagnosis without a clear plan
Having a diagnosis of knee osteoarthrosis or cartilage wear without a concrete treatment plan — that’s also reason enough to seek a consultation.
Do you identify with any of these?
A first consultation is enough to begin studying your case and define the next steps
Why consult Dr. Arriola for your knee?
Arthroplasty subspecialty trained in Israel
Dr. Arriola completed his subspecialty in Knee Arthroplasty at Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Barzilai Medical Center — one of the world’s leading reference centers in joint surgery. Training very few orthopedic surgeons in Guatemala have had.
Diagnosis first, surgery only when indicated
Not all knee pain needs surgery. Dr. Arriola first evaluates conservative options and only recommends surgical intervention when the diagnosis and stage justify it.
Real time to understand your case
A complete consultation to review your studies, explain the diagnosis clearly, answer your questions, and design together the treatment plan that makes sense for you.
Experience with complex cases and revisions
If you’ve already had a knee surgery that didn’t work, Dr. Arriola has specific experience in arthroplasty revision and can evaluate what went wrong and how to correct it.
Arthroplasty subspecialty trained in Israel
Dr. Arriola completed his subspecialty in Knee Arthroplasty at Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Barzilai Medical Center — one of the world’s leading reference centers in joint surgery. Training very few orthopedic surgeons in Guatemala have had.
Diagnosis first, surgery only when indicated
Not all knee pain needs surgery. Dr. Arriola first evaluates conservative options and only recommends surgical intervention when the diagnosis and stage justify it.
Real time to understand your case
A complete consultation to review your studies, explain the diagnosis clearly, answer your questions, and design together the treatment plan that makes sense for you.
Experience with complex cases and revisions
If you’ve already had a knee surgery that didn’t work, Dr. Arriola has specific experience in arthroplasty revision and can evaluate what went wrong and how to correct it.
Ready to get your mobility back?
Book your consultation and take the first step toward a life without pain
Specialized Orthopedic Care in Zona 14
Dr. Roberto Arriola - Traumatólogo y Ortopedista
10 calle A 2-30, Zona 14. Edificio Prospere 14, 5to Nivel, Oficina 509Modern office with wheelchair access in the heart of Zona 14, Guatemala City
Office Hours
Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Emergency Care
Hip and femur fractures and prosthesis emergencies
Coverage Areas
Guatemala City
- • Zona 14, 10, 15
- • Zona 9, 13, 4
- • Cayalá and Oakland Mall area
Metropolitan Area
- • Mixco
- • Villa Nueva
- • Santa Catarina Pinula
- • Carretera a El Salvador
Patients from Outside the Capital
- • Care for patients from all of Guatemala
- • Telehealth available in select cases
- • Coordination with referring physicians from outside the capital
Common questions, clear answers
Still have questions? Let’s talk directly on WhatsApp for personalized answers.