Knee surgery in Rochdale

Sports injuries and general wear-and-tear are common causes of knee pain.

Most knee injuries improve over time, but if your symptoms don’t go away naturally, or become more severe, you may appreciate access to further investigations and expert advice.

Similarly, if you’re suffering from wear and tear in your knee and the pain and stiffness causes is limiting your mobility, you may benefit from further treatment.

At The Highfield Hospital in Manchester, experienced Consultant Knee Surgeons treat people who are struggling with all types of knee problems, helping them to get out of pain and back to better movement and function in the knee again. Whether you’ve damaged a meniscus, your knee joint is being affected by poor alignment or you are starting to notice the effects of osteoarthritis in your knee, they would be delighted to help you.

Our comprehensive imaging facilities include X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound and CT, so we can fully investigate all knee problems. An experienced team of physiotherapists work closely with your Consultant to help strengthen and stabilise the knee, both before and after any surgery. 

Common reasons people come to see a knee surgeon include: 

• Sports injuries – squash, football, rugby and skiing are frequently to blame 
• Knee pain - that is severe or isn’t going away 
• Swelling in the knee 
• Cartilage injuries 
• Meniscus tears  
• Ligament injuries - the most commonly damaged is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) 
• Kneecap dislocation – either one-time or recurrent 
• Osteoarthritis - can cause severe pain and stiffness in the knee 
• Tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon in the knee 
• Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome – an overuse injury, causing pain on the outside of the knee

It’s worth noting that surgery is not always needed. Many knee problems can often be improved by following simple advice on how to effectively manage the symptoms.

Conservative (non-surgical) treatments can be very helpful, and these include physiotherapy, pain relief medication and joint injection therapies.

In addition, biological therapies such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are available.

If your knee symptoms don’t respond to non-surgical (conservative) treatment options, surgery may be needed to successfully resolve the problem. 

The Consultant Knee Surgeons here at The Highfield Hospital provide a variety of surgical treatments, including: 

• Meniscus repair 
• Keyhole surgery (knee arthroscopy) – can be used to investigate damage inside the knee joint and to carry out surgical repair where needed 
• Joint preservation 
• Partial meniscus resection 
• Ligament reconstruction – ACL reconstruction is the most common 
• Patella (kneecap) stabilisation 
• Knee re-alignment (Distal femoral osteotomy & High tibial osteotomy) 
• Total knee replacement 
• Partial knee replacement – commonly used for younger, more active patients 

When you meet with your Consultant, they will ask you to talk about your symptoms. They will ask you a number of questions, like: 

• What symptoms do you have? 
• How long have you had them? 
• Do you have any pain in your knee? If so, can you describe it?  
• Have your symptoms been getting worse? 
• Have you tried any treatments already? If so, did they help? 
• Are your symptoms stopping you from doing any particular activities or movements? 

They will take a medical history and carry out a detailed physical examination of your knee. They may examine your hip, back and lower leg as well if they suspect a problem in any of these places is causing referred pain in your knee.

Depending on your symptoms and their examination of your knee, your Consultant may refer you for further investigations. Our comprehensive on-site imaging facilities include X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so any tests needed can be easily and quickly arranged for you.

Once the results of any tests are back, your Consultant will use these to confirm a diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment. They will discuss the diagnosis with you and explain the treatment options available to you. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, they will always be very happy to talk through these with you.

For some conditions, a type of keyhole surgery known as knee arthroscopy may be required. A few small cuts will be made in your knee and a thin, flexible tube (arthroscope) with a small light and camera attached is then passed through and into the joint. This transmits a live feed to a screen, giving your Consultant a clear view inside the joint. If any problems are found during the arthroscopy, such as damage to the cartilage or a ligament tear, this can often be treated at the same time, avoiding the need for further surgery in the future. 

People choose to have their knee treatment at The Highfield for a number of reasons. Some are referred to us from their GP, physiotherapist, sports physiotherapist or osteopath. Others have been recommended to us by friends or family members who have been treated by us previously.

Many people who struggle with knee pain are shocked when they discover the waiting times for treatment elsewhere and will often self-refer to us in order to receive treatment far more quickly. 

Regardless of how you’ve been referred to us and the distance you’ll be travelling, when you choose your knee treatment at The Highfield, you will benefit from: 

• Fast Assessment – Knee pain can have a big impact on everyday life. You’ll appreciate being able to see an experienced knee surgeon for a private consultation as soon as possible. With rapid, easy access to assessment and diagnosis, you’ll be able to start any treatment programme sooner.
• Patient Satisfaction – In an independent survey, an incredible 99.1% of the people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend The Highfield Hospital to their friends and family. While we’re incredibly grateful for this feedback, we don’t take it for granted. We continue to focus on providing the very highest level of care to everyone who chooses us for their knee treatment.
• Tailored approach – A bespoke approach to treatment ensures you will receive the optimal treatment for your specific requirements.  
• Remote Consultations available – Consultations for knee problems are normally carried out in person here at The Highfield. However, we can also offer remote consultations by telephone or online video call if required and where clinically appropriate. This can be particularly helpful for follow-up appointments.
• Comprehensive support: Any type of knee surgery requires a well-structured recovery programme afterwards. Our on-site physiotherapy team will work closely with you, before and after any surgery, to help you safely regain strength, movement and function in the knee at an appropriate pace.
• Multidisciplinary team: Your Consultant is supported at The Highfield by physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists, radiologists and other healthcare professionals. Access to this depth of expertise ensures you will always receive the best treatment for your particular condition.

If you’re experiencing any type of knee problem, whether pain, stiffness, weakness or an unusual lump in the knee, we can help. There are a range of treatments available, all of which can be arranged for you by your Consultant at The Highfield. For peace of mind and expert care, why not contact us today to book your private appointment? 

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6. Take control of your knee pain, Harvard Health