With three operating theatres and a critical care unit on-site, we can provide several types of knee surgery. These include:
Meniscus surgery
Comprised of cartilage, the menisci are the 'shock absorbers' in your knee, helping to absorb and safely dissipate energy created in the joint every time you move it. If you damage the cartilage, meniscus surgery may be needed to either remove the cartilage or tor repair it.
Total knee replacement
If your knee has been damaged by osteoarthritis so much that other treatments are no longer effective, a total knee replacement may be advised. During this operation, your consultant will remove the damaged, worn joint surfaces and replace them with new, artificial surfaces.
Partial knee replacement
If only part of your knee is damaged, a partial knee replacement may be a more suitable option than a total knee replacement for you. Because it is a less extensive operation, your recovery may be quicker.
Knee replacement revision
Our natural joints experience wear and tear as we age. So too do artificial joints, including those of a total knee replacement. A modern knee implant will usually last for many years, but if it does become worn it may need to be replaced - known as knee replacement revision. This is a more complex operation because it involves removing the original prosthesis and replacing it with a new one.
Knee arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery that allows your consultant to see directly inside your knee joint. It may be used to help confirm a diagnosis or to treat a problem.
Small surgical instruments can be used to carry out repairs or to remove worn or damaged cartilage from the joint. Because arthroscopy only requires tiny incisions in your skin, scarring is kept to an absolute minimum and your recovery will be faster.
Ligament repair or reconstruction
While minor damage may not need surgery, more significant damage (or even a complete tear) will often require surgery to repair or reconstruct the ligament. Visit our ligament repair or reconstruction page to find out more.
ACL reconstruction
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are very common, accounting for 40% of all knee injuries in sport.
If your ACL is partially or completely torn, surgery may be needed. This is known as ACL reconstruction. The surgery normally involves taking ligaments from other areas in the leg and using them to reconstruct the torn ACL. While this surgery can be extremely helpful, it often has a long recovery time, and you should expect it to take anywhere from 6–12 months for you to fully recover.
ACL reconstructive surgery needs to be done only once any initial swelling has gone down, so this means you will probably have to wait a few weeks from your injury until it has gone down enough to allow surgery to go ahead. During this time, our physiotherapy team will work with you to help you prepare your knee for the surgery.