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Knee conditions

The knee joint is one of the most vital joints in the body. The ligaments surrounding the knee joint stabilise body movements while also limiting others. If you regularly participate in sport, it is not uncommon to injure your tendons, cartilage or ligaments due to added strain on your knees. Obesity may also result in knee pain, as extra weight adds further compression onto the knee joints.

No matter what kind of symptoms you have, we can offer comprehensive and specialist diagnostic tests, advice and treatment (if necessary) for every type of knee condition including a dislocation of the knee cap, ligament or cartilage injury and different types of arthritis.

Our consultant knee surgeons are experts in their field and are supported in their diagnosis by our onsite  Diagnostic Centre for MRI scanning, ultrasound or conventional x-rays and other innovative technologies such 3D gait analysis.  To ensure an accurate diagnosis and when clinically indicated we can also use a minor diagnostic procedure called an arthroscopy . This is where a tiny telescopic camera is inserted into the knee joint to obtain a clear picture of the problem.

Once a diagnosis has been made, our orthopaedic specialists can recommend any treatment that you may need. This could include specialist physiotherapy, medical management or surgical techniques such as keyhole surgery, joint replacement or preservation surgery.

Causes of knee pain

Tendonitis – occurs when the tendons joined to the patella are overused or injured. It is commonly triggered by running or by sports that involve jumping, such as netball or basketball.

ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament) injury – is common and can be quite serious. A ruptured ACL will make the knee unstable and its full range of movement will become limited. This injury is commonly sustained through sports that require sudden changes of direction, such as rugby or football.

LCL (Lateral collateral ligament) injury – the LCL is located on the outside of the knee and its purpose is to limit side-to-side movement. However, the ligament can tear if it is twisted or if you are hit on the knee.

Osteoarthritis – is the most common type of arthritis and normally develops in over 50s. Symptoms include inflammation of tissues surrounding joints, damage to cartilage, and the development of bony growths on the edge of joints.

Bursitis – is the inflammation of the bursa, a sac filled with fluid that acts as a cushion between tendons and bones or muscles surrounding a joint. Bursas may swell and become tender due to repetitive movements or through overuse. Bursitis is common among people who spend a lot of time on their knees, such as gardeners or carpet fitters.

Strain – knee strain is very common and may be the result of you taking part in extra physical activity. Strain is when the knee tissue stretches, and though it can be painful, you will not suffer any permanent damage.

Meniscal injury – menisci are shock-absorbing pads of tissue situated between the knee bones. The pads can become worn with age or torn from sudden movement. Meniscal injuries are one of the most common causes of knee pain for people in their middle ages.

*Please note that you will need a GP referral letter to be able to use most of our services.

The above is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you. 

Knee conditions Consultants

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