Knees

A total knee replacement is undertaken primarily to treat arthritis of the knee joint, most commonly osteoarthritis. The operation aims to reduce pain and improve function and, for some, enhance overall quality of life.

A partial knee replacement involves replacing only the damaged part of the knee, rather than the entire joint. During the procedure, the affected compartment is carefully removed and replaced with metal and plastic components designed to restore smooth movement while preserving the healthy parts of the knee.

In rare cases, issues can develop after a knee replacement that require further surgery to replace part or all of the original implant. This is known as revision surgery. Revision knee replacement is a specialised area of orthopaedics and can be more complex than the initial operation. It may require a highly experienced surgical team, advanced hospital resources, and, in some situations, additional medical support.

Knee arthroscopy is a form of keyhole surgery using a narrow pencil sized fibre-optic camera and light to look inside the knee joint. This allows the surgeon to assess for damage in the knee and perform corrective procedures as needed. Knee arthroscopy is performed as a day procedure and involves a general anaesthetic.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery is keyhole surgery using a narrow pencil sized fibre-optic camera and light to look inside the knee joint. During the procedure, the torn ACL is reconstructed by replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon graft, which acts as a new, stabilising ligament for the knee.

Many orthopaedic knee conditions may not require surgery and can be effective managed through different methods including physiotherapy, modifying activities, medication and braces.