You rely on your knees to help you remain active, mobile and functional, usually without giving any conscious thought to them.
When your knees are working normally, any movements they make are easy, smooth and pain-free. If your knee is damaged in any way and no longer able to work as it normally does, movement of your knee can become stiff, slow, and often incredibly painful.
The knee is a weight-bearing joint, so even relatively minor problems in it can have a big impact on daily life. You may no longer be able to take part in your favourite exercise, drive, or complete simple, everyday tasks. Many people experiencing this feel worried about losing their independence. Although living with knee pain can be challenging, there are many options available to help treat, manage, and even eliminate knee pain.
At The Mount Alvernia Hospital in Guildford, we treat people based in Guildford, Cranleigh, Haslemere, Horsham, and further afield. If you would like to find out more about our orthopaedic services, you can call us or book an appointment with one of our specialists online.
Many people will find their knee pain resolves itself naturally over a short period of time. In other cases, knee pain may be particularly severe or debilitating, or just not seem to get any better. If this is your experience, you may well feel desperate for some help.
We asked one of our consultant orthopaedic surgeons working at Mount Alvernia to describe the difference the right treatment can make to a person struggling with knee pain. They said:
“Knee pain can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. At its worst, it can be debilitating, affecting daily activities and someone’s ability to sleep. However, even more minor pain can lead to loss of function and prevent a person from enjoying exercise and hobbies, which has knock-on effects on health and mental wellbeing.
With the correct treatment, be that physiotherapy, injections, or surgery, I have seen rapid relief of pain and a huge improvement in patients’ function, quality of life and wellbeing.”
Mr Oliver Templeton-Ward, Orthopaedic Consultant
Statistics about knee pain in Guildford
In 2017, the Office for National Statistics estimated that the resident population of Guildford was 147,800. The population of Surrey was projected to increase by 11% over the following 25 years1, so this number will be significantly higher today.
Surrey County Council itself estimates2 that 84,465 people in the county have osteoarthritis in the knee, a common cause of knee pain that will often require some form of treatment as it progresses. Of those, 25,740 are estimated to have severe osteoarthritis in the knee.
When osteoarthritis progresses to the severe stage, pain and stiffness is incredibly debilitating and many treatments will no longer be effective at managing these symptoms. Knee replacement surgery may be advised as the best option to get you out of pain and back to better, easier movement again.
As the population of Guildford increases, the number of people struggling with osteoarthritis in the knee – and hence those needing some type of treatment (whether non-surgical or surgical) – will also go up.
At Mount Alvernia Hospital, there are many effective treatments for knee pain available without delay. Most people will find that their knee pain can be managed, and often resolved completely, with non-surgical treatments.
We asked one of our consultant knee orthopaedic surgeons working at Mount Alvernia to describe how a knee replacement diagnosis may be made.
“I will discuss a patient’s symptoms with them and carry out a clinical examination of their knee and other areas to make sure the knee is the main pain generator.
"Surgery should always be the last and correct option so I will refer patients for relevant investigations which may include, X-ray, MRI scans or blood tests. Mount Alvernia has a comprehensive imaging department so these can be arranged quickly and easily.”
Once the results of any investigations are back, we discuss all the treatment options available to you. If knee replacement surgery is recommended, this will be arranged for you as soon as possible. “I normally perform partial knee replacements as a day case surgical procedure and total knee replacements can usually go home the following day after surgery and carefully tailored physiotherapy.
“Whether a patient requires a full or partial knee replacement, my approach is to work within a multidisciplinary team of radiologists and physiotherapists to improve the outcome of the surgery. Having those experts involved ensures that the patient has a much quicker mobilisation rate, shorter hospital stay, quicker return to everyday activities, thereby generating a superior outcome all round for my patients.
The way people describe their knee pain when they see our consultants at Mount Alvernia varies considerably. Commonly used words include throbbing, aching, sharp and stabbing pain in the knee.
Some people may only get pain in the knee after certain types of exercise, like jogging or cycling. Others will find that they can tune the pain out well in the day, but then find it hard to ignore at night while lying in bed.
Knee pain can sometimes be referred pain, caused by a problem in the hip or back. This is why your consultant will often examine your entire leg and the hip during your initial consultation at Mount Alvernia.
Some problems in the knee may cause very few obvious symptoms, while others may cause the knee to feel hot or to appear red or swollen.
You may have:
- Left or right knee pain
- Pain on the inside of the knee
- Pain on the outside of the knee
- Pain under the kneecap (patella) itself
Whatever type of knee pain you have, and wherever it is in the knee, treatment can only be given once the cause of your pain has been diagnosed. Your GP or local physiotherapist may be helpful in giving you advice for treating mild to moderate knee pain, but for more severe or long-lasting pain, it is sensible to see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for expert assessment and treatment.
Although basic to look at from the outside, the inside of your knee is an incredibly intricate and delicate combination of menisci, ligaments, cartilage and bone. If any of these become damaged, you may get knee pain.
Damage to a knee can be caused by acute trauma, like as a heavy blow from a rugby tackle or a road traffic accident. Depending on the type, force and direction of the blow, damage may be relatively mild, like a sprain or strain, or more severe, like a fracture or dislocation.
The most common cause of knee pain we see at Mount Alvernia Hospital is probably a meniscal tear. Meniscal tears can occur at any age, and are a very common cause of knee pain. They can be as a result of an injury or in older patients caused by degenerative changes in the knee. Certain types of meniscal tears can require surgery but often the symptoms will resolve over time on their own. Examination and imaging can be helpful to find out what type of tear you have and will allow the consultant to offer you advice as how best to manage the symptoms.
Four main ligaments in the knee help maintain stability and strength in the joint. Damage to any of these ligaments can cause pain and instability in the knee. The most commonly damaged ligament in the knee is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
As we age, all our joints, including our knee, will experience a degree of natural wear and tear. This will often cause a bit of stiffness or mild pain in the joint.
Some conditions can accelerate this natural process, one of the most common being osteoarthritis in the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK and causes the smooth lining on the ends of the bones (articular cartilage) to break down.
This means that the bones in the knee are no longer able to move over one another smoothly. Increased friction as the bones begin to grate against each other whenever the knee is moved causes pain and stiffness in the joint. The severity of pain and stiffness usually corresponds to how badly the articular cartilage is damaged.
Each knee contains several fluid-filled sacs, known as bursae. These act a bit like shock absorbers in a car, cushioning and then dissipating strong forces within the joint to prevent damage. If a bursa becomes inflamed or is damaged, it may cause knee pain.
Whatever the cause of your knee pain, fast access to treatment is available for you at Mount Alvernia Hospital. With an experienced team of knee specialists, you will get the help you need without delay.
Private consultations are available at dedicated clinics from 8am to 8pm five days a week, so you will be able to book a time that is convenient for you.
Your consultant will talk with you about your knee pain and carry out an examination of your leg, hip, and possibly back. If any diagnostic tests are needed, these are easily arranged for you on-site.
Treatment for knee pain in most cases will often be non-surgical, like physiotherapy, pain relief, anti-inflammatory medication, or joint injections. Some people find that use ice or heat helps to ease their knee pain.
If surgery is needed, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments, including (but not limited to):
Many types of surgery can now be carried out using minimally invasive keyhole surgery. With this approach, pain is reduced, scarring is less visible and recovery is usually quicker.
If you are struggling with any type of knee pain, we can help you get the support you need. Mount Alvernia Hospital is a short two-minute drive from Guildford town centre, making it very easy to get to us.
You will always see a consultant for expert-led assessment, treatment and follow-up.
With quick, easy access to a team of knee pain specialists, it’s not surprising that so many of the people who come to us are referred by their GP, physiotherapist, sports physiotherapist or osteopath.
We know just how horrible long-term or severe knee pain can be. It can stop you doing the things you most enjoy and limit your mobility and independence. It would be our privilege to help you get the treatment you need, so that you can get out of pain and back to a better quality of life again.
If you would like to find out more about our orthopaedic services, you can call us or book an appointment with one of our specialists online.
Content reviewed by Mr Oliver Templeton-Ward in August 2022. Next review due August 2025.
Sources
1 They Surrey Context, Surrey-i: https://www.surreyi.gov.uk/jsna/surrey-context/
2 Long Term Conditions, Surrey-i: https://www.surreyi.gov.uk/jsna/long-term-conditions/
