Knee surgery in Droitwich

Here at The Droitwich Spa Hospital, we provide a range of private knee treatments for people living in Worcestershire and further afield. We help people suffering with debilitating, restrictive knee pain, back to doing the things they enjoy, quickly and we would be delighted to do the same for you.

Whether it is due to general wear and tear, arthritis, or a result of a sports injury, knee pain can be really uncomfortable and there are various treatments that can help improve this dramatically, depending on your condition. If you’re struggling with knee pain, you’ll probably find yourself quite restricted in the things you’re able to do. Even simple everyday tasks like walking up and down stairs or sitting and standing up may aggravate this. You can self refer to see a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in knee surgery and they may refer you for a scan to see what type of treatment is the most suitable for you. This may be a course of physiotherapy, a steroid injection or surgery such as ACL repair or a knee replacement.

At Droitwich Spa Hospital we see many patients, living in the town of Droitwich itself, Worcester, Ombersley, Kidderminster, Hagley, Bewdley, Bromsgrove, Redditch and other surrounding areas. We have rapid access to orthopaedic specialist surgeons and imaging availability so you can be seen quickly and receive a fast diagnosis.

Your knee is a hinge joint, so called because of the way it bends. However, it also has some rotational movement, which is important for twisting and turning movements in the leg.

The knee joint is formed by the thighbone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). The kneecap (patella) sits in front of the joint.

The knee is a weight-bearing joint and is unfortunately quite prone to damage, through either trauma or disease. Any type of pain and/or stiffness in the knee can reduce movement and affect our ability to weight-bear.

The most common reason for requiring knee surgery is osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK and can affect people of all ages. As we age, our joints experience ‘wear and tear’ as we endure our normal movements and activities. Osteoarthritis causes the smooth cartilage lining the end of the bones in the knee to break down more rapidly than normal.

When this happens in your knee, you’ll usually start to notice increased pain and stiffness in the knee. As osteoarthritis progresses in the joint even simple things like sitting down, standing up or walking up and down stairs can become noticeably harder. You may eventually find yourself relying on walking aids to move around safely.

Physiotherapy or steroid injections may be discussed initially as conservative methods of treatment. However, a consultant may suggest a total or partial knee replacement procedure if they feel this is suitable for you.

Alternatively, your knee could be damaged by acute trauma. Contact sports, like rugby, can often involve heavy blows to the knee at awkward angles. Other sports like football or squash require rapid twists and turns on a weight-bearing leg. This can generate huge forces in the knee joint. Trauma to the knee may cause a bone fracture or damage to a ligament or meniscus within the joint. Again, physiotherapy and steroid / Duralane injections could help with pain relief, but a consultant may suggest an operation if this is deemed more suitable. Common knee surgery following sports injury are procedures such as an ACL repair or ACL reconstruction.

If you have knee pain, whether from trauma, disease, sports injury or age-related changes, assessment from an experienced consultant can be of invaluable help.

Revision knee replacement surgery

Another reason why you might require knee surgery is if you have previously had a partial knee replacement or total knee replacement procedure, but are experiencing further pain in the same knee. This could mean that you require a revision knee replacement procedure. If this is the case your consultant may recommend you have a scan to determine what the best course of action is and then discuss these with you.

When you meet with your Consultant, they will work with you to diagnose the cause of your knee pain.

They will take your medical history and discuss the symptoms you’re experiencing. It’s helpful for you to explain things like when your knee pain started, what movements or activities trigger or aggravate it, and whether you’ve tried any treatments already.

As well as carrying out a physical assessment of your knee, your Consultant may also arrange additional tests to help confirm diagnosis. These may be an X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, all of which can quickly and easily be carried out for you here on-site.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your Consultant will talk with you about the best approach to treatment. Not all causes of knee pain will require surgery. Depending on the cause of your pain, there are some very good non-surgical treatments that may successfully relieve your symptoms or help to delay the need for knee surgery.

Common non-surgical treatments for knee pain include: 

• Physiotherapy, 
• Pain relief medication, 
• Cortisone injection into the knee joint, 
• Weight loss. 

Should these treatments not work, or not be as effective as expected, your Consultant may recommend surgery to get you out of pain.

Knee surgery may be required for a variety of reasons, including:

• Knee arthroscopy,
• Total knee replacement,
• Partial knee replacement,
• Revision of total knee replacement,
• ACL repair and reconstruction,
• Meniscal repair,
• Menisectomy.

Knee replacement surgery - removes the damaged, worn joint surfaces in the knee with artificial ones. These new joint surfaces move freely, without causing pain or stiffness.

Arthroscopic knee surgery - Arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery. Using small cuts and a special tube with a camera and bright light at one end (arthroscope), the inside of the knee joint can be carefully examined. Small surgical instruments then used to treat damage and/or repair tears where needed. This minimally invasive approach to surgery acts as both a diagnostic aid and as surgical repair. As only small cuts are made, it can lower recovery times and reduce potential risks and complications. It is commonly used for operations like ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction or meniscal repair.

All these types of knee surgery can be carried out at The Droitwich Spa Hospital by some of the most experienced Orthopaedic Consultants in the region.

We believe you’ll find no better place to come for treatment of any knee condition. When you choose to visit with us, you’ll benefit from: 

Fast access - We can provide you with rapid access to an experienced Consultant Knee Surgeon. With prompt assessment, diagnosis and treatment, you’ll be out of pain and back to better mobility sooner. 

Peace of mind - In an independent survey, 95.7% of our patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to friends and family. Reassurance for you that you’ll be supported and looked after throughout your time with us.  

Your Consultant remains your Consultant - The consultant you choose to see for your initial consultation will be the same surgeon who will perform your surgery and see you at all your follow-up appointments. You will never have to worry about seeing a more junior doctor or a different doctor every time you visit. 

Flexible appointments - We can provide an appointment with your chosen Consultant at a time that’s most convenient for you. Consultations are normally done in person here at The Droitwich Spa, but remote consultations are also available by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate). 

Personal support - A good recovery from surgery is vital to seeing the long-term benefits of having knee surgery. Our experienced physiotherapy team will help you during your recovery, helping you to regain mobility, strength and flexibility in your knee safely and sensibly.  

Free parking - Our private car park offers easy access. Register your car at Reception when you arrive with us and you won’t need to pay for parking during your visit.