Keyhole surgery for knee problems at The Princess Margaret Hospital
A knee arthroscopy is a keyhole operation, meaning it is performed through small cuts in your skin. Your surgeon, usually an orthopaedic consultant, will use specially designed surgical tools to access your knee joint through these small cuts.
At The Princess Margaret Hospital, we have a wide network of brilliant knee surgeons in Windsor who can perform a knee arthroscopy to diagnose and treat your knee pain.
To find out more, call us or book an appointment online.
Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment fees are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over 10 months to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR.
If you have private health insurance, knee replacement surgery will usually be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.
*This is a guide price for patients who are paying for their own treatment. The actual cost of your treatment will be confirmed in writing at the time of booking.
This type of arthritis causes chronic pain and stiffness, which in turn has a negative impact on your movement. This is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. It happens when the smooth cartilage which protects your joints from damage becomes worn down over time. It tends to happen as you get older and your joints become worn down.
This is a painful inflammatory joint condition caused by an autoimmune process, which occurs when your body mistakenly attacks its healthy cells. This often causes severe pain, swelling, inflammation and limited mobility.
Your ACL is a tough band of tissue in your knee joint that joins your thigh bone to your shin bone. It runs diagonally through the inside of your knee, helping to control the back-and-forth movement of your lower leg and to stabilise your knee joint. If you have a torn ACL, you might struggle to put weight on your knee, making walking and balancing difficult.
Fractures are typically caused by a traumatic injury such as a contact sports injury, but they can sometimes be caused by a condition that weakens your knee bone, such as osteoporosis. A knee fracture can cause symptoms such as bruising, swelling, and severe pain.
Bursitis happens when the fluid filled sacs (known as bursa) that cushion and protect your joints become inflamed. This can result in pain and swelling in your joints. Usually it presents as a dull, aching pain that can persist even when you take traditional painkillers or try gentle stretching.
Whatever the cause of your knee pain, our consultants at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor can help by performing an arthroscopy to help treat and manage your pain.
During this initial appointment, your consultant will ask about your general health and medical history. They will want to know about any existing medical conditions, as well as the current knee pain symptoms you are experiencing.
In order to assess your symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis of your pain, your consultant will next carry out a gentle physical examination of your knee. In some cases, they might also send you to get an X-ray, which will be done onsite by one of our radiologists. All of this helps your consultant to make a diagnosis of the cause of your knee pain.
Once they have identified what's causing your knee problems, they will share more information about surgery and whether it could be the right treatment for you. A knee arthroscopy is used both to diagnose and to treat knee pain. Various procedures can be performed during this type of operation, so it can be used to treat a variety of knee problems.
The time you'll wait between your initial consultation and having surgery (or any other treatment you're recommended) will differ from person to person. For example, someone who has suffered a traumatic injury may need to be seen very quickly. Your consultant will provide you with a fixed timeline for treatment.
We continually invest millions in our state-of-the-art facilities, which include MRI machines and sophisticated scanning units managed by specialist radiologists. We offer robotic-assisted surgery, helping us tailor your treatment to your unique anatomy. Our robotic technology uses a 3D software that helps our consultants build a joint replacement based entirely on your anatomical needs.
We also have specialist physiotherapy gyms to help you recover as soon as possible follow your treatment. These gyms are fully equipped with a rower, specialist balance equipment, a bike, and more. We also have a restaurant open daily with a wide selection of hot and cold foods, catering to all dietary needs.
Your private room will be complete with temperature control, as well as a television, telephone, and nurse call system. Your ensuite wetroom will feature an accessible toilet and shower to help you use the bathroom safely. Your healthcare team will be on hand to get you whatever you need to feel as comfortable as possible during your stay with us.
"The hospital is very well organised and clean. The staff are welcoming and efficient, and my care was excellent. Amazing facilities and super quick wait time. I was in and out of the building in 15 minutes. Thank you guys!"
Your consultant will begin by making three small incisions in the skin on the side of your knee to create portals (holes) in your knee joint. An arthroscope (a thin tube with a camera and a light attached to the end of it) is passed through one of the incisions in your knee.
Your consultant will pass a specialist instrument through one of the incisions in your knee to repair any damage to your joint. The type of instrument they use will depend on your diagnosis and. The process can involve removing or trimming any damaged tissue or cartilage in your joint.
An arthroscopy can take between 30 minutes to two hours to perform, but this will depend on the type of procedure that you have. You will usually be able to return home the same day of your surgery, or the following day.
We are based within a residential area on a main road, less than a five-minute drive from Windsor Castle, and a 15-minute drive from Heathrow airport. We are also a 10-minute walk away from Windsor town centre.
Yes, we have 80 parking spaces, including disabled spaces. We also have two electric charging points.
We see children from zero to 18 years through our outpatient services, and people from three to 18 years for day-case and inpatient procedures.
Yes, we offer Mako® robotics-assisted surgery, helping your consultant perform your surgery with greater precision and accuracy. Traditional surgery is highly effective, but robotics-assisted surgery can offer additional benefits, including a faster recovery time.
You should be able to leave hospital on the same day as surgery, but this depends on your individual circumstances. We will advise when it is safe for you to leave, and ensure you have all the information and equipment you need to continue your recovery at home.
How long it takes you to return to work will depend on factors including your reasons for having surgery, your job, and how your recovery goes. Some people are able to return to work within a week or two, however if you have a manual or very physically demanding job, you may need to take between 4-12 weeks off work.
Your consultant will be able to give you a timeline based on your personal circumstances.
Most people can drive between five and seven days after a knee arthroscopy, however it does vary from person to person, depending on the details of your surgery and how your recovery is going. As a general rule, you should not drive until you can walk easily, have good movement in your knee, and can perform an emergency stop with no pain.
We recommend speaking to your car insurance company, too, as some policies will have specific restrictions after surgery.
If you want to know more about a knee arthroscopy and find out if it's the right treatment for you, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
Reception: 01753 743434
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm
Sat: 8am-1pm
80 spaces and 2 electric vehicle charging stations
