Knee pain treatment in Windsor

Osteoarthritis

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.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

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.

Knee bursitis

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.

A torn ACL

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.

Whatever the cause of your knee pain, our orthopaedic consultants in Windsor at the Princess Margaret Hospital can help by providing both non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

A fracture

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.

Steroid injection therapy

Also known as steroid injection therapy, this treatment involves injections of steroid medication (corticosteroid) into your painful knee. This can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your knee, and the effects can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This form of pain relief may be recommended if you can't take oral anti-inflammatories for any reason.

Oral anti-inflammatories

These can either be prescribed by your GP or your consultant. They reduce swelling in your knee, which can lessen stiffness and pain. Your doctor might also recommend using heat therapy (in the form of icepacks or heat pads) to reduce swelling or numb your joint pain. Heat therapy can be used in addition to anti-inflammatory medication.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for joint pain comprises a specialist exercise programme designed to strengthen the muscles around your joints, improving mobility and - in taking the pressure of your joints - reducing your pain. It can be a highly effective treatment and many people see amazing results.

Knee arthroscopy

An arthroscopy can help diagnose and treat a range of distressing knee pain symptoms. It is a keyhole operation, which means it's minimally invasive and performed using a few small cuts. Your surgeon will use specially designed surgical tools to access your knee joint through a few small cuts. One of these tools will be a camera (known as an arthroscope), allowing them to see inside your knee and perform surgery.

Knee replacement surgery

Knee replacement surgery involves removing bits of your knee joint that have become damaged and replacing them with artificial elements, also known as implants or a prosthesis. This should remove the source of your pain, helping you to walk more easily and letting you get back to living life as normal.

ACL reconstruction surgery

ACL reconstruction surgery is a type of knee surgery that involves repairing or reconstructing your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This can be done using several different surgical techniques.

Knee osteotomy

An osteotomy is an operation to shorten, lengthen, or change the alignment of your bone. It is often performed to straighten a bone that has healed crookedly following a fracture.

Meniscus repair surgery

Meniscus repair keyhole surgery involves repairing your torn meniscus (passing sutures or special fixation devices into your knee through small cuts.

No matter the surgery you have with us, your treatment will be tailored to your exact needs and performed by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated healthcare professionals.

You can find guide prices for many of our most common operations on our knee surgery page.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your treatment 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 14.9% 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 price guide 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.

During this first 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 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 radiographers. 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 our treatment options, including which they think are the best for you personally.

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.

Our facilities: what you can expect

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 knee 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 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: what you can expect

Your private room will be complete with temperature control, as well as a television, telephone, and nurse call system. The ensuite 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.

"This is a brilliantly professional organisation that has made having an operation an actual pleasure. The staff, from my arrival to departure, were nothing but exceptional and brilliant at what they do. Thank you!"

Tony Martin, patient review on Google

If you are looking for a private hospital near you that offers expert treatment with truly personalised care, don't hesitate to get in touch.

How do I get to The Princess Margaret Hospital?

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.

Is there parking at The Princess Margaret Hospital?

Yes, we have 80 parking spaces, including disabled spaces. We also have two electric charging points.

Does The Princess Margaret Hospital offer treatment for children?

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.

Does The Princess Margaret Hospital offer robotic surgery?

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 has a range of benefits, including a faster recovery time.

How long do I have to stay in hospital after knee surgery?

How long you stay in hospital will depend on which type of knee surgery you are having as well as your individual circumstances. For a knee arthroscopy you might well go home on the same day, but for a knee replacement most people stay at least one night. 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.

• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• Care from a consultant of your choice
• Tasty and nutritious meals cooked onsite to your dietary requirements
• Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care

If you want to know more about knee pain treatment and discover the best course of treatment for you, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in January 2023. Next review due January 2026.

1. Knee pain, Harvard Medical Publishing
2. Knee pain, NHS
3. Knee surgery, how it’s performed, NHS