Knee surgery in Chertsey, Surrey

We offer rapid access to private knee specialists who can help with ACL problems, knee replacements, treatments for knee injuries and knee cartilage surgery.

If less invasive treatments aren't enough to manage your pain, your consultant might suggest knee surgery. If this is the case, you will receive more information about what this will involve, including how to prepare for surgery and the benefits of undergoing a knee operation. We want to make sure you feel informed and involved throughout the whole process, so we will also provide you with detailed information about your recovery period.

The Runnymede Hospital is in the historic town of Chertsey in Surrey. People come to us from all over Surrey, including Hersham, Walton on Thames, West Byfleet, Cobham, Esher, Woking and Byfleet. We also welcome patients from further afield, and even overseas.

You might be wondering whether you're eligible for knee surgery. Usually, knee surgery is recommended when other treatment options have not helped you manage your knee pain enough to improve your quality of life. If you have tried knee surgery alternatives (other forms of treatment available to treat knee pain) and have found these unsuccessful, knee surgery could be the best option for you.

Common knee surgery alternatives include:

Knee injection therapy

Also known as steroid injection therapy, this treatment involves injecting steroid medication into your painful knee joint. It can be effective at reducing swelling and inflammation and lowering your pain levels.

Heat therapy

Your doctor might recommend using heat therapy (in the form of icepacks or heat pads) to manage your pain. This can be an effective way of reducing swelling or numbing pain, if needed.

Physiotherapy for joint pain

A physiotherapist will work with you to build a tailored exercise plan to help strengthen your knee muscles and relieve any tension or pain around your joint.

Physiotherapy can be an alternative to knee replacement surgery, and it is also used to help people recover faster from a knee replacement operation. If you have knee surgery with Circle, you'll be seen by a specialist physiotherapist who will guide you through a set of knee replacement exercises to perform throughout your recovery.

These can help you to get better more quickly and should give you the best chance of a full recovery.

Your consultant will monitor your knee health and whether it improves with these treatment options. If it does not, they might recommend knee surgery.

You can usually see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for your first appointment within 48 hours of booking your appointment with us.

What will your consultant ask you?

Your initial consultation is a chance for your specialist to find out as much as they can about you and your knee. They will ask you lots of questions about your health, and they'll examine your medical history in detail. they want to know about both previous and existing medical conditions, whether you are taking any medications or currently undergoing any treatments for your knee pain, and whether anything has helped to ease your knee problems in the past.

They will ask you personal questions too, perhaps about your hobbies and interests and how your pain has affected your ability to enjoy these. This is because they want to understand what's important to you and why you are seeking treatment for knee pain. They want to know how long you've been in pain, how and when the pain began, and how it impacts your daily life.

In order to assess your symptoms properly and make an accurate diagnosis of your knee pain, your consultant will gently carry out a physical examination of your knee joint(s). They want to evaluate how you move your knee joint and in which positions it causes you the most pain. Sometimes your consultant will request an X-ray to help confirm their diagnosis. If so, this will be performed by one of our radiographers. Other diagnostic testing that could be used includes CT scanning and blood tests.

What should you ask your consultant?

After your consultant has confirmed the cause of your knee pain, they will share more information about knee replacement surgery and whether it might be the right treatment option for you. They will also discuss other potential treatments for your knee pain to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of your options.

Your consultant is there to answer any questions you might have about knee replacement surgery and to alleviate any concerns you might have about undergoing surgery, or any other treatment. Please don't hesitate to ask any and every question that comes into your head. No question is silly, no question is too small. We want you to feel as informed and involved as possible.

How long will I wait for knee surgery?

The exact timeframe will differ from person to person, but in general you will have fast access to treatment, without a waiting list. There shouldn't be any delays, and you can pick a time and date that are convenient for you.

The cost of your knee surgery at The Runnymede Hospital will vary depending on your diagnosis and medical history. At our hospital, the types of knee surgery that we offer include:

Knee arthroscopy starting from £4,106*

A knee arthroscopy is an operation where a few small incisions are made around your knee joint to allow an arthroscope (a thin tube with a camera attached to the end) to be passed into the joint. Your Orthopaedic Surgeon will use this arthroscope to examine the inside of your joint and find the cause of symptoms such as persistent knee pain, swelling or stiffness. If possible, treatment will also be given during the arthroscopy

Total knee replacement surgery starting from £13,089*

Total knee replacement surgery is recommended damage to more than one part of your knee. This could be caused by arthritis or a trauma (an injury) to your knee. Your total replacement surgery will involve removing and replacing the damaged ends of your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) with artificial components, also known as a prosthesis. This might be made of plastic, ceramics, metal, or a combination of these materials.

Partial knee replacement surgery starting from £12,322*

Partial knee replacement surgery will be recommended if the damage is only to one part of your knee joint. This damaged part is removed and replaced with a prosthesis (an artificial component). Your Orthopaedic Surgeon will secure this prosthesis in place using bone cement (a synthetic paste) or cover this prosthesis in special coatings that allow it to attach to your bone.

Knee revision surgery starting from £20,900*

Over time, the prosthesis used in knee replacement surgery (whether total or partial) is subject to wear and tear. Eventually, the artificial joint will need to be fixed or replaced. In this instance, you'll be recommended knee revision surgery. 

_{*This is a guide price for treatment when paying for yourself. Your initial consultation and diagnostics are not included in the price. Prices are confirmed in writing after your initial consultation with a Consultant Specialist. Aftercare may vary depending on your treatment. Further terms and conditions apply.}

You might need knee replacement surgery if your knee is severely damaged, either by injury or from a chronic joint pain condition such as arthritis. At The Runnymede Hospital in Chertsey, our network of orthoapedic surgeons are highly skilled in performing total and partial knee replacement surgery.

What happens during knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is usually performed either under general anaesthetic, spinal anaesthetic, or epidural. Under general anesthetic, you will not be awake. When under spinal anaesthetic or epidural, you will be awake but numb from the waist down. If this is the case, you will probably be given a sedative too, so you are unlikely to remember the procedure.

During a total knee replacement operation, your orthopaedic surgeon will first create an incision in your knee to access your patella (kneecap). This is moved aside to provide access to your joint. Your surgeon will then remove the damaged ends of your femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). The ends of these bones are measured and shaped to fit your prosthesis. But before this is fitted, your orthopaedic surgeon will test your joint with a trial prosthesis.

Once the prosthesis is ready to be fitted, your surgeon will replace the end of your femur with a curved metal piece, while a metal plate will replace the end of your tibia. They will position a plastic spacer between these two metal parts to minimise friction. Total knee replacement surgery could also include replacing the back of your patella (kneecap), but this will depend on the extent of damage to your knee.

If you are having partial knee replacement surgery to remove and replace a specific damaged part, surgery can be performed using a smaller incision.

After your partial or total knee replacement surgery, your incision will be closed with stitches or clips and covered with a dressing.

How long will I be in surgery?

The surgery typically lasts for one to two hours, but this depends on the type of surgery your consultant is performing.

Can you damage a knee replacement?

A traumatic fall or injury can damage your knee replacement, just as it would damage your real knee. Weakness in your knee joint can lead to a loss of balance after your knee replacement, which is why it is important to follow specialist knee replacement exercises set by your physiotherapist. We talk about these in more detail below.

What is a knee implant made of?

Usually, a prosthesis is made of a metal alloy with a plastic insert. In some cases, implants are made from ceramics, or a ceramic and metal composite.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about knee surgery at The Runnymede Hospital, 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 September 2022. Next review due September 2025.