Orthopaedic surgery in Bromley

Orthopaedic surgery is a speciality dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions affecting your musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, cartilage, ligament, tendons and connective tissues that enable your movement. It includes acute injuries, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, and more.

Your musculoskeletal system is extremely important to your wellbeing, as it works to support your body weight, maintain your posture, and help you move around. When issues start to affect your musculoskeletal system, they can quickly cause pain and mobility problems that have a knock-on effect on your quality of life. Although many orthopaedic issues affecting your musculoskeletal system can be treated with conservative treatment methods, there are times when surgery is necessary.

Your healthcare team at The Sloane Hospital

Our highly knowledgeable team at The Sloane Hospital in Bromley comprises skilled orthopaedic consultants, pain management specialists, and physiotherapists. Our team offer a range of treatments for joint pain - from knee replacement surgery, to knee arthroscopy, to hip replacement surgery, and more.

The Sloane Hospital is a small, friendly Circle Health Group hospital that offers a variety of outpatient services, including physiotherapy, general admissions, and orthopaedic surgery. It has 32 day-case rooms, the majority of which are single rooms with ensuite facilities.

Despite its small size, the Sloane Hospital offers the latest in technology and on-site support services, meaning that consultants are able to take on a wide range of different procedures, from routine investigations to complex surgeries.

As there are so many potential orthopaedic issues, there is a wide range of symptoms associated with them. The symptoms you experience will depend on the underlying cause of your condition.

However, some of the most common reasons why people seek a referral to a specialist orthopaedic team include the following symptoms:

• A deformed or unusually shaped joint
• Fatigue combined with joint pain
• A swollen joint that may be tender and red to the touch
• Muscle spasms
• Joint stiffness
• Limited range of motion
• Numbness, tingling or weakness
• Pain in your joint, muscle or limb that ranges from mild to severe

Many of these symptoms may come and go depending on the specific condition and your level of physical activity. In some cases, pain, stiffness and other symptoms may get worse with increased levels of activity.

There are many different types of orthopaedic surgery, although some are more commonly performed than others. Here are just a few of the orthopaedic surgeries performed by our experienced orthopaedic surgical team:

ACL reconstruction surgery

ACL reconstruction surgery is a very common procedure, particularly for patients who have suffered from a sporting injury. The surgery involves either repairing or reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, which is located behind the knee. ACL reconstruction can also be recommended for patients who have a degenerative disease, such as osteoarthritis.

Where possible, ACL surgery is performed arthroscopically, which helps to minimise the level of risk involved, and improve post-operative pain and recovery time.

Subacromial decompression

Subacromial decompression is an arthroscopic surgery most commonly used to treat shoulder impingement, or for damage to your rotator cuff. Both of these conditions can cause pain in your shoulder when raising your arm to the front or side. Surgery can help to eliminate discomfort and restore full range of motion in the shoulder.

Lumbar spine decompression

Lumbar spine decompression is a procedure that is carried out with the aim of reducing compression of the spinal cord or the nerves surrounding your spine, most often caused by a condition called spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the space in the centre of the spine narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain and affecting the way in which you walk.

Carpal tunnel treatment

Carpal tunnel surgery is performed on the wrist to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by abnormal pressure on the median nerve. Carpal tunnel surgery can help to improve function and mobility, as well as reduce the amount of pain you may be experiencing.

If you are suffering from any issues affecting your musculoskeletal system, you can ask your GP for a referral to The Sloane Hospital in Bromley.

Our specialist orthopaedic team includes orthopaedic surgeons, spinal surgeons, radiologists, physiotherapists, and more. They can offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that ensures a rapid, accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that suits your exact needs.

Joint pain can be extremely difficult to live with, but it doesn't have to be this way. We're here to help.

If you are affected in any of the ways mentioned above, you can book an appointment with one of our experienced orthopaedic consultants at The Sloane Hospital.

Your initial consultation

At your initial consultation, your surgeon will perform various assessments and examinations to determine an accurate diagnosis of your condition. This may require you to have imaging tests, such as X-Rays or CT scanning.

Your personalised treatment plan

Following your diagnosis, your surgical team will create a personalised treatment plan that reflects the best course of action to relieve your symptoms, improve your mobility, and reshape your quality of life.

It's important to note that treatment plans may be altered at any time to reflect how you respond to the therapies provided, particularly where non-surgical options are involved.

Non-surgical treatment options

Wherever possible, non-surgical therapies and treatments will be offered to try and reduce your discomfort and improve your mobility. Surgery is only ever a final option where conservative treatment methods have proved ineffective or have stopped working.

If over-the-counter medications aren't providing enough relief from your pain, your orthopaedic team at The Sloane Hospital may recommend alternative pain management options, including:

Steroid injection therapy

Also known as steroid injection therapy, this treatment involves injections of steroid medication (corticosteroid) into your painful joint. This can effectively reduce pain and inflammation, 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. Steroid injections are minimally invasive and highly effective at providing relief from pain for several months or more.

Oral anti-inflammatories

These can either be prescribed by your GP or your consultant. They reduce swelling in your joint, 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.

If these do not help alleviate your symptoms, you might need surgery. Your surgeon will assess whether other options will help before booking you in for surgery, if needed.

If you are advised that you will need orthopaedic surgery, your orthopaedic surgery team will be able to meet with you to explain the type of surgery you need and what you can expect to happen.

They will provide you with comprehensive information about what you should do ahead of your surgery, what you can expect on the day, and how long it will take you to recover. You will also be advised what rehabilitation therapies will be offered to help you return to normal, such as physiotherapy.

You will have the opportunity throughout your journey with us to ask your consultant any questions, helping provide the reassurance that you need ahead of your procedure. It can be helpful to make a note of these before your appointments.

It's crucial that you follow the advice of your team, as this will help to reduce the risks associated with your surgery and improve the speed and ease of your recovery.

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

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
• Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• 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 our services, 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 October 2022. Next review due October 2025.