Private Knee Surgery Darlington

Damage to the knee joint can be caused by injury or disease, and invariably this leads to pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.

Some of the possible causes include:

• Torn cartilage: This can be from sporting injury or can occur as part of the degenerative ageing process
• Tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): Due to abrupt twisting motions, commonly found in sports like football or hockey
• Osteoarthritis (general wear and tear of the joint)
• Patella (kneecap) issues
• Fractures

During your initial consultation with one of our knee specialists, they will talk you through your symptoms and the best treatment options for you.

Options for surgery usually depend on the severity of your symptoms. Many knee issues respond well to non-invasive treatments, with no need for surgery to be considered. This is especially true when a condition has been caught early.

Early management for conditions such as arthritis may include pain relief, and a personalised programme set up by our dedicated physiotherapy team to help keep the joint mobile and flexible. Some of the common symptoms our knee specialists see include:

• Pain of the patella (kneecap) rarely needs surgical intervention, and is often managed well with physiotherapy.
• Injections into the knee help to relieve swelling and inflammation as well as providing pain relief. These can be repeated a number of times if they prove effective.
• Weight loss can also have a significant effect on reducing your symptoms, as the knee has less pressure placed on it, therefore offering a greater chance of healing.
• Cartilage problems can often be addressed with a knee arthroscopy. This is a form of keyhole surgery and can be done as a day case procedure, where your consultant makes small incisions in your knee, allowing them to introduce a camera and surgical tools to investigate and repair cartilage damage.
• ACL reconstruction is normally a day case procedure and is performed in a similar way.

Knee replacements are typically used for those with severe cases of osteoarthritis. This tends to require a 1-2 night stay on the ward, where you will be supported by staff until you are able to go home. Knee replacements can be carried out in one of two ways:

• Partial knee replacement
• Total knee replacement

A partial knee replacement can be a good option when only part of the knee is arthritic. Patients often report having a more ‘natural’ functioning knee, with quicker recovery times as it involves less surgery.

A total knee replacement involves removing the entire damaged knee joint, replacing with an artificial joint. 90% of knee replacement surgeries at Woodlands Hospital take this form. It is a bigger procedure with a longer recovery, but gets it all done at once.

One of the huge advantages to knee replacement surgery at Woodlands is the availability of robotic-assisted/computer-assisted surgery. We have both a MAKO robot for robotics-assisted surgery and the CORI Surgical System. These are only offered privately, and allow for a greater degree of accuracy when balancing the knee. Whereas standard knee replacements can be 5-10 degrees out, assistance from the MAKO robot ensures the surgery is accurate to one degree/millimetre. The greater precision also means there is less peripheral damage to the knee and surrounding muscles during surgery, further reducing recovery time.

When you come to Woodlands for your initial consultation, your consultant will ask for a detailed medical history, including a history of the symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

They will want to know:

• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Are you in pain? If so, can you describe it – is it a stabbing pain? Constant or intermittent?
• Has it got any worse recently? Have you had any treatment previously?
• Are you on any medication?

This is then followed by a physical examination, where your consultant will press and manipulate the affected knee to investigate the symptoms you’ve mentioned. They will then wish to see an x-ray of your knee. You may already have had an x-ray previously, but if not, this can be arranged on-site in our imaging department.

This is often enough to make a diagnosis, but some conditions may require an MRI to assess the soft tissues in your knee. With these findings, your consultant can start to outline all your treatment options, allowing you to make an informed decision.

Sometimes, your consultant will suggest starting out with conservative measures, such as physiotherapy or injections, progressing towards surgery if these are ineffective in reducing your symptoms. For those with severe symptoms, surgery may be the logical choice from the beginning, and this will likely be evident during the diagnostic stage.

Whatever the diagnosis, your consultant will offer you a range of options, explaining the expected outcomes and addressing any recovery goals you may have. Supported by expert surgeons, radiographers, physiotherapists, and an experienced nursing team, you’ll be in capable hands at every stage of your journey.

Choosing to have your private knee surgery done at Woodlands comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Conditions affecting the knee are best treated at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms, our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient satisfaction – 98.1% of patients in 2024 said they would be likely or extremely likely to recommend their consultant to their friends or family. 96% also said that their overall experience of the nursing care was very good or excellent. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Day case procedures – Some minor procedures can be done on the same day as your initial consultation, making Woodlands a ‘one-stop shop’ for certain treatments and procedures.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• A multi-disciplinary approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely alongside a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available between 10am and 8.30pm Monday-Saturday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. This also includes 4 electric vehicle charging points. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train. We are also a short walk from multiple bus stops, including Morton Park Way (Morrisons) and Yarm Road.

If your knee has been causing you problems, book a consultation with one of our orthopaedic surgeons today. For peace of mind and expert care, contact the team on 01325 968 195, or book an appointment online now.

Accessing private healthcare with us is easy, whether you choose to pay directly or use private medical insurance.

If you are paying for yourself, we can usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or access one of our easy payment options.

If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. There are usually only three steps to accessing private treatment using insurance:

• Speak to your GP: Let your GP know that you have private medical insurance during your appointment with them. Ask them to refer you to Woodlands Hospital, and in you have already chosen which consultant you would like to see, let your GP know their name so they can give you a specific referral letter. The letter should include the hospital and consultant name, as well as the recommended treatment. Your GP can also give you a referral letter with no specified consultant.
• Speak to us: Once you have your referral letter from your GP, give our friendly Patient Liaison Officers a call on 01325 341786. If your GP gets in touch with us directly with your referral, we will be in touch with you.
• Speak to your insurer: After speaking to your GP, ensure that you call your insurer and activate your insurance. Have your insurance details to hand when you call, as they will need it to confirm that the treatment you need is covered by our policy. If the treatment is not covered but you would still like to go private, you can explore alternative methods.

For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Woodlands Hospital first opened in Darlington in 2001, and we have been treating patients from Darlington and the wider area ever since.

We are located on Morton Park Way, opposite Dunelm and Premier Inn and over the road from Morrisons. Darlington Train Station is approximately 3.5 miles away and there is a taxi rank at the station with cabs available throughout the day. We are also a short walk from numerous bus routes, with stops at Morrisons and on Yarm Road. We are a short distance from local attractions such as Hopetown, the brick train sculpture and the Hippodrome.

We have free parking available on-site, with 4 electric vehicle charging points. The hospital has an accessible entrance, however please do let a member of the team know if you require a wheelchair and one of our friendly porters can assist you into the building.

Each of our rooms feature an en-suite for added comfort and privacy. The rooms are spacious with a remote controlled TV and free Wi-Fi available during your stay. Our catering team are on-hand to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular mealtimes. We offer a range of choices available, please do let us know of any special dietary requirements you have prior to your admission.

As well as offering surgery, we have a number of fantastic facilities on-site at Woodlands.

Our physiotherapy department consists of many experienced senior physiotherapists with a range of clinical interests including hand, women's health and men's health. We also have a fully equipped gymnasium, including an anti-gravity treadmill, exercise bike and numerous weights. The team will work closely with you to reach your goals, and you can self refer to book an appointment. If you're interested, please give the team a call on 01325 341712 and choose option 2.

We also have imaging facilities on-site, including a wide-bore MRI scanner, x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and access to a CT scanner. Please note: appointments for any imaging service at Woodlands Hospital can only be made once the department receives a referral from a GMC-registered consultant. For more information, please give our friendly enquiry team a call on 01325 968 195.