Knee Treatments – Hip & Knee Surgeon Manchester

Total or Partial Knee Replacement

A knee replacement involves replacing the worn out areas of your knee with a smooth metal on plastic surface. It is commonly indicated for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post traumatic wear.

A partial knee replacement option is also available for knee conditions affecting only a single compartment.

Knee Injections

Common joint injections performed under local anaesthetic are:

Steroid: injection of a steroid into the knee joint assist in relieving pain and inflammation from arthritis.
Viscosupplementation is an alternative injection to steroid which involves the insertion of lubricating fluid, known as hyaluronic acid, into the knee joint. This is commonly used for mild to moderate chondropathy.

Knee Arthroscopy

Key hole surgery of the knee is used to assess knee pathology but also treat conditions of the meniscus and cartilage in the knee. This is commonly a day case surgical procedure.

Meniscal injuries can be treated with either repair (with a suture) or debridement. Cartilage injuries can be treated with either microfracture, or cartilage replacement techniques such as AMIC.

PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

This injection involves taking your own blood (autologous), spinning down in a centrifuge, enabling a high concentration of growth factors to be isolated which is then injected back into your knee. Contact us for further details.

Knee Health Glossary

Whether you are dealing with a sports injury or long-term “wear and tear,” understanding the terminology is the first step toward recovery. Here is a glossary of common knee conditions and treatments.

Often called “degenerative joint disease,” this is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective articular cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, eventually causing bone-to-bone friction.

An autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means your immune system attacks healthy cells in your joints by mistake. In the knee, it causes the joint lining to swell, which can eventually damage the joint tissue and cause chronic pain.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). Tears usually occur during forceful twisting or pivoting of the knee.

This refers specifically to damage of the smooth, white tissue (articular cartilage) covering the bone surfaces. Unlike skin or muscle, cartilage has a very poor blood supply, meaning it does not easily heal itself once nicked or worn away.

Viscosupplementation: A procedure where a thick fluid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint. It acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, helping the joint move more smoothly—similar to adding oil to a rusty hinge.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): A “biologic” treatment that uses a concentration of the patient’s own platelets. A blood sample is spun in a centrifuge to isolate these platelets, which are then injected into the knee to release growth factors that may help repair damaged tissue.

A minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery. A surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a tiny camera (arthroscope) and specialized tools to diagnose and treat problems, such as trimming a torn meniscus or removing loose fragments of bone or cartilage.