Common surgical procedures on the knee are:

Knee Arthroscopy
Several small incisions (cuts) are made on the knee through which is inserted a small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope). This allows the surgeon to look inside the joint, identify problems and, in some cases, make repairs to damaged tissue.

Total Knee Replacement
This is a surgical procedure performed on a knee joint that has become painful and/or impaired because of disease, injury or wear and tear.

In total knee replacement, artificial materials (metal and plastic) are used to replace the following damaged surfaces within the knee joint:

• the end of the thigh bone (femur)
• the end of the shin bone (tibia)
• the back of the kneecap (patella)

This operation is a major procedure which requires you to be in hospital for several days and will be followed by a significant period of rehabilitation.  

Occasionally blood transfusions are required; if you have some concerns raise this with your surgeon during consultation.

For more information about total knee replacement please click here.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a strong, stabilising ligament running through the centre of the knee between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone).

When the ACL is torn, frequently as the result of a sporting injury, arthroscopic surgery known as ACL Reconstruction is performed. The procedure involves replacement of the damaged ligament with tissue grafted from elsewhere, usually the patellar or hamstring tendon. The ends of the grafted tendon are attached to the femur at one end and the tibia at the other using screws or staples.

For more information about ACL Reconstruction please click here.

Meniscal Surgery
The menisci are two circular strips of cartilage that form a cushioning layer between the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) in the knee joint. Together the medial and lateral menisci, on the inside and outside of the knee, respectively, act as shock absorbers and distribute the weight of the body across the knee joint.

The menisci can become torn through injury or damaged from age-related wear and tear and may require surgery.

The most common meniscal surgery is partial meniscectomy in which the torn portion of the meniscus is cut away so that the cartilage surface is smooth again.
In some cases meniscal repair is carried out, in this case the torn edges of the meniscus are sutured together.
Both procedures are performed arthroscopically.

For more information please click here for meniscal tears and click here for meniscal transplant surgery.