Keyhole knee surgery

A torn meniscus or damaged cartilage sometimes needs surgery to remove or repair the damaged area. This is normally done through keyhole knee surgery, and I am keen to individualise the procedure to each patient to get the best results.

Although patients require a general anaesthetic, most go home the same day, after 6-8 hours. If a torn meniscus is repaired, crutches may be needed for 4-6 weeks to give time to the meniscus to heal. However if damaged meniscus or cartilage was removed, patients are allowed to bear weight immediately, and may not need crutches at all. 

A torn cruciate ligament (ACL) often needs surgery to allow patients to get back to sports. However, there is a risk of re-tear, and I choose the best graft to suit the patient's needs to reduce the risk of a re-tear. Unlike some surgeons who use only one graft for all patients, I am trained to harvest and use several different choices of graft from around the knee. These include:

- One or two hamstring tendons,

- Quadriceps quadriceps tendon. 

For MCL and PCL reconstruction, I use an artificial (synthetic) ligament which is much stronger than the patient's own tissue. This provides a more reliable rehabilitation and recovery. 

Thus I can offer patients a personalised approach to their surgery, with better long-term outcomes.