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Knee Surgery
The knee is a complex hinge joint. It is susceptible to both injury and arthritis with frequent presenting symptoms including pain, catching and instability.
Our knee specialists at The Orthopaedic Group are skilled in the assessment of knee pathology in all ages and can help you manage your symptoms with advice on non-operative treatments, as well as the full range of surgical options supported by the best technology.
Our team uses all current technologies including custom planned joint replacement and robotic assisted surgery to deliver accurate operations.
Conditions
Knee Arthritis
Knee Arthritis
Arthritis describes a loss of cartilage from a joint resulting in pain, stiffness and a loss of function. Commonly it is described as “osteoarthritis” when attributed to wear and tear. It can be caused by inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or following injury or infection. Patients typically describe an aching type of knee pain, aggravated by activity and often worse in the evening. It may affect one, two, or all three of the compartments of the knee.
Meniscal Tear
Meniscal Tear
The meniscus (or menisci) are C shaped discs of cartilage, which sit on either side of the knee joint. It has a number of functions including cushioning (or protecting) the cartilage on the ends of the bone. It is common to tear the meniscus through activity – particularly twisting episodes – which can cause a sharp pain on either side of the knee, and may also cause clicking, catching, or locking.
Ligamentous Injury
Ligamentous Injury
The knee is held together by bands of tissue known as ligaments. These provide stability to the knee. The ligaments on either side of the knee are called collateral ligaments (medial and lateral), and the two ligaments on the inside of the knee are called cruciate ligaments (anterior and posterior). The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments, often occurring as a result of a pivoting or twisting injury during sport. This can leave the knee feeling unstable, with an inability to return to sport or other normal activities. It is possible to injure more than one ligament at a time, making for a more complex injury and increasing the potential for ongoing instability.
Patellofemoral Instability
Patellofemoral Instability
The patella or kneecap sits at the front of the knee and is important in the function of knee movement. A patellar dislocation is a common injury where the patella moves out to the side of the knee which can be significantly painful and may go on to happen in a recurring manner. This can cause issues with normal day to day function, particularly getting in and out of a chair or going up and down stairs, as well as returning to sport.
Knee Procedures
- Total knee replacement
Total knee replacement surgery is one of most successful surgeries. It involves removing the damaged and worn out joint and replacing it with an artificial joint that relieves pain, restores movement and function. The goal of the surgery is to help patients remain active, improve their pain and restore quality of life.
- Partial knee replacement
In certain circumstances where only part of the knee is worn out, it may be suitable to do a partial knee replacement where only that part of the joint is replaced. This may allow for a better functioning than a total knee replacement but may not be suitable for all patients.
- Revision knee replacement
Although highly successful at relieving pain, total knee replacements or partial knee replacements can wear out over time or be damaged by injury or infection. This may require some or all of the parts of the joint to be replaced again, known as a revision knee replacement. This is a more complicated procedure, performed by a smaller number of surgeons.
- Knee arthroscopy
Arthroscopy describes the use of a camera and specialist tools to work inside the joint. This is done through small keyhole incisions in the skin and in the knee. Arthroscopy can be used to treat injuries to the meniscus or the cartilage surfaces or to allow for stabilisation procedures for the patellofemoral joint.
- Ligament reconstruction
Following ligament injury, it may be appropriate to reconstruct the ligament with tissue or graft from the tendon around the knee. Most commonly the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction takes tissue from the patient’s own knee and uses it to reconstruct the cruciate ligament by passing it through tunnels in the knee, allowing the patient to have a stable, functioning knee so they can return to normal activities, including sport.
- Patellofemoral stabilisation
In cases of recurrent patellofemoral instability, it may be appropriate to stabilise the patellofemoral joint. This may involve a combination of bony and soft tissue procedures to try to improve alignment, and restore more normal anatomy to prevent dislocation.
Operating Technology
The Orthopaedic Group WA uses the most up to date technologies in surgical care.
The Orthopaedic group uses the most up to date technologies in surgical care. This includes the use of custom computer planning and modelling in arthroplasty and osteotomy, as well as robotic assisted joint replacement. These tools give your surgeon a range of options that assist in delivering the surgical plan correctly for each individual.
Knee Surgery Specialists
Jonathan Spencer
Bachelor of Science in Anatomy (Honours)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (England)
Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons (Trauma and Orthopaedics) (England)
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (Orthopaedics)
Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association
- Shoulder Surgery
- Elbow Surgery
- Knee Surgery
