Knee

Knee Anatomy :: Knee Arthroscopy
ACL Reconstruction :: Total Knee Replacement
Uniknee Replacement

Knee Injuries

Many of you will be well into pre season training by now, for others that pain is still to come. Football injuries and Netball injuries are common both in training as well as in competition.

With any injury, first aid treatment involves – Rest Ice Compression and Elevation (RICE). An early assessment by a physiotherapist or sports physician can be very helpful in diagnosing and treating your injury. The ultimate aim to get you back on the field as soon as possible.

Common injuries such as sprains and strains, and joint inflammation can all be treated without operation. Injuries to the cartilage, meniscus or ligaments may need surgery and should be assessed early. An MRI scan is often helpful in making a diagnosis and planning further treatment.

If your knee swells after an injury, if you hear a pop or snap, or if you have ongoing pain that doesn’t quickly settle, it may be worthwhile getting your knee seen to !

Knee Anatomy

How does the Knee joint work?
Find out more in this web based movie.

Launch Movie

Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint. Arthroscopy is a term that comes from two Greek words, arthro-, meaning joint, and -skopein, meaning to examine.

The benefits of arthroscopy involve smaller incisions, faster healing, a more rapid recovery, and less scarring. Arthroscopic surgical procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis and the patient is able to return home on the same day.

Find out more about Knee Arthroscopy from the following links.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

A total knee replacement (TKR) or total knee arthroplasty is a surgery that resurfaces an arthritic knee joint with an artificial metal or plastic replacement parts called the ‘prostheses’.

Find out more about Total Knee Replacement with the following links.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL Reconstruction

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It is a strong rope like structure located in the centre of the knee running from the femur to the tibia. When this ligament tears unfortunately it doesn’t heal and often leads to the feeling of instability in the knee.

ACL reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure and with recent advances in arthroscopic surgery can now be performed with minimal incisions and low complication rates.

ACL Reconstruction Hamstring Tendon

ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon

ACL Rehabilitation Protocol

patient Info

Uni Condylar Knee Replacement

This simply means that only a part of the knee joint is replaced through a smaller incision than would normally be used for a total knee replacement. The knee joint is made up of 3 compartments, the patellofemoral and medial and lateral compartments between the femur and tibia (i.e. the long bones of the leg). Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for this procedure.

Find out more about Unicondylar Knee Replacement with the following links.

Please use the links below to get more information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

Broken Bones and Injury

Fractures

Tears and Instability

Pain Syndromes

Diseases and Syndromes

Arthritis

Pain Syndromes

Treatment and Rehabilitation