Knee
The knee is the joint most often affected by sports injuries and arthritis. Alongside examination, X-rays and, where needed, MRI are used to assess the menisci, ligaments and cartilage.
Common conditions
Meniscal tear
Pain, swelling, catching and locking after a twisting movement of the knee. Depending on the type of tear and the patient’s age, treatment is exercise, arthroscopic repair or removal of the torn fragment.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Follows a sudden change of direction or a jump, with the knee giving way and swelling. Depending on activity level and how unstable the knee feels, treatment is rehabilitation or arthroscopic ligament reconstruction.
Detailed article: Anterior cruciate ligament tear: is surgery always needed?
Knee arthritis
Pain, stiffness and swelling on stairs and on long walks. Exercise, weight control and injections into the joint are the first steps.
Detailed article: Knee osteoarthritis: exercise, weight, injections and replacement, what and when?
Knee replacement
In advanced arthritis, when pain cannot be controlled by other treatment, the worn joint surfaces are replaced with a prosthesis.
Detailed article: Knee replacement surgery: who is it for and what is recovery like?
Fractures around the knee
Fractures of the kneecap, the lower end of the thigh bone and the upper end of the shin bone are usually fixed surgically when they involve the joint surface.
Kneecap pain and chondromalacia patella
Kneecap pain (patellofemoral pain) is pain felt at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap, that gets worse with stairs, squatting and sitting for a long time with the knees bent.
Detailed article: Kneecap pain and chondromalacia patella: what causes it and how does it settle?
Cartilage damage in the knee
Cartilage damage in the knee is injury to the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones, caused by trauma, by a condition called osteochondritis or by wear.
Detailed article: Cartilage damage in the knee: does cartilage heal, and how is it treated?
Baker's cyst
A Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled swelling at the back of the knee.
Detailed article: Baker's cyst: what causes a swelling behind the knee and how does it settle?
When to be seen without waiting
- Rapid swelling of the knee after an injury and being unable to bear weight
- A knee that locks and will not straighten
- Knee pain with redness, warmth and fever
In these situations do not wait for an appointment; go to the nearest emergency department.
Our doctors
Our team of three orthopaedic surgeons works in close collaboration at every stage, from assessment and diagnosis to surgical and non-surgical treatment. Drawing on our shared knowledge and experience, we aim to find the most suitable treatment for each patient and to achieve the greatest benefit.
Patient guide
Other areas
This page is general information; diagnosis and treatment are decided at examination. Last updated: .