KNEE INJURY SURGEON
An early review is extremely important. There will always be steps that can be initiated to speed up your recovery and these will have a knock-on effect on the outcome of further management. The aims are to reduce your time away from work and speed you back to high level sport. I will always try and see an acute knee injury within a week – CONTACT me directly for a plan specific to you and your injury.
When I first see you a detailed history of your injury will be the first step – forming a diagnosis and subsequent management plan. The type of sport, the movement and speed, and whether there was contact involved. Some injuries may be through contact and direct stress to the knee for example during a rugby maul or football tackle. Whilst other injuries can occur through a non-contact sudden change in direction for example cutting inside an opponent during football, twisting snowsports, or a quick turn during netball.
A comprehensive musculoskeletal examination is essential, and this may need to be repeated over periods of time to assess recovery and healing. Guided physiotherapy is critical to reduce swelling and regain range of knee motion.
The most useful initial investigation is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This scan uses a magnet to visualise the different types of anatomy in and around the knee and will confirm the type of injury sustained. I can routinely get this for you within 1 week.
A further appointment is required to assess recovery and the benefits gained from the physiotherapy and rehabilitation so far and to review the MRI. If surgery is indicated then most commonly it is for these types injuries:
- Anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Acute meniscal tears
- Acute cartilage damage
- Combined ligament injuries
Some of the above injuries can be treated without surgery and the majority of other acute knee injuries will heal with rehabilitation. It is important to ensure that there is a guided return to sport and many of the activities and exercises in the rehabilitation section will be relevant to you.
If surgery is indicated then pre-operative physiotherapy and optimisation is an important part of the pathway. There are many aspects to ensure a successful return to sport which I have highlighted in a presentation. This talk has allowed me to interact and build a local team of like-minded physiotherapists and osteopaths.
Preventing re-injury or injuries to your other knee or will be an important part of your rehabilitation, click here for my blog on this.
