Orthopaedics

You should consult an orthopaedic surgeon when joint pain, back pain, or a sports injury has not improved with conservative measures (rest, over-the-counter pain relief, physiotherapy) within 4–6 weeks; when pain is severe, constant, or worsening; when there is significant swelling, deformity, or inability to use a limb; following any significant trauma (road accident, fall, sports injury); or when you have been told you may need joint replacement, fracture fixation, or orthopaedic surgery.

Most patients begin walking with support within 24–48 hours of total knee replacement surgery. Hospital stay is typically 3–5 days. By 6 weeks, most patients can manage daily activities independently. Return to driving is usually possible at 6–8 weeks. Full recovery — with optimal strength, flexibility, and function — is achieved by 3–6 months, supported by a structured physiotherapy programme.

Yes. Our orthopaedic team regularly performs arthroscopic (keyhole) procedures for the knee (ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair, cartilage procedures), shoulder (rotator cuff repair, Bankart stabilisation, SLAP repair, subacromial decompression), ankle, and hip. Arthroscopy allows precise diagnosis and treatment of joint pathology through small incisions, with significantly less post-operative pain and faster recovery compared to open surgery.

Many sports injuries respond well to conservative management — structured physiotherapy, bracing, activity modification, and progressive rehabilitation — and do not require surgery. The decision depends on the specific injury, its severity, the patient's age and activity level, and treatment response. ACL tears in recreational athletes, for example, can sometimes be managed non-surgically with intensive rehabilitation. Our team always begins with a thorough clinical and imaging assessment before recommending the most appropriate management pathway.

In a partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, only the damaged compartment of the knee is resurfaced — medial, lateral, or patellofemoral — leaving the healthy compartments and cruciate ligaments intact. In a total knee replacement (TKR), all three compartments are resurfaced. Partial replacement offers faster recovery and a more natural-feeling knee but is only suitable for carefully selected patients with isolated single-compartment disease. Your surgeon will advise which option is appropriate based on your X-ray findings, knee alignment, weight, activity level, and clinical examination.