If persistent knee pain is keeping you from enjoying the activities and life you want to lead, booking some time with a private knee consultant might be the way forward. Join us as we explore the different conditions a private knee consultant can help with, when you should see one, and how the experience can benefit you.
We can’t simply give one answer to this question. That’s because there are a whole host of different reasons to see a private knee consultant for your issue. From shorter waiting times to tailored treatment plans, we cover the highlights below.
Faster access to diagnosis and treatment
One of the main reasons to see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon is the (sometimes greatly) reduced waiting times.
For example, if you wanted to see an NHS knee consultant in Leicester, the current waiting time at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is 32 weeks (nine weeks for an initial consultation and a further 23 weeks before you can have surgery).1 To see an orthopaedic consultant at the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust currently takes 20 weeks, with a wait of a further 21 weeks if surgery is needed.2 This is a combined wait of 41 weeks (over 10 months)!
On the other hand, if you’re exploring the private healthcare route, with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, you can see a private knee consultant just 1-2 weeks after submitting your initial booking enquiry. Should you need surgery, this will take place 4-6 weeks after your consultation.
Hear from our knee expert:
“With our Wellsoon service, the great news is that you could have your surgery as soon as 4-6 weeks after your consultation, helping you get back to feeling your best without any long waits or delays. All appointments are consultant-led, meaning you will have confidence at every appointment and continuity of care.”
Thorwald Springer, Consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
Continuity of care with a knee specialist
With Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, you have the opportunity to choose the consultant you want to see for your initial consultation. If surgery is needed, the same consultant will be with you on the big day to carry out your procedure.
Personalised treatment plans
Going hand-in-hand with continuity of care are the personalised treatment plans you’ll get when you see one of our private knee consultants. This starts at your initial consultation, during which the specialist will carry out physical tests and ask questions about your medical history designed to arrive at a diagnosis. Once this is reached, your consultant will devise a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This will include the type of surgery you need (if surgery is indeed required), recommendations on how to prepare for the big day, and how you can recover as quickly and successfully as possible.
Hear from our knee expert:
“When you come in for a consultation at a Practice Plus Group hospital, you’ll meet with an orthopaedic consultant. If needed, you’ll get x-rays, and if you’re set for surgery, you’ll go through the pre-operative pathway where you’ll see not only the consultant, but nurses and the anaesthetist. You’ll leave armed with a tailored treatment plan and all the knowledge you require for your procedure.”
Thorwald Springer, Consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
What does a private knee consultant actually do?
From specialist expertise in the orthopaedic field to simply being a friendly face during a sensitive time, a private knee consultant wears many hats. Below, we explore the different roles they play during your time with them. Please note though that they’re unlikely to be able to offer actual hat advice!
Specialist expertise
As we mentioned above, all our consultants provide a wealth of experience and expertise in their specific fields. The majority hold memberships and fellowships at prestigious national surgical associations and organisations, as well as being called on to deliver lectures worldwide and provide research into medical topics. Suffice to say, when it comes to knee surgery, our consultants know their onions!
Physical assessments and diagnostic imaging
During your initial consultation, the specialist will use the time to try and get to the bottom of your specific issue. To do this, he or she will likely carry out a physical examination as well as ask questions about your general health and family medical history. If further investigation is needed, your consultant may recommend diagnostic imaging such as MRI scans or x-rays. While x-rays can usually be carried out there and then, this may not be possible with an MRI and you may need to come back at a later date.
Building a bespoke treatment plan
This is where your consultant’s expertise and findings from your initial assessment pay off. Once a diagnosis is reached, your consultant can set about devising a treatment plan. This is tailored to your specific needs and covers the following:
what to expect from surgery
how to prepare for surgery
recommendations on how to achieve a fast and full recovery.
Conditions a private knee consultant can help with
From anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair to partial or full knee replacement, at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, our knee specialists can help with a wide range of different conditions.
ACL injuries and sports trauma
It’s the injury that can make even the most hardened sportspeople wince – the dreaded ACL tear. But don’t fear, our expert knee consultants can help turn that wince into a smile and restore your knee’s stability and function.
If you’ve been experiencing knee instability or stiffness for a prolonged period of time, knee surgery might be the right solution for you. A private knee consultant may recommend knee surgery with the aim of improving knee function, mobility, and of course, your quality of life.
Private knee surgery options
Whether you need a total knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, or an injection to help manage your knee pain, we provide a range of different surgery options to help get you back on your feet.
Knee arthroscopy: minimally invasive precision
If you’ve been struggling with pain, stiffness, swelling, or instability in your knee, a knee specialist may recommend an arthroscopy procedure.
Knee arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure used to diagnose and treat a range of knee joint issues. These include:
torn cartilage or meniscus
ligament damage
inflammation (synovitis)
loose fragments of bone or cartilage
A knee arthroscopy is less invasive than traditional knee surgery and often allows for quicker recovery.
Full knee replacement: what to expect
A full knee replacement is a common procedure that involves replacing the entire knee joint with a prosthetic. The aim of this surgery is to relieve chronic pain and restore mobility. It’s ideal for patients with severe arthritis or damage that affects the whole joint, making it difficult to perform everyday activities such as walking or climbing the stairs.
The surgery itself usually takes between 1-2 hours, during which time the knee joint is replaced by an artificial implant.
The recovery time for total knee replacement surgery varies depending on factors such as patient age and general health but most patients see a significant improvement in their knee function around 12 weeks after surgery.
Partial replacement for localised damage
Partial knee replacement is suitable when only one part of the knee is damaged. This is typically the inner, outer, or kneecap area. It involves a small incision and the removal and replacement of damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial implants. Recovery time is typically around 3-6 weeks but varies depending on the patient’s age and general health.
It’s suitable for patients:
with osteoarthritis isolated to one part of the knee
with stable ligaments and minimal deformity.
Meniscus repair surgery
The meniscus is the cartilage that cushions your knee. Injury to the meniscus is a very common occurrence and can be sports or age-related. Meniscus repair surgery aims to repair a torn meniscus, particularly in younger or active patients, rather than removing it.
Among the benefits of meniscus repair surgery are:
preservation of joint cushioning
reduction of the risk of early arthritis
helps restore normal knee function.
The procedure usually takes around an hour and patients recover after a few weeks.
Ligament reconstruction (including ACL)
Reconstruction surgery is available for torn ligaments such as:
the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), Medial cruciate ligament (MCL) or other ligament injuries
chronic knee instability
Ligament reconstruction is a common option for active individuals or athletes wanting to make a safe and swift return to sport.
The procedure usually takes around an hour and a half.
Post-surgery rehabilitation and pain relief
Rehabilitation is a crucial part of recovering from any kind of knee surgery. And, with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, all of your physiotherapy needs are included in the price of your treatment. You’ll receive physiotherapy sessions tailored to your specific needs to help get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
What makes private care at Practice Plus Group different?
So, you’ve got all the information you need about why it’s a good idea to see a private knee consultant. Now it’s time to find out why it’s a good idea to see a private consultant with Practice Plus Group!
High-quality care in a comfortable setting
Our unfaltering dedication to high-quality care is something we are very proud of and we’re constantly striving to provide a better experience for our patients. It’s this ethos that has led to innovative, evidence-based developments in our procedures and a wealth of glowing patient reviews.
Transparency and fixed-price packages
At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, we believe quality healthcare should be accessible and clearly priced. So, unlike other private hospitals who add on extra costs, our treatment packages include everything, from surgery and aftercare to medication, post-op checks, and physiotherapy, with no hidden extras!
Trusted surgeons and proven outcomes
All our hospitals are centres of medical and surgical excellence with our consultants performing procedures in their specialist fields on a regular basis. All our consultants are contracted to us, which is why we’re able to provide our private patients with fixed pricing for their treatment.
“I totally recommend Practice Plus Group to anyone like me who just wants to get on and enjoy life”
Paul, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
The following list contains tell-tale signs that you’re struggling with a knee condition that may benefit from some time with a knee specialist:
severe and persistent knee pain
swelling and inflammation of the affected area
stiffness and lack of mobility
bowing of the leg (if you’re suffering from knee pain)
sleep disruption due to the discomfort
difficulty carrying out daily activities
conservative treatment options are no longer working.
Of course, there may be other symptoms that indicate an issue. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis can cause severe joint pain that may only be corrected through surgery. If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms above, find a private consultant near you to help get your life back on track.
How to book a private consultation at Practice Plus Group
You can book orthopaedic surgery near you with a private knee consultant thanks to Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group in the following ways:
self-pay via a single one-off payment or finance options
through an existing private medical insurance policy.
Mr Springer is a highly experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon with over 27 years’ experience. After graduating from the University of Medical Sciences in Poland in 1997, he became GMC-registered in 2008. He completed an Orthopaedics Fellowship at the Golden Jubilee NHS Hospital in Glasgow in 2011, gaining advanced surgical experience. During this time, he also served as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, before returning to work at the University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, Poland.
In 2017, Mr Springer returned to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, where he specialises in hip and knee replacements and knee arthroscopies.
