“My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the side lines.”
Just like basketball player Michael Jordan in the above quote, we’ve all felt the physical and mental pain of injuries. But, as frustrating as they can seem at the time, a little time, focused recovery, and expert treatment can see a return to action. Join us as this article explores the best knee consultants for sports injuries.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears One of the most common knee injuries is the dreaded ACL. Plenty of sportsmen and women have suffered an ACL tear or rupture and struggled to return to their previous high levels of performance. According to an American study into common knee injuries, ‘the complete ACL rupture was the most common injury found in American football, basketball, and volleyball players’. At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, ACL reconstruction costs £7,049.
Meniscus tears ACL injuries were followed closely in commonality by meniscus tears. These are especially prevalent in road runners who cover long distances on a regular basis. Sportspeople can also suffer this knee problem from sudden pivoting or twisting movements while running.
Patellar dislocation This occurs when the patella (or kneecap) moves out of the groove in which it normally sits. This usually happens following a fall or collision and can be extremely painful. People suffering this injury may hear a loud ‘pop’, be unable to bear weight on the affected leg, or be able to see the displaced kneecap.
Tendonitis and runner’s knee Almost as dreaded as an ACL injury is tendonitis, sometimes called runner’s knee. This is a knee condition that occurs when the patellar knee ligament becomes inflamed. If you suffer from runner’s knee, the best treatment is usually rest, ice, stretching, and taking ibuprofen to reduce any swelling.
What to look for in a sports knee specialist
If persistent knee pain has you concerned, you should see a knee sports injury specialist. These knee doctors, often called consultant orthopaedic surgeons, specialise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of knee conditions.
When looking for a knee specialist, you should bear in mind the following:
Experience: how much experience does the consultant have in dealing with your specific issue?
Patient reviews: does the consultant have any reviews from their past patients?
Qualifications: look for a surgeon with extensive qualifications and affiliations to renowned surgical societies. The Royal College of Surgeons and the British Orthopaedic Association in the UK are two examples of such institutions.
“The main things to watch out for are knee stiffness, persistent pain, restricted mobility, and swelling or inflammation.”
Nawar Abdulsattar, Consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Practice Plus Group
Top knee consultants for sports injuries in the UK
At Practice Plus Group, we have some of the most experienced and knowledgeable sports injury consultants in the UK. The profile below features top-level details of one of our most prominent knee consultants.
Nawar Abdulsattar, consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Practices at: Practice Plus Group Hospital Emersons Green and Practice Plus Group Hospital Barlborough
Qualifications: Specialist Register Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery (2020), Bachelor of Medicine (MB), Bachelor of Surgery (ChB) (2003)
Specialities: Hip surgery, knee surgery, orthopaedics, sports injuries
Quote: “I am an orthopaedic surgeon with interest in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis and sport injuries as well as trauma of the lower limb. I perform arthroplasty of the knee and hip, arthroscopic procedures of the knee and different types of surgical fracture treatment and fixations mainly, but not exclusively, in the lower limb. I’m part of an ongoing research study of ankle fractures in the Swedish population.”
When do knee consultants recommend surgery for sports injuries?
Not all knee injuries require surgical treatment as a solution. A consultant orthopaedic surgeon will take the time to assess your specific injury, run the necessary tests, and ask the questions needed to arrive at a diagnosis. A treatment plan will then be devised based on what the specialist recommends and believes is the best course of action.
There are signs you might need knee surgery, but this isn’t always the most suitable option. Persistent knee pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness and immobility, and instability of the knee joint are all indicators that surgery may be required but until an assessment and diagnosis is sought, it’s very difficult to know if surgery is needed.
Questions to ask your sports injury knee specialist
From the expected outcomes of potential surgery to what your road to recovery might look like following, the following are all good questions to ask your knee specialist before you embark on a treatment path:
How do I know knee surgery is the best option for me?
Experience: how much experience does the consultant have in dealing with your specific issue?
Patient reviews: does the consultant have any reviews from their past patients?
Qualifications: look for a surgeon with extensive qualifications and affiliations to renowned surgical societies. The Royal College of Surgeons and the British Orthopaedic Association in the UK are two examples of such institutions.
Patient testimonial
“Today, I haven’t felt so good for years. My mobility has totally returned and when I’m not playing golf I’m on the exercise bike or getting my steps up walking like I used to.
“My wife and I have enjoyed holidays like the old days. 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
Like Michael Jordan said in the quote at the top of the article, a spell on the sidelines can be a very tricky time. If you’re facing some time away from your favourite sport or hobby due to injury, why not take the first step towards recovery today? Finding a sports knee specialist near you is a straightforward process, so why delay?
After medical school in Al-Mustansirya University in Baghdad, Nawar moved to Sweden where he passed the medical exam at Karolinksa Institute in Stockholm (MD) and started training to become Swedish-Board certified specialist in trauma and orthopaedics.
He researched in the area of developmental hip dysplasia and enrolled in PhD studies at Gothenburg University on ankle fractures epidemiology.
Nawar moved to the UK in 2020 and is still a visiting surgeon in Sweden. As a high volume surgeon, he has performed over 1000 joint replacements.
Not quite found the information you’re looking for? Our dedicated FAQs may be able to help.
How to tell if a knee injury is serious?
Severe and persistent pain in your knee is usually a sign of a bad injury. Swelling and inflammation are also indicators, along with a lack of response to conservative treatments such as ice, elevation, and rest.
How do I know if I need to see a knee consultant?
You should see a consultant if:
– your knee pain is persistent and severe – you knee is swollen and inflamed – your knee is stiff and you have a lack of mobility
Can a knee consultant help me avoid surgery?
Potentially but this depends on the type of issue you have. Some knee injuries respond better to more conservative treatments or with injections. Others may require surgery as the only option for improvement.
What should I expect during my first consultation?
During your initial consultation, your knee specialist will conduct a physical assessment of your affected knee. This may involve x-rays and blood tests too. He or she will also ask you about your general health and about your family medical history. This is so they can build a picture around your specific issue and arrive at an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
