MR KHALDOUN BITAR

01902 936 690

alison.whitehouse@nuffieldhealth.com

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Knee Osteoarthritis

What is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where the cartilage in the knee wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Symptoms

Knee pain, especially during movement or after activity

Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after resting
Swelling around the knee joint
Grinding or clicking sensation when moving the knee
Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or bending the knee

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical

Pain relief (medication, steroid injections), physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, weight management, and supportive devices (braces or walking aids).

Surgical

If pain and stiffness persist despite treatment, knee replacement surgery may be an option to restore movement and improve quality of life.

Patient Reviews

When to See a Specialist

If hip pain is affecting your daily activities or does not improve with self-care, you can book a consultation by filling in your details below or by contacting my secretary directly at

01902 936 690

Meniscal Tear

What is the Meniscus?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage inside your knee. Each knee has two menisci — one on the inside (medial meniscus) and one on the outside (lateral meniscus).

The meniscus acts like a cushion between your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia), helping absorb shock and keep your knee stable. It has a unique structure under the microscope a tear can disrupt the function of this cushioning cartilage.

What is a Meniscal Tear?

A meniscal tear happens when this cartilage gets damaged, often during activities that involve twisting, squatting, or sudden stops. Tears can range from small to large and may cause different levels of symptoms.

At a Glance

Meniscus = cushioning cartilage in your knee
Tears happen with twisting, squatting, or aging (wear and tear)
Symptoms: pain, swelling, stiffness, or “locking”
Small tears often settle with rehab; larger tears may need surgery

What Causes a Meniscal Tear?

Sports injuries (football, soccer, basketball, etc.)
Twisting or turning when the foot is planted
Squatting or lifting heavy objects
Age-related changes (degeneration of the meniscus over time)

What Are the Symptoms?

You may experience:

Pain along the inside or outside of your knee
Swelling that can develop over hours or a day
Stiffness or trouble fully bending or straightening the knee
A catching, locking, or clicking feeling inside the knee
A feeling like the knee may “give way”

When Should You See a Doctor?

If your knee is painful, swollen, locking, or feeling unstable after an injury — or if you have ongoing symptoms that don’t improve with simple care — it’s a good idea to get it properly assessed.

Can a Meniscal Tear Heal on Its Own?

Small tears often do not fully heal because of poor blood supply to most parts of the meniscus.
However, small and stable tears often do not need surgery if symptoms are mild and improve with time, physiotherapy, and activity modification.
Larger or unstable tears may need surgical treatment if they cause ongoing pain, locking.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your doctor may:

Check your knee with special movement tests
Order an MRI to see the meniscus clearly

How Is It Treated?

Treatment depends on the size, type, and symptoms:

Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE)to manage swelling
Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and improve knee movement
Pain relief medications  if needed

Surgical options if necessary:

Meniscus repair  (stitching the tear) — especially in younger, active people depending on the shape and the location of the tear.
Partial meniscectomy  (removing the torn part) — if the tear is not repairable.

What’s the Outlook?

With appropriate care, most people recover well from a meniscal tear.

Pain from small tears often settle with conservative management over a few weeks to months.
After surgery (if needed), a full return to sports or heavy activities can take several months with guided rehab.