If you have further questions and would like to discuss investigating your knee problem then please feel free to contact us here.
Alternatively you can book an appointment to see us by using the booking form on this page.
You will be asked a detailed series of questions about your knee problem followed by a thorough examination of your knee. Very often this will be enough to diagnose the problem. Often, additional tests are required to confirm the diagnosis and gather further information regarding your knee problem.
X-rays: these are necessary in almost all patients. They are very helpful in diagnosing arthritis, its extent and severity. They are also useful following knee injuries to exclude any broken bone (fracture) or loose pieces of bone within the joint.
MRI scan: this is commonly required following knee injury. It is particularly good for looking at injury to soft tissues such as ligaments, shock-absorber cartilages (menisci) and the "gristle" or articular cartilage lining the bones. It is commonly used in diagnosing numerous other conditions around the knee, such as arthritis, avascular necrosis, tendonitis and bursitis. Unlike X-rays or CT scans it does not use radiation.
CT scan: this is normally performed in patients who have a problem following previous surgery. It can be used to create 3-dimensional images of the knee joint and is of use in the assessment of painful knee replacements and unstable knees following ligament reconstruction.
Ultrasound imaging: this is a quick and safe imaging method which, in experienced hands, can be helpful in diagnosing soft tissue problems such as tendonitis and bursitis. It is commonly used for guiding injections into and around the knee joint e.g. steroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Blood tests: these are commonly required prior to major surgery or in patients with significant medical problems. They are also used in the investigation of the painful knee replacement and in those with suspected inflammatory arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).
Unfortunately, no operation is without risk. For most knee operations the risks are low. Prior to any operation, Mr Barnett will discuss in detail with you what the operation involves and what the specific risks are related to the procedure. You will find information relevant to most procedures on this website, however, below is some general advice to help reduce risk and the chance of a problem occurring.