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Knee realignment surgery
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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KNEE REALIGNMENT SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Living with knee pain can have a significant impact on your life. Our dedicated, experienced knee specialists are here to help, using the very latest imaging technology and surgical techniques to accurately diagnose your condition and create a specific treatment plan for you. Our excellent support and aftercare will help you recover and get back to a more active life, as soon as possible.
This level of expertise and care has made us one of the most trusted providers of orthopaedic care in the UK, and 97% of our patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
This level of expertise and care has made us one of the most trusted providers of orthopaedic care in the UK, and 97% of our patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
Knee realignment surgery, also known as high tibial osteotomy (HTO), is a surgical procedure to relieve pain and pressure in your knee joint. Your knee joint sits between your thigh bone (femur) and your shin bone (tibia). Knee realignment involves cutting and reshaping your tibia, so that your weight is supported through a different area of your knee, avoiding the damaged cartilage that’s causing pain. The procedure is often recommended if you have osteoarthritis, or if your knee’s misaligned due to trauma.
Every patient is different, and your consultant will talk to you in detail about your condition and how a knee realignment could help.
Every patient is different, and your consultant will talk to you in detail about your condition and how a knee realignment could help.
You may have a knee that’s been misaligned since birth, your knee might be damaged due to trauma or injury, or you may have developed osteoarthritis in your knee, which means the cartilage inside is worn or damaged. All of these can result in one side of your knee deteriorating due to repeated use. This can lead to pain, swelling or tightness, or it might cause your knee to lock out. If you’re experiencing pain in your knee because of any of these symptoms, and treatments such as medication, physiotherapy or exercises haven’t helped, knee realignment surgery might be right for you.
Yes, there are. Initially, your GP or consultant might recommend managing your pain with medication, or through a specific programme of physiotherapy. If those treatments don’t work, then knee realignment surgery is an option.
Your consultant will talk you through your specific condition and symptoms, and whether knee realignment is the best route forward for you.
Your consultant will talk you through your specific condition and symptoms, and whether knee realignment is the best route forward for you.
Knee realignment relieves the pressure on the damaged area of your knee, and changes the position of your shin bone, so that your weight’s carried evenly through your knee joint. This should relieve your pain, so you can move freely again and return to physical activity.
If your knee is misaligned or damaged by osteoarthritis, knee realignment surgery can specifically help by:
If your knee is misaligned or damaged by osteoarthritis, knee realignment surgery can specifically help by:
- Delivering effective relief from knee pain
- Preventing further wear or damage to your knee joint
- Correcting the positions of the bones in your knee joint
- Improving your mobility and quality of life
- Preventing the need for total knee replacement surgery
Knee realignment surgery is common procedure and complications are rare. However, all surgery carries a risk, and potential complications can include:
The surgery also carries a small risk of less serious complications, including:
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
The surgery also carries a small risk of less serious complications, including:
- Pain
- Stiffness and swelling in your knee
- Continuing osteoarthritis symptoms
- Nerve or blood vessel injuries
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist knee consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
THE KNEE REALIGNMENT SURGERY PROCESS
What to expect
If you have osteoarthritis or your knee is misaligned due to an injury, it can cause significant discomfort. You’ll receive focused, one-on-one care from a specialist knee consultant and our wider orthopaedic team. They’ll make sure your condition is diagnosed accurately before recommending the best course of treatment, including surgery if you need it.
They’ll be with you throughout the process, supporting you to get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
They’ll be with you throughout the process, supporting you to get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
01
Initial consultation
The first thing to do is see a GP. They’ll want to know about your general medical history and overall health, then talk to you in detail about your specific knee symptoms. That will include your pain, how it’s affecting your mobility and whether you’ve had any previous treatment. Depending on your situation, they might recommend medication or physiotherapy for non-surgical treatment. Or they may refer you to a specialist knee consultant.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
If you’re referred to a knee consultant, they’ll physically examine your knee in detail and check your range of movement. They might also recommend imaging tests such as an ultrasound or an MRI scan to get a more detailed picture on your knee joint. This will help them decide the specific treatment you need.
03
Treatment
Your surgeon will decide the location and type of surgery you need with the help of the imaging taken and reviewed with a musculoskeletal radiologist. Using this as a guide, your surgeon will make a small incision in your knee, then make a precise cut in your shin bone either above or below your knee.
Depending on your condition, they’ll either remove a wedge of bone and close the gap or create a gap and insert bone into that space. Then they’ll stabilise your knee joint by inserting metal plates and screws.
Another option is a navigation-assisted osteotomy, where infra-red trackers generate a computerised 3D model of your knee joint. This helps your surgeon plan your procedure and make very precise adjustments as they operate. If your procedure is complex, this more accurate method can help lower the chances of complications as you recover.
Depending on your condition, they’ll either remove a wedge of bone and close the gap or create a gap and insert bone into that space. Then they’ll stabilise your knee joint by inserting metal plates and screws.
Another option is a navigation-assisted osteotomy, where infra-red trackers generate a computerised 3D model of your knee joint. This helps your surgeon plan your procedure and make very precise adjustments as they operate. If your procedure is complex, this more accurate method can help lower the chances of complications as you recover.
04
Aftercare
Every patient is different, and your recovery will depend on your age, your physical health and the kind of surgery you had. Your knee won’t be able to take any weight for a few weeks, so we’ll give you some crutches to help you get around.
Your consultant will want to see you again for x-rays and to follow up, and they’ll give you a specific plan for your recovery, including physiotherapy and any pain medication, as well as advice about how to look after your wound.
Your consultant will want to see you again for x-rays and to follow up, and they’ll give you a specific plan for your recovery, including physiotherapy and any pain medication, as well as advice about how to look after your wound.
Locations
Where can I get knee realignment surgery?
You can access our specialist knee realignment services at three locations in London, where you can see dedicated consultants for assessment, diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Knee alignment surgery FAQ
Every patient and knee are different, but the procedure normally takes around two hours, and it’s carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout.
You won’t feel any pain during the surgery itself, because you’ll have a general anaesthetic.
You’ll have a degree of pain in the days and weeks after your surgery, and how much will depend on your specific condition and the type of procedure you’ve had. You’ll be given detailed help to manage your recovery, including any pain medication you need.
You’ll have a degree of pain in the days and weeks after your surgery, and how much will depend on your specific condition and the type of procedure you’ve had. You’ll be given detailed help to manage your recovery, including any pain medication you need.
Yes, it is. The risks associated with knee realignment are relatively low, but it’s still considered major surgery. You’ll be closely monitored throughout your procedure to make sure everything’s going smoothly.
Your consultant and their specialist team will talk you through every step of your surgery beforehand, including any possible complications, potential side-effects and when to stop eating and drinking.
You’ll have a ‘standing long leg’ X-ray before the surgery so that your surgeon can calculate the precise length and location of the cut they need to make in your shinbone.
You’ll have a ‘standing long leg’ X-ray before the surgery so that your surgeon can calculate the precise length and location of the cut they need to make in your shinbone.
It usually takes around six months to recover fully, depending on your overall health and the type of surgery you have. Your consultant will take another X-ray after six weeks to check on your progress.
You won’t have a cast on your knee, because the metal plates and screws will keep it stable. However, you won’t be able to put any weight on it for a few weeks, and you’ll need to use your crutches. It's also important to keep your wound covered, clean and dry after surgery to prevent infection.
Your team will give you all the advice you need on managing your recovery, including prescriptions for your pain medication, your physical therapy, looking after your wound and any exercises you can do at home.
You won’t have a cast on your knee, because the metal plates and screws will keep it stable. However, you won’t be able to put any weight on it for a few weeks, and you’ll need to use your crutches. It's also important to keep your wound covered, clean and dry after surgery to prevent infection.
Your team will give you all the advice you need on managing your recovery, including prescriptions for your pain medication, your physical therapy, looking after your wound and any exercises you can do at home.
Our patients’ stories
Hana's recovery: Roaring back from a serious knee injury
Hana was a fearsome player on the pitch, but her commitment came at a price. In 2018 she tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and was seen by Mr Simon Thompson. He helped her get back to playing at a competitive level and Hana got to wear the England jersey she’d dreamed of. So, when she then suffered a meniscal tear in 2020, she knew who she was going to see.
Decades of pain, resolved in weeks
Now 46, Mike had been struggling with knee problems since he tore his right ACL during a football match at the age of 19.
Kriti’s story
As Kriti Singh stepped off the dance floor at her thirtieth birthday party in Varanasi, India, she felt a sharp pain in her right knee. With a ten-year history of knee trouble, this didn’t bode well.
“I expected to have a chronic knee condition forever, but my knee is stronger than ever. As it was my first surgery, I was nervous, but I had the best care and the best people.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.