The most common reason for knee replacement surgery. The cartilage wears away over time, causing pain, stiffness and reduced function.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Tears of the shock-absorbing cartilage (meniscus) caused by injury or age-related degeneration. Some tears require arthroscopic surgery or, less commonly, meniscal repair.
Meniscal Tears
Small fragments of bone or cartilage floating within the knee joint can cause locking, catching or pain and are commonly removed arthroscopically
Loose Bodies
A common sporting injury that causes knee instability. Many active patients require ACL reconstruction to restore stability and allow a return to sport.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
Damage to the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones can cause pain, swelling and mechanical symptoms. Treatment may involve arthroscopy or cartilage restoration procedures.
Cartilage Injuries
Repeated kneecap dislocations can damage cartilage and lead to ongoing instability. Surgery may be recommended if instability persists despite rehabilitation.
Patellar Instability (Dislocating Kneecap)
Knee Surgery
Dr Roberts recommends knee replacement surgery for patients with painful knee arthritis when non-surgical treatments no longer provide adequate relief.
During the procedure, the worn cartilage and a small amount of bone are removed from the joint surfaces and replaced with durable metal and plastic implants. The aim is to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life. Modern knee replacements are designed to be long-lasting, with excellent durability. Dr Roberts offers robotic and traditional knee replacement surgeries and will discuss the best option for you during your appointments.
Knee Replacement Surgery
A partial knee replacement is an option for patients whose arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee, while the remaining cartilage and ligaments are still healthy. Instead of replacing the entire knee joint, only the damaged area is resurfaced with metal and plastic implants.
Because more of the natural knee is preserved, patients often experience a more natural-feeling knee, less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery compared with a total knee replacement. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate, Dr Roberts will provide careful assessment is to determine whether a partial or total knee replacement is the best option for you.
Partial Knee Replacement
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive ("keyhole") procedure used to diagnose and treat a range of knee conditions. Dr Roberts performs this surgery through two or three small incisions using a tiny camera (arthroscope) and specialised instruments, allowing him to view and treat the inside of the knee without the need for a large incision.
Common conditions treated with knee arthroscopy include:
Meniscal tears
Loose bodies (fragments of cartilage or bone)
Cartilage injuries
Some ligament injuries
Inflamed joint lining (synovitis)
Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients typically experience less pain, smaller scars and a faster recovery than with traditional open surgery. Most knee arthroscopies are performed as day-stay procedures, allowing patients to return home on the day of surgery.
Knee Arthroscopy
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and helps stabilise the knee. When it is torn, Dr Roberts may recommend surgery if symptoms such as pain, locking or catching persist despite non-surgical treatment.
Meniscal Repair – Where possible, the torn meniscus is repaired using stitches to preserve the cartilage. This is generally preferred in younger patients or when the tear is in an area with a good blood supply, as preserving the meniscus helps protect the knee from future arthritis.
Partial Meniscectomy – If the tear cannot be repaired, only the damaged portion of the meniscus is removed while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This can relieve pain and improve knee function while maintaining the meniscus' important cushioning role.
Meniscal Surgery
ACL reconstruction is a keyhole (arthroscopic) procedure to replace a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the main stabilising ligaments of the knee.
The torn ligament is replaced with a graft, usually taken from the hamstring, patellar or quadriceps tendon. Any associated injuries, such as meniscus tears or cartilage damage, can often be treated during the same operation.
The aim of surgery is to restore knee stability and prevent the knee from giving way.