Joint Preservation Surgery

Knee preservation surgery aims to preserve the natural knee joint and delay or avoid knee replacement where suitable. It may be considered for selected patients with early arthritis, cartilage damage, meniscus injuries, localised joint overload or alignment-related knee pain. Treatment may include rehabilitation, injections, arthroscopy, osteotomy or other joint-preserving procedures depending on the condition.

High tibial osteotomy is a realignment surgery for selected patients with bow-leg alignment and inner-side knee arthritis. When the inner side of the knee is overloaded, correcting the alignment can help shift pressure away from the damaged area. This may help preserve the natural knee joint in suitable active patients.

Distal femoral osteotomy is a realignment surgery for selected patients with knock-knee alignment or outer-side knee overload. It may be considered when abnormal alignment increases pressure on the outer compartment of the knee and joint preservation remains possible.

Cartilage injury treatment involves assessment and treatment planning for cartilage damage, chondral defects and early joint surface wear. Treatment may include rehabilitation, activity modification, injections, arthroscopy, osteotomy or other joint-preserving options depending on the size, location and severity of cartilage damage.

Meniscus preservation surgery focuses on protecting the natural shock absorber of the knee wherever possible. This may include meniscus repair or joint-preserving arthroscopic treatment for selected meniscus tears. Preserving the meniscus can be important for long-term knee health and reducing unnecessary joint overload.

Early arthritis treatment planning includes assessment of arthritis severity, joint alignment, age, activity level and symptoms. The aim is to choose the most suitable preservation pathway, which may include physiotherapy, strengthening, weight management, PRP treatment planning, arthroscopy, osteotomy or partial knee replacement in selected cases.

Partial knee replacement involves replacing only the damaged compartment of the knee when arthritis is limited, and the rest of the joint is preserved. It may be suitable for selected patients when the arthritis affects only one part of the knee and the ligaments and other compartments remain healthy.

Patellofemoral joint replacement is a focused replacement option for arthritis mainly affecting the kneecap joint. Patients may experience pain while climbing stairs, squatting, sitting for long periods or getting up from a chair. If the rest of the knee is preserved, this option may be considered instead of total knee replacement in selected patients.

PRP and biologic treatment planning may be considered for selected patients with early arthritis, tendon problems or cartilage-related symptoms. These treatments are not suitable for every patient. A detailed assessment helps decide whether injection-based treatment, rehabilitation, joint preservation surgery or standard orthopaedic care is more appropriate.

Rehabilitation is an important part of joint preservation care. A structured physiotherapy and strengthening plan may help reduce symptoms, improve movement, support muscle strength, improve confidence and protect long-term joint function. Rehabilitation may be used alone or combined with injections, arthroscopy, osteotomy or partial replacement depending on the treatment plan.