Conditions & Treatments

If knee pain, swelling, instability, or loss of function is limiting your sport, work, or daily life, a specialist assessment can clarify the diagnosis and the most effective treatment options. Mr Simon Abram, Consultant Specialist Knee Surgeon, offers evidence-based knee care in Bath and Bristol–from rehabilitation and injections through to advanced knee preservation, ligament reconstruction, osteotomy, cartilage surgery, meniscal repair, and robotic partial and total joint replacement.

Ligament Injuries & Knee Instability

ACL Injury, Repair and Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can cause giving way and loss of confidence with pivoting, turning, and sport. Treatment ranges from structured rehabilitation to ACL reconstruction when stability and sport demands require it. Sports Specific Reconstruction: inc. Hamstring / Patellar (BTB) / Quads grafts. Read More.

Revision ACL Reconstruction

Revision ACL reconstruction is surgery to restore stability after a previous ACL reconstruction has failed or the knee remains unstable. Planning often involves detailed assessment of graft choice, alignment, meniscus status, and any factors increasing re-injury risk. Read more.

Lateral Tenodesis (LET) and ALL Reconstruction

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction are additional stabilisation procedures that can improve rotational control in selected higher-risk ACL cases. They are commonly used to reduce persistent pivoting instability and may reduce graft failure risk in appropriate patients. Read more.

MCL Injury and Repair / Reconstruction

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries affect the inner-side stabiliser of the knee and are common after contact or valgus stress. Many heal without surgery, but repair or reconstruction is considered for high-grade tears, persistent instability, or combined ligament injuries. Read more.

PCL Injury, Repair & Reconstruction

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries can cause pain, “sagging” of the shin bone and difficulty trusting the knee on slopes or stairs. Assessment focuses on accurate diagnosis, specialist bracing where appropriate, targeted rehabilitation and, in selected cases, PCL reconstruction. Read more.

LCL and Posterolateral Corner Injury & Reconstruction

LCL and posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries affect the outer-side stabilisers of the knee and can lead to twisting instability, difficulty on uneven ground and recurrent giving way. Treatment ranges from bracing and physiotherapy to specialised reconstruction techniques to restore rotational control and protect the cruciate ligaments. Read more.

Multi-ligament Reconstruction

Multiligament knee injuries involve damage to two or more major stabilisers (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL/PLC) and can cause severe instability. Treatment is highly individualised and may involve staged or combined reconstruction to restore reliable stability and function. Read more.

Knee Preservation (Cartilage, Meniscus, Alignment)

Meniscal Injury and Repair

Meniscus tears can cause pain, swelling, catching, and sometimes locking. Where possible, meniscal repair aims to preserve shock absorption and protect long-term joint health, while trimming is reserved for selected non-repairable tears. Read more.

Meniscal Root Injury and Root Repair

Meniscal root tears disrupt the meniscus attachment to bone and can significantly increase cartilage loading. Root repair is a knee-preservation option in suitable patients to restore meniscus function and reduce progression of joint wear. Read more.

Meniscal Transplant

Meniscal transplantation (meniscus allograft) may be considered for persistent pain after previous meniscectomy in selected younger, active patients without advanced arthritis. It is often part of a wider preservation strategy that may include alignment correction or cartilage treatment. Read more.

Cartilage Injury and Cartilage Repair

Cartilage injuries range from partial-thickness defects to full-thickness and osteochondral damage, causing pain, swelling, and reduced performance. Options include chondroplasty, OATS, ACI (often considered a gold-standard restorative option for selected defects), and osteochondral allograft in complex cases. Read more.

Knee Osteotomy

Knee osteotomy reshapes and realigns the leg to shift load away from the worn compartment, helping reduce pain and preserve the joint. It is commonly used for active patients with compartment overload and can delay or avoid knee replacement in suitable knees. Personalised joint preserving realignment can be offered (including HTO/DFO/TTO/Rotational). Read more.

Kneecap (Patellofemoral) Pain & Instability

Kneecap Instability and Stabilisation

Patellar instability can cause dislocations, subluxations, pain, and apprehension with sport and stairs. Treatment starts with physiotherapy and movement control, and may include procedures such as MPFL reconstruction, tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO), and trochleoplasty for selected severe or recurrent instability patterns. Read more.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Injections (PRP, Hyaluronic Acid, Steroid, Arthrosamid)

Knee injections can help reduce inflammation and pain to support rehabilitation, particularly in osteoarthritis or flare-ups. Options are tailored to diagnosis and goals, and may provide temporary symptom relief while longer-term strength and function improve. Read more.

Joint Replacement (Partial and Total)

Offered for advanced knee arthritis with disabling pain. Further information on osteoarthritis.

Robotic Surgery (Mako and CORI)

Robotic-assisted knee surgery supports precision planning and accurate implant placement for selected patients. Mr Simon Abram uses Mako and CORI robotic platforms for partial knee replacement (medial, lateral, patellofemoral) and total knee replacement where appropriate. Read more.

Partial Knee Replacement (Medial, Lateral, Patellofemoral)

Partial knee replacement treats arthritis confined to one compartment while preserving healthy bone and ligaments. It can be an excellent option for suitable patients and often provides a more natural-feeling knee than total replacement when the arthritis pattern is compartment-specific. Read more.

Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is typically recommended when arthritis affects multiple compartments or symptoms remain severe despite non-surgical care. The aim is reliable pain relief and improved function, with a structured rehabilitation plan to maximise recovery. Read more.

Not sure what you need?

If you are unsure which condition applies, the key first step is a specialist assessment to confirm the diagnosis and the pattern of knee damage. Mr Simon Abram offers expert consultation in Bath and Bristol, with clear explanations, shared decision-making, and a personalised plan–whether your best option is rehabilitation, injection therapy, knee preservation, ligament reconstruction, cartilage or meniscal surgery, or partial or total joint replacement.

This information is general and does not replace an individual consultation. If you have a locked knee, major swelling after injury, significant instability, or numbness/weakness in the foot, urgent assessment is recommended.