Treatments provided by Deepu Sethi

Treatments

Mr Deepu Sethi treats the full spectrum of knee problems, from sport injuries in the professional adult to knee arthritis in the senior population. Treatments available include:

  • Meniscal tear repair
  • ACL surgery
  • Partial and total knee replacement
  • Joint preservation surgery and knee osteotomy
  • Patella (kneecap) stabilisation
  • Articular cartilage treatment
  • MCL repair/reconstruction
  • Ligament reconstruction (PCL, LCL, PLC)
  • PRP injections
  • Steroid injections

Conditions

Meniscal tear

A meniscal tear is damage to the protective cartilage found between the bones of the knee joint. It is a very common injury which rarely heals by itself. If it is to heal, a meniscal tear generally requires key surgery (arthroscopy) to repair the tear, however it is important to bear in mind that not all meniscal tears can be repaired, and many do not require surgery.

Where surgery is indicated, Mr Sethi will always try to preserve the meniscal tissues, suturing the meniscus back into its anatomic position, to prevent further development of arthritis. In the case of a non-repairable tear, Mr Sethi will preserve as much meniscal tissue as possible and will trim and contour the area of the tear such that it has a lower risk of tearing further over time.

ACL injuries

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the main stabilising ligament inside the knee. Tears to the ACL are commonly caused by pivoting or twisting and can result in knee instability.

Mr Sethi offers comprehensive assessment of ACL injuries, including 3T MRI scanning, where possible. Some ACL injuries can be treated conservatively with a supervised physiotherapy led rehabilitation programme. However, patients who continue to experience knee instability, or who wish to continue participating in pivoting sports such as football, netball and basketball, will often require a surgical reconstruction of the ACL.

Mr Sethi performs most ACL reconstructions arthroscopically. His technique involves using the patient’s own tissues to reconstruct the ligament. In line with modern practice, the reconstruction graft is placed more anatomically than in the past to provide better stability for the knee.

Knee arthritis

Knee arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition. Mr Sethi offers a wide range of techniques to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

In the first instance, Mr Sethi will try and treat patients non-surgically, if appropriate, using procedures such as PRP injections. When surgery is indicated, Mr Sethi uses joint preservation surgical techniques and knee osteotomy, where possible, to delay the need for joint replacement surgery.

In patients with severe end stage knee arthritis, the main form of treatment is knee replacement surgery. Mr Sethi offers both partial and total knee replacement surgery and is fully trained in the NAVIO® Surgical System for Robotic Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery.

Patella (kneecap) instability

In general, when the knee cap dislocates more than once or continues to feel unstable, Mr Sethi would discuss potential surgical treatment to prevent pain, instability and future degeneration in the joint. Procedures he offers to stabilise the kneecap are medial patella-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and, for selected patients, tibial tubercule osteotomy.

Articular cartilage injuries

Cartilage is a smooth substance that covers the ends of the bones, allowing the knee to move in a fluid, painless manner. Damage to the cartilage causes pain and swelling. Over time, this process will continue to progress leading to a complete loss of cartilage, exposing the bone and resulting in arthritis. For this reason, it is important to address a cartilage injury as soon as it occurs.

Mr Sethi is highly experienced in the treatment of articular cartilage damage, offering a range of cutting-edge techniques:

  • Osteochondral Autograft Transfers (OATS)
  • Microfracture Surgery of the Knee
  • Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)

MCL Injuries

The most common knee ligament injury is an injury to the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). There are three grades of MCL tear and the majority can be treated non-surgically and with a structured rehabilitation programme. There are, however, some cases where surgery may be recommended.

The use of a MCL protective knee brace is often recommended whether the injury is treated with or without surgery. It is recommended that this be fitted by a brace specialist who fully understands the patient’s goals and will correctly fit a MCL brace which is durable enough for the patient’s desired activity levels.

PCL/LCL/PLC injuries

Mr Sethi provides accurate assessment and a full range of treatment options, including ligament reconstruction, for injuries to the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) and Postero-Lateral Corner (PLC).

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Consultation

Mr Sethi is available for private consultation at OneWelbeck Orthopaedics and The London Clinic in London’s Harley Street District, and at LycaHealth Canary Wharf in Docklands.

Treatments, operations and tests

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) cross in the centre of the knee. A tear of these ligaments can be partial or complete, and results from overstretching of this ligament within the knee. Cruciate ligament repair is carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon, using a combination of open surgery and arthroscopy. The operation can be carried out as a day case, or may require a day or two in hospital.
Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing and renewing human stem cell lines to enable tissues and organs to restore and re-establish optimal function.
Arthroscopy is one of the most frequently used investigations for the diagnosis and treatment of knee injuries. It is a minor surgical procedure that is done as an outpatient. An arthroscope is a small, soft tube with a light and lenses on the tip. The surgeon inserts the arthroscope into your knee through a small incision. This allows the surgeon to see the entire knee joint and facilitates the repair of some knee injuries. Arthroscopy is normally done as a day case procedure.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) cross in the centre of the knee. A tear of these ligaments can be partial or complete, and results from overstretching of this ligament within the knee. Cruciate ligament repair is carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon, using a combination of open surgery and arthroscopy. The operation can be carried out as a day case, or may require a day or two in hospital.
Partial knee replacement is an option for a small percentage of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Your doctor may recommend partial knee replacement if your arthritis is confined to a single part (compartment) of your knee.
Knee replacement surgery is usually undertaken when osteoarthritis has resulted in the wearing down of the knee joint. In a knee replacement operation the worn out and arthritic parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with a new, artificial knee joint. The new knee joint is called a prosthesis. More recently, Computer Guided Total Knee Replacements as well as a new technological development called “patient specific instrumentation” or a “custom fit knee” is beeing performed.
A knee replacement tends to last between 10 to 20 years. After that time, it is often the case that a further procedure is required to have it replaced. This is known as a knee revision.
A kneecap replacement involves replacing under-surface of the kneecap and the trochlea. This is also called a patellofemoral replacement or patellofemoral joint arthroplasty.
Damaged cartilage in the knee can cause pain and the loss of motion. One option is a menisectomy, where a doctor uses an arthroscope and other tools to remove all or part of the damaged meniscus in the knee. When this is an keyhole surgery, a range of anaesthetic options are available and either act to repair the cartilage or remove it as the individual situation demands.
Osteotomy (cutting of the bone) is a surgical procedure where the knee is cut and then reshaped to relieve pressure on the knee joint.
A meniscus tear is a common injury to the cartilage that stabilizes and cushions the knee joint. The pattern of the tear can determine whether your tear can be repaired. Radial tears sometimes can be repaired, depending on where they are located. Horizontal, flap, long-standing, and degenerative tears-those caused by years of wear and tear-generally cannot be repaired.