At Lidder Orthopaedics, we provide specialist care for a full range of knee conditions including sports injuries, degenerative arthritis, ligament injuries, and complex revision knee surgery. Treatment is tailored to restore stability, reduce pain, and return patients to activity.
Overview:
Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive condition where the cartilage in the knee joint wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Symptoms:
Knee pain with walking or stairs
Morning stiffness
Swelling
Reduced range of movement
Grinding or crepitus
Causes:
Age-related degeneration
Previous injury or ligament damage
Malalignment (bow legs or knock knees)
Genetics and body weight
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
Weight-bearing X-rays
Occasionally MRI
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy and strengthening
Weight management
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medications
Injections (corticosteroid or viscosupplementation)
Surgical Treatment:
Arthroscopy in select cases (limited role)
Partial knee replacement
Total knee replacement
When Surgery is Considered:
When pain limits walking, sleep, or daily activities despite optimal non-surgical treatment.
Overview:
Knee pain can arise from cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone, or referred pain from the hip or spine.
Symptoms:
Pain with movement or rest
Swelling or stiffness
Instability or “giving way”
Locking or catching
Causes:
Meniscus injury
Ligament injury
Arthritis
Patellofemoral (kneecap) pain
Overuse or biomechanical strain
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
X-rays
MRI for soft tissue injury
Diagnostic injections (if required)
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy
Load management
Bracing
Anti-inflammatory strategies
Injection therapy
Surgical Treatment:
Arthroscopy
Ligament reconstruction
Joint replacement (if advanced arthritis)
When Surgery is Considered:
When a structural cause is confirmed and symptoms persist despite conservative care.
Overview:
The meniscus is cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee. Tears are common in sports and degenerative wear.
Symptoms:
Pain along joint line
Swelling
Clicking or catching
Locking of the knee
Causes:
Twisting injuries (sport)
Age-related degeneration
Previous knee injury
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
MRI scan
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medication
Surgical Treatment:
Arthroscopic meniscal surgery
Meniscal repair (if repairable)
Partial meniscectomy (removal of torn segment)
When Surgery is Considered:
Mechanical locking
Persistent pain despite rehabilitation
Large or unstable tears
Young or active patients with repairable tears
Overview:
Meniscal repair aims to preserve the meniscus by stitching the torn tissue, improving long-term joint health.
Symptoms:
Same as meniscal tear but often in younger or active individuals.
Causes:
Traumatic sports injuries
Peripheral tear patterns suitable for healing
Diagnosis:
MRI and clinical assessment
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Trial of physiotherapy in selected stable tears
Surgical Treatment:
Arthroscopic meniscal repair using sutures or anchors
When Surgery is Considered:
Repairable tear pattern
Younger patients
Desire to preserve long-term knee function
Important Note:
Preserving the meniscus reduces long-term risk of arthritis.
Overview:
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilises the knee. Rupture commonly occurs during pivoting sports.
Symptoms:
Sudden “pop” at injury
Swelling within hours
Instability or “giving way”
Difficulty returning to sport
Causes:
Non-contact pivoting injury
Contact sports
Twisting or landing awkwardly
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination (Lachman test, pivot shift)
MRI scan
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy (rehabilitation-focused approach)
Activity modification
Bracing in selected patients
Surgical Treatment:
ACL reconstruction using graft (hamstring, patella tendon, or quadriceps tendon)
Combined meniscal repair if required
When Surgery is Considered:
Active individuals wishing to return to pivoting sports
Persistent instability
Associated meniscal injury
Failed non-operative rehabilitation
Overview:
A failed knee replacement occurs when an implant no longer functions effectively due to wear, loosening, infection, or instability.
Symptoms:
Persistent or worsening pain
Swelling
Instability
Stiffness
Reduced mobility
Causes:
Aseptic loosening
Infection
Implant wear
Ligament imbalance
Periprosthetic fracture
Diagnosis:
X-rays
Blood tests (infection markers)
CT scan
Joint aspiration if infection suspected
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Limited role
Pain management and monitoring in select cases
Surgical Treatment:
Revision knee replacement surgery
When Surgery is Considered:
When pain, dysfunction, or implant failure significantly affects a better quality of life or safety.
Mr Surjit Lidder provides comprehensive knee care across Melbourne, Albury, and Bright, including sports injury management, arthroscopic surgery, and complex knee replacement surgery.
You should consider a specialist review if you have:
Persistent knee pain >6 weeks
Swelling or recurrent effusions
Instability or “giving way”
Mechanical locking
Failure of physiotherapy
Previous knee surgery with ongoing symptoms
For a second opinion and peace of mind.
