What is knee surgery?
Knee surgery may be necessary in the case of injuries, sprains, a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus tears, patellar instability, congenital deformities of the knee or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Depending on the type and nature of the pathology, your surgeon will opt for the appropriate treatment.
When should I seek medical advice for knee surgery?
Knee surgery may be indicated in the following cases:
- Disabling pain
- Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament
- Meniscus tears
- Patellar instability
- Congenital deformities of the knee
- Osteoarthritis.
How is knee surgery performed ?
Knee surgery can be performed under general or local anaesthetic.
In the case of a ligamentoplasty (ligament reconstruction), the surgeon replaces the ruptured ligament. This replacement can be “anatomical” or “functional”; techniques that are performed under arthroscopy, i.e. without opening the joint. Several ligamentoplasty methods exist and your surgeon will advise you on the best one for you, depending on your functional requirements. The most common include a gracilis tendon graft, a 4-strand semitendinosus graft or the Kenneth-Jones technique (the graft is harvested from the patellar tendon).
Knee replacement surgery entails removing the damaged bones and/or cartilage (from the tibia, the patella and the femur for a total knee replacement) and replacing them with implants. The indication depends on how worn the cartilage is, and partial replacements are possible (unicompartmental knee replacement, for example). Thanks to the evolution of surgical and anaesthetic techniques, and depending on your case, this operation is carried out on an outpatient basis.
During an arthroscopy, performed in an outpatient department, your surgeon will make very small cuts on the inside and outside of the knee. Using an arthroscope, they can examine the inside of your knee and perform certain procedures without having to make a major incision. This technique thus reduces scaring and shortens the functional recovery time (since the knee has not been cut open). Ligament reconstruction is mostly performed under arthroscopy.
Who should I consult?
You should see an orthopaedic surgeon for knee surgery.
Preparing for your hospital stay with ELSAN in France
How can I make an appointment ?
FAQ
How can I obtain a visa?
To obtain your visa for France, you will need to apply to the French Embassy in your country of residence. Once you have paid the care cost estimate provided by the ELSAN International Patients Department, you will be sent a letter of invitation and a certificate of payment signed by the hospital where your procedure will take place. These documents should be attached to your visa application.
What about follow-up treatment?
Depending on your personal situation, your medical team may recommend a rehabilitation hospital stay. This will be discussed with you.
How long before I can fly?
Your doctor will make specific recommendations. We suggest that you ask them to issue a Fit to Fly certificate, as depending on your medical situation, it may be necessary to respect a certain time limit in the interest of your health.
Will I be reimbursed?
For patients not covered by French health insurance, we provide an estimate of the cost of treatment. You should submit this estimate, along with your treatment plan, to your insurer to obtain their prior agreement, in accordance with your insurance policy.
In some cases insurers will pay directly (avoiding any advance payments by the policyholder) or reimburse the policyholder on proof of payment (paid invoice). This will depend on your insurance policy.