As a new year dawns (are you ready for it yet??), we often find ourselves looking back on the year that’s passed. It’s certainly been an action-packed one here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics – and a busy 12 months on the blog, too. The emergence of “smart” knees, an intriguing development in arthritis research, and the mysterious rise in injuries among female footballers were some of the stories we explored in 2024. If you didn’t catch them first time round, here’s a small selection box of highlights…
The power of prep
Opting for a knee replacement is a big decision. But once you’ve made the choice, how do you get yourself ready for it? This blog explored some of the key things to consider, from the Preassessment meeting (a good time to ask all your key questions) to packing for the hospital and prepping your house in readiness for your return. We also looked at the sometimes-overlooked importance of “prehab” – getting yourself into the best shape possible to help your post-op recovery.
Read: How should I prepare for a knee replacement?
Instability
Patellar instability – otherwise known as a weak or wobbly knee – can be very unsettling when it strikes. The knee suddenly feels loose in the joint, as if it won’t hold up – or might even give way. What’s likely to be going on? Of the various potential culprits, three stand out: muscle weakness, a meniscus tear or ligament rupture. The reassuring news, however, is that most types of knee instability are relatively straightforward to treat and manage.
Read: The 3 most common causes of an unstable knee
Knees with smarts
You’ve heard of smartphones and smart watches. But smart knees…? As unlikely as it sounds, sensor-enabled implants are already being released by specialist firms: in fact, the market size for “smart implants” is projected to hit $22.5 billion by 2032. Future devices could, potentially, give patients all kinds of real-time detail about their knees, from step counts and metrics on the precise alignment of the legs to range of motion scores.
Read: Are “smart knees” the future of knee replacements?
A breakthrough “goo”
Talking of innovations, a new approach to arthritis treatment hit the headlines over the summer. Scientists have developed a bioactive material that may encourage joint cartilage to regenerate. The injectable substance – described as a “rubbery goo” – achieved excellent results in initial trials involving sheep. It’s too early to say if this might prove to be a breakthrough for human knee patients, but the research is certainly promising.
Read: A breakthrough future treatment for knee arthritis?
Two wheels good
A new study from the US had some encouraging news for cycling fans. People who cycled at any point in their lives were 17% less likely to develop knee pain, and 21% less likely to develop arthritis with knee joint pain, they reported. Why does cycling seem to be so knee-friendly? It’s likely a combination of factors: a low-impact activity that’s good for cardio, builds supportive muscles and keeps knees mobile, with a reduced chance of injury compared to some other types of exercise.
Read: Could cycling ward off arthritis?
The ACL conundrum
“Like someone had hit either side of my knee with a hammer,” was how England striker Beth Mead memorably described her ACL rupture. But Mead wasn’t alone: nearly 200 elite female players are thought to have suffered the injury in the past 18 months or so. Why? Biomechanics, training regimes and footwear may be part of the answer. A new campaign called Project ACL is now underway to find out more.
Read: Why are so many female footballers injuring their ACLs?
Understanding scanning
Getting a scan is a regular part of treatment for knee problems. But if you’re like most patients, you may be slightly vague about the different kinds available. X-ray or MRI? Ultrasound or CT? (And what does CT actually stand for?) This year we launched a new online Scans section to explain. It covers everything from the different technologies to the booking process.
Read: Getting a knee scan with Chris Bailey Orthopaedics
As a new year approaches, the whole team here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics would like to wish our readers and patients a very restful and peaceful break – and a happy start to 2025!
