This should be the way forward for patients who need the femur [thigh bone] lengthening. It helps avoid unnecessary distress and causes fewer problems with infection too because it is all inside the leg
Pleased to share this fantastic article regarding my leg lengthening technique being used in Southampton.
Many thanks to my patient Emma for her support with the article.
Amir Qureshi advises anyone who spends a long time tending to plants in one position to stretch regularly — every 20 minutes or so — and, obviously, to use a kneeling pad. Read more -
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8682593/The-thorny-perils-gardening-pricked-thumb-rashes-poisoning.html
Listen back to Amir Qureshi’s personal interview with Sam Fraser on BBC Radio Solent.
Amir discusses everything from hand hygiene in the light of coronavirus, the work he covers in his practice and why he chose to become a Consultant Knee Surgeon. Amir talks fondly of his training and the team of colleagues he works with and offers some general knee health advice too.
'It isn't a one-man show, I get to work with an incredible team of people who all make a difference to my patients'.
To listen to the full interview click here, and skip to 2.09.
A top knee surgeon has warned runners are at increased risk of injury due to “unqualified advice” provided by shop assistants about appropriate running shoes and trainers.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee and limb reconstruction surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, said sports retailers may unwittingly be putting customers at risk of injury by claiming to provide detailed assessments about limb movement – known as gait analysis – via short videos.
This information is then used routinely to advise people about the best footwear for the way they stand, walk or run and whether or not they require standard or custom-moulded foot orthotics such as insoles or support straps.
“An accurate gait assessment involves attaching markers to various points of the body and asking the patient to walk in a lab with special cameras tracking every movement of each part of the limbs, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles and feet,” explained Mr Qureshi.
“A key part is the use of a specialised plate on the floor which assesses the force going through the body and all of this information is collated and scrutinised by highly-trained people with different skills including doctors, podiatrists and physiotherapists.
“However, many shoe shops and sports stores offer investigations which are increasingly labelled as gait analysis that would not be a correct description of the information gathered.
“The methods used, such as video recordings, are not validated and no report generated for the customer to take to their GP or healthcare professional such as a podiatrist or physiotherapist."
He added: “While podiatrists use video capture as part of their analysis, they have significant training and experience in performing a full assessment to aid in the interpretation of the video along with taking account of any history of injury.
“Although I don’t believe what is happening is wilful, it is still misleading as you cannot obtain a gait analysis just by watching a video recorded on a treadmill or short walk or run and there is a lack of understanding of the data recorded and its interpretation.
“A well-intentioned orthotic can cause harm, either in the foot or ankle or the joints above including the knee, and result in the need for treatment – potentially undoing the hard work put in to get fit.”
Professional gait analysis can take up to four hours and is performed at specialist centres such as The Orthotic Research and Locomotor Assessment Unit in Oswestry.
Mr Qureshi said while there was a role for a custom insole, this should be under the direct guidance of a professional such as a podiatrist.
He called for retailers to label the services they provide correctly and, if they wished to market assessments as “gait analysis”, they should advise customers to seek a professional opinion before adopting an orthotic.
“If a retailer feels there is a different gait pattern in an individual then a recommendation to consult a professionally-qualified person should be made,” he said.
“In the meantime, I hope raising awareness will alert people to the potential problems the current situation can cause, urge them to ask questions and seek professional advice if existing symptoms worsen or new ones develop.
“For those who already have insoles or other orthotics which feel uncomfortable or if a new pain occurs in any joint, they should stop using it or risk further damage.”
To listen back to the discussion of sports footwear advice from retailers on BBC Radio Solent, click here and skip to 2.09.
A top knee surgeon has said more action should be taken to improve health and fitness among Asian people in the UK - and reduce pressure on healthcare services.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee and limb reconstruction surgeon, said many Asian people suffered from knee pain and bone problems and a “multitude of factors” were responsible.
He is now calling on the Asian community, community groups and councils, fitness providers and healthcare experts to work together to improve education and opportunities.
“A lot of Asian people suffer from knee pain and bone problems,” said Mr Qureshi, who is based at University Hospital Southampton.
“There are a multitude of factors behind this and I want the Asian society to begin tackling these so we can not only improve the health and fitness of Asian people but also relieve pressure on healthcare services.”
Mr Qureshi said the long-established issue of a lack a vitamin D caused by reduced exposure to sunlight through skin and nutritional aspects such as the use of unleavened bread (chapatis) was still a “significant problem”.
However, he said barriers to accessing gyms and personal trainers, as well as fitness sessions, “remains problematic” and has a “negative effect” on the health of Asian people.
According to the Active Lives Survey, 25% of people aged 16 years and over in England were categorised as ‘physically inactive’ – less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week - in 2017-18.
People from Asian, Black and Other ethnic groups were more likely to be physically inactive than those from the White British, White other and Mixed ethnic groups.
“Accessing exercise facilities or classes remains problematic and the tendency can be to not do anything due to these barriers - having a negative effect on health,” said Mr Qureshi.
“This can be due to some cultures and religions needing single sex gyms and same sex personal trainers, so I would certainly encourage more ethnic minority personal trainers to help combat this.
“I would also like to see fitness providers, community groups and councils work together to think about how we can deliver ethnically-sensitive sessions to cater for the Asian population who might otherwise go on to develop various health problems.”
He added: “In addition, vitamin D supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare professional but it should be encouraged, especially over the winter months.”
Mr Qureshi, also of Spire Southampton and Nuffield Health Wessex hospitals, said the interim solution was to ensure Asian people take up exercise at home.
“We are where we are at the moment, so it makes it even more essential to highlight the importance of exercising at home or in their local area - jogging, walking, park sports, cycling - to maintain muscle and functionality.
“This extends to people of all ages and comes at no monetary cost either, so it is a cost-effective and simple measure to ensure that, while all of the necessary provisions may not be in place to meet the specific needs of Asian people, they can still take action independently.”
A Southampton surgeon can now replace a patient’s knee with an exact replica using state-of-the-art 3D printing.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee and limb reconstruction surgeon, is one of a few specialists in the UK using Conformis iFit image-to-implant technology.
It converts a CT scan of a patient’s knee into a 3D model and then designs a unique implant - all within six weeks.
With conventional “off-the-shelf” implants to treat osteoarthritis, some patients can experience persistent pain or restricted movement.
Using the customised iTotal design means tailored measurements eliminate sizing compromises and follows the shape of and natural joint lines of each individual’s knee to increase movement and avoid instability.
Analysis of the implant in some centres has shown 95% patient satisfaction rates compared to 80 to 85% with standard replacements, while initial data suggests a 60% reduction in early repeat surgery compared to the national average.
“The goal of any knee replacement is to be pain-free, restore natural motion and for patients to return to their everyday activities,” explained Mr Qureshi, who is based at University Hospital Southampton and operates privately at Spire Southampton and Wessex Nuffield hospitals.
“These custom-made knee implants are designed specifically to match every aspect of a patient’s natural knee, delivering better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.”
He added: “I am always looking to improve the options available to my patients and provide the best possible outcomes - this technology allows me to provide the closest replacement to patients’ natural knees which is extremely exciting.”
Procedures using the Conformis implant are currently only available privately.
A top knee surgeon has said warming up before any level of sporting activity – even a kickabout in the park – should be “routine and seen as socially acceptable”.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee and limb reconstruction surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, said much more focus was needed on injury prevention and preparation at amateur and recreational level.
He said he had seen an “influx” in knee injuries in recent years due to a rise in popularity of the “couch to 5k mentality”.
“I firmly believe we need a wholesale change in mindset when it comes to injury prevention in amateur and recreational sport as there is a growing belief you can go from nothing to all-out activity with no consequence,” said Mr Qureshi.
“That has manifested itself further over recent years with what I call the 'couch to 5k mentality' among those looking to get back into physical activity and get fit or play amateur sport with little to no preparation.
“There is a tendency to skip warm-up routines and muscle conditioning exercises and concentrate on distance, whereas preparation and gradually increasing activity is where the focus should be.”
Mr Qureshi said it was “imperative” to undertake muscle conditioning prior to competing in competitive sport but also to consider a simple warm-up routine prior to even a kickabout in the park with family or friends.
“Although people might be surprised, partaking in a simple warm-up routine can reduce the incidence of incurring an anterior cruciate ligament injury by up to 70% so for minimal effort you can avoid a serious and disruptive injury,” he explained.
“On many occasions I hear the reasons for avoiding this are that no-one else does, there isn't time and that people feel uncomfortable as it is seen as over the top, yet to me it is clear it is common sense.
“We need to be at a point where it is routine and seen as socially acceptable to warm-up before sporting activity of any kind at any level.”
Mr Qureshi said the only way injury prevention would become an integral part of sporting activity would be for it to be taught from an early age in schools and by instructors at out of school clubs.
“Physical activity and sport is such an important part of life in general and anyone wishing to partake should be commended, but the advantages are severely limited when you spend the next year on the sidelines,” he said.
“To really emphasise the importance of injury prevention and preparation in sport, we must look for it to be taught properly at an early age and not have it glossed over as a take it or leave it option.”
For more information or to book a consultation with Mr Qureshi, please contact us here
A top knee surgeon in Southampton is among the first in the south to offer patients access to pioneering robotic joint replacement surgery.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee and limb reconstruction surgeon, is set to begin partial and total knee replacements in the city using the technology next month at the Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital.
The Stryker Mako robotic arm-assisted system is designed to make total knee, partial knee and hip replacement surgery more precise than ever before by creating a custom-made surgical experience.
Surgeons are able to develop a personalised plan for patients before they enter the operating theatre by using a 3D model of their anatomy created from a CT scan to determine the exact implant size required and correct positioning.
The robotic arm - which only moves when directed by the surgeon - then uses this information to cut and remove the bone allowing the implant to be fitted with precision, reducing the risk of surgical errors while helping to protect vital structures.
The technology, which is available at 15 centres across the UK, has been shown to reduce complications and readmissions and results in a quicker recovery and less post-operative pain.
Knee replacement surgery is the most common type of joint replacement operation in the UK, with more than 100,000 carried out on the NHS and privately every year - mainly as a result of wear and tear of the joints known as osteoarthritis.
“I am really excited to be able to offer patients access to this state-of-the-art technology, which is at the forefront of personalised healthcare - every patient will receive a unique surgical experience,” said Mr Qureshi, who also operates at Spire Southampton Hospital and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
“The Mako robot enables us to make smaller incisions and precise removal of bone and either partial or total replacement - which results in less pain, quicker recovery and better movement.”
The procedure, which costs around £13,000, is currently only available privately. For more information or to make an appointment, call 023 8091 4505 or email deborah.clark@spirehealthcare.com.
Mr Qureshi now offers ConforMIS Knee Replacements.
To provide patients with better results, ConforMIS has developed the only 3D printed customised total knee replacement that is designed specifically for your knee.
Custom-made for your unique anatomy
Conformis knee implants are designed to match every aspect of your natural knee. The goal of any knee replacement is to be pain-free, restore natural motion, and for patients to return to their everyday activities. The custom-made knee implants are designed specifically for your unique anatomy, enabling Mr Qureshi to deliver better outcomes in knee replacement surgery and higher patient satisfaction
Customised for you in only four weeks, ConforMIS iFit® image-to-implant® technology converts a CT scan of your knee into a 3D model and then designs an implant that’s unique to you. This fully automated process ensures that your implant is made for you and you alone!
For more information or to make an appointment please call Debbie on 023 8091 4505.
