Mr Ashutosh Acharya talks about Knee Surgery

At some point, many of us will experience knee pain that starts to affect everyday life — from walking the dog to climbing the stairs. While it is easy to reach for painkillers and hope things improve, there often comes a time when expert advice can make all the difference.

In the latest instalment of our Meet the Consultant series at Spire Cheshire Hospital, we sit down with Mr Ashutosh Acharya, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, to talk about knee replacement surgery — and to challenge some of the common fears surrounding it.

For many people, the idea of joint replacement can feel daunting. As Mr Acharya explains, that hesitation is completely understandable, but it should not prevent people from exploring their options.

“Patients often wait longer than they need to,” he says. “They manage pain with medication or reduce their activity levels, but that can impact quality of life. The important thing is to understand what treatments are available — and surgery is not always the first step.”

In fact, one of the key messages from this conversation is that knee replacement is far more nuanced than many people realise. While total knee replacement is widely known, partial knee replacement is increasingly offering a more targeted solution for suitable patients.

“More often than not, we find that only one part of the knee is affected,” Mr Acharya explains. “In those cases, a partial knee replacement can be a very effective option. It is less invasive, recovery is typically quicker, and patients often report a more natural feeling in the joint afterwards.”

At Spire Cheshire Hospital, partial knee replacement is routinely offered to appropriate patients, providing access to a treatment that is not always widely available in all NHS settings. Crucially, outcomes are highly encouraging — with research showing that partial replacements can be just as long-lasting as full knee replacements.

Alongside surgical options, the podcast also explores non-surgical treatments, including physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and pain management strategies. The goal, Mr Acharya emphasises, is always to tailor treatment to the individual.

“It is about finding the right treatment at the right time for each patient,” he says. “And that starts with a proper assessment and an open conversation.”

Mr Acharya brings a wealth of experience to that conversation. His practice focuses on trauma and surgery of the hip and knee, with particular expertise in joint replacement, arthroscopic knee surgery and ACL reconstruction. After qualifying from the University of Mumbai in 1994 and completing postgraduate orthopaedic training, he moved to the UK, undertaking higher surgical training in the Mersey Deanery.

He further developed his specialist interest through prestigious fellowships, including the Exeter Hip Fellowship, where he conducted research into the mechanical properties of cement, and a lower limb reconstruction and arthroplasty fellowship in Melbourne with renowned surgeon Neil Bergman.

Since returning to the North West, Mr Acharya has built extensive experience across leading centres including Royal Liverpool and Wrightington hospitals, before taking up his consultant role at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Today, he treats a wide range of conditions, from arthritis and sports injuries to complex knee and hip problems, including ACL injuries, patella instability and paediatric knee conditions.

Alongside his clinical work, he is a committed educator, contributing to postgraduate training, serving as faculty for both the AO and Exeter hip courses, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. He is also the MAC Orthopaedic Lead at Spire Cheshire Hospital.

For listeners, this episode offers both reassurance and practical advice — including the key questions to ask when considering treatment:

• What are all my treatment options, including non-surgical ones?
• Am I suitable for a partial knee replacement?
• What are the risks and benefits of each procedure?
• What will recovery look like for me?

As Mr Acharya makes clear, understanding your options is the first step towards making the right decision — and potentially getting back to the activities you enjoy.

You can listen to the full conversation with Mr Ashutosh Acharya in the latest episode of the Spire Cheshire Hospital podcast series.