Meniscal tear
May cause joint-line pain, swelling or mechanical symptoms. Not every tear requires surgery.
Symptoms and options (In Greek)From diagnosis to the right decision
Orthopaedic conditions of the knee, shoulder and hip
A structured starting point to understand what may be causing your symptoms, how a diagnosis is established and which options may be discussed in your case.
Clinical examinationTargeted imagingA clear treatment plan
1
Identify the problemJoint, location and how it began
2
Perform a clinical examinationMovement, strength and stability
3
Investigate with a clear purposeOnly the investigations that are needed
4
Plan togetherOptions with benefits and limitations
Choose an area
Start with the joint that concerns you
Each hub connects symptoms, conditions, non-surgical options, procedures and rehabilitation guides, without replacing an individual diagnosis.
Knee
Meniscus, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, kneecap, fractures and osteoarthritis.
Explore the Knee hub
Shoulder
Rotator cuff, instability, frozen shoulder, tendinitis and arthritis.
Explore the Shoulder hub
Hip
Arthritis, hip fracture, greater trochanteric pain and femoroacetabular impingement.
Explore the Hip hubAnterior cruciate ligament tear
Often associated with a twisting injury, a feeling of giving way and functional instability.
How it is recognised (In Greek)Knee osteoarthritis
Pain on weight-bearing, stiffness and progressive restriction are assessed alongside X-ray findings.
Explore the condition (In Greek)Cartilage injuries
The location and extent of the injury, age and activity level influence the treatment plan.
Explore the options (In Greek)Patellar instability
Episodes of dislocation or apprehension during movement require assessment of stability and anatomy.
Appropriate management (In Greek)Fracture around the knee
Acute pain after an injury, inability to bear weight or deformity require prompt assessment.
Read more (In Greek)Rotator cuff tear
Pain when raising the arm or at night, together with weakness, may be related to tendon injury.
Treatment and options (In Greek)Shoulder instability
After a dislocation or recurrent episodes, the ligaments and possible bone injuries are assessed.
How it is managed (In Greek)Frozen shoulder
Progressive stiffness with pain and restriction of both active and passive movement.
Read the guide (In Greek)Shoulder tendinitis
Overloading and repetitive movement can irritate tendons, but it is important to distinguish this from a tear.
Exercises or treatment? (In Greek)Shoulder osteoarthritis
Pain and restricted movement may affect sleep, dressing and everyday activities.
Causes and options (In Greek)Calcific tendinitis
Calcium deposits may cause severe pain, but imaging findings and symptoms do not always correspond.
Explore treatment (In Greek)Hip arthritis
Groin pain, difficulty walking and restricted rotation are common features.
Symptoms and treatment (In Greek)Hip fracture
Often occurs after a fall in older age and requires immediate hospital assessment.
Explore the condition (In Greek)Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Pain at the side of the hip, particularly when lying down or walking, may involve the gluteal tendons.
Read more (In Greek)Femoroacetabular impingement
In younger, active patients it may cause pain during deep bending or twisting movements.
Explore the condition (In Greek)Hip pain
Pain that persists, occurs at night or is accompanied by inability to bear weight needs assessment.
When is it serious? (In Greek)Osteonecrosis and other causes
Less common conditions require systematic clinical and imaging assessment.
Request an assessmentBeyond the major joints
Other common orthopaedic conditions
The clinic also assesses common upper- and lower-limb problems, sports injuries and bone-related symptoms.
Hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness, night-time symptoms and weak grip require neurological and orthopaedic assessment.
Read the guide (In Greek)Elbow
Epicondylitis
Pain on the outside of the elbow that worsens with gripping or repetitive use.
Explore the condition (In Greek)Ankle
Sprain and Achilles tendon rupture
The severity of the injury and functional examination determine the need for imaging.
Read about sprains (In Greek)Bones
Bone marrow oedema and stress fractures
Persistent pain without a clear injury may need specific imaging investigations.
Read the guide (In Greek)After a serious injury
If there is visible deformity, inability to bear weight, loss of sensation or very severe pain, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call 166 or go to a hospital Emergency Department.
The approach to diagnosis
Treating the patient, not the MRI scan
Imaging abnormalities may be present without explaining the symptoms. The right decision brings together the history, examination, imaging and the person's needs.
Medical history
When it began, what triggers it, what it limits and what has already been tried.
Clinical examination
Movement, pain location, strength, stability and functional tests.
Appropriate imaging
X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or another investigation only when it answers a specific question.
Shared decision-making
Options, benefits, limitations and a realistic goal for returning to function.
Frequently asked questions
What you need to know before a diagnosis
Can one symptom be associated with more than one condition?
Yes. Pain, swelling or stiffness alone are not enough for a reliable diagnosis. The location and pattern of the symptom, the clinical examination and, when needed, appropriate investigations establish the diagnosis.
Is an MRI scan always needed?
No. The choice of imaging depends on the joint, the mechanism of injury, how long symptoms have been present and the examination findings. In many cases, X-ray or ultrasound is a more appropriate first step.
Does being diagnosed with a condition mean I need surgery?
No. Many conditions are initially managed without surgery. An operation is discussed when there is a clear indication, significant restriction or an inadequate response to appropriate non-surgical management.
Scientific basis: the structure of this page follows the principles of clinical assessment and appropriate imaging. Selected sources: ACR — Chronic Knee Pain, ACR — Chronic Hip Pain and NICE — Osteoarthritis.
Medical review: Georgios Petridis, MD, MSc
Orthopaedic Surgeon with a clinical focus on knee, shoulder and hip conditions, arthroscopy, joint replacement and robotic orthopaedic surgery.
View the biographyNext step
Do you have symptoms or an existing diagnosis?
Bring your investigations and a brief account of how your symptoms have developed, so that your practical options can be discussed.