Knee Rejuvenation in Sharjah

What is knee rejuvenation?

Knee rejuvenation is a group of cosmetic treatments that improve the look of the skin and contour around the knees. It is a treatment for appearance only and is separate from knee joint care, which sits with orthopaedics.

The knee area changes in three ways, often together. A soft pad of fat can sit on the inner side of the knee and just above the kneecap, and it tends to stay even when the rest of the legs slim down. The skin over the front of the knee is thin and folds with every bend, so it loses firmness and develops a crinkled, crepey texture. And as the thigh above loses tone, the skin can gather into a small overhang above the kneecap when you stand.

Because each change has a different cause, knee rejuvenation is a plan rather than a single procedure. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah it is provided within the Plastic Surgery department and planned by Dr. Hamid Esmaeil, Specialist General & Cosmetic Surgeon.

Who needs it

Knee rejuvenation suits adults in good health, at or near a stable weight, who are bothered by the look of their knees in shorts, dresses or swimwear. The right option depends on what the surgeon finds on examination:

• Fullness from a fat pad with firm skin usually suits liposuction of the inner knee, often blended into the lower inner thigh so the leg line looks smooth.
• Crepey or mildly loose skin with little fat usually suits non-surgical skin tightening, which uses controlled heat in the deeper layers of the skin to encourage it to firm, over a course of sessions.
• Thin, creased skin that has lost quality can be treated with injectable skin treatments placed just under the skin, related to dermal fillers, which support the skin and improve its texture.
• A mix of fat and loose skin often suits liposuction followed by a course of skin tightening.

The consultation starts with the whole leg, because knee fat is often part of a thigh contour and is best treated in proportion. A cosmetic consultation sets out the options, how they combine and the costs.

What happens

Knee liposuction is a short surgical procedure, usually a day case, performed under local anaesthesia with or without sedation, or under general anaesthesia when it is combined with the thighs. The surgeon marks the fat while you stand, makes a tiny incision in a natural skin crease near the knee, and removes the fat through a fine tube, shaping the area so it blends with the thigh and calf. A compression garment is put on before you go home.

Skin tightening is done in the clinic with no incisions. A cooling gel is applied, and the treatment head is moved across the skin above and around the kneecap while it warms the deeper layers. You feel warmth, and you can walk out and carry on with your day.

Injectable skin treatments are given in the clinic by a doctor with the training and privileges for injectables. The skin is cleaned and numbed, and small amounts are placed under the skin across the front of the knee using a fine needle or cannula.

Preparing for it

For liposuction, a health check and blood tests confirm you are ready, and you receive fasting instructions if you are having sedation or a general anaesthetic. Share a full list of medicines and supplements, including blood thinners, fish oil and vitamin E, which affect bruising. Stopping smoking helps healing. Bring loose trousers or a long skirt that fits over a compression garment, and arrange a lift home.

For skin tightening and injectables, arrive with clean skin free of lotion or self-tan on the knees. Avoid strong sun on the area in the days before, and tell the clinician about any recent skin treatment. Many people plan treatment for the cooler months, when the knees are covered while they settle.

Afterwards

After liposuction, the knees feel bruised and swollen, and the compression garment is worn day and night for the period the surgeon advises to help the skin settle onto the new contour. Walking is encouraged from the first day. The shape continues to refine as the swelling goes down. Desk-based work usually resumes sooner than standing or manual jobs, and the surgeon gives you a personal timeline.

After skin tightening, the skin may look pink and feel warm for a short while. After injectables, mild swelling or bruising can appear at the injection points. In the Sharjah summer, use a high-factor sunscreen on treated skin and keep compression garments dry by changing them when they become damp from sweat.

Contact the hospital urgently if a knee becomes hot, red and increasingly painful, if a wound leaks or you develop a fever, or if a treated area turns pale or dusky after injection. **Go to the emergency department straight away if your calf becomes swollen and painful or you become short of breath.**

Cost and insurance

Knee rejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment, so it is self-pay and falls outside UAE insurance cover. The cost depends on the options chosen, whether the thighs are treated at the same time, and, for skin tightening, how many sessions are planned. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah gives you a personal quote after your consultation, and you can ask for details on 06 599 7777.