What to Expect, Self Pay

Your initial appointment will be a dedicated consultation with Mr Barkatali, typically lasting between 30 and 60 minutes. This allows sufficient time for a thorough assessment, including a full review of your medical history, a detailed examination of your knee(s), and, where appropriate, X-rays arranged on the same day.

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We aim to offer an initial consultation within one week of your enquiry wherever possible.

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You may choose the format that best suits your circumstances: a face-to-face consultation, which is preferred by most patients, or a video or telephone consultation — options often favoured by patients based further afield who wish to begin with a remote assessment.

Should further imaging be required, this is usually carried out in the radiology department of the hospital where your appointment takes place. We work alongside leading radiologists in the region, using advanced equipment and techniques to support an accurate diagnosis.

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Where an MRI or CT scan is required, this can often be arranged for the same day, or within a few days, depending on the availability of the radiology department. Once your results are available, a follow-up appointment will be arranged to discuss them with you.


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Please note that the cost of any imaging is payable directly to the hospital. Current costs (correct as of August 2026) start at:


• X-rays: £150
• MRI scans: £500
• CT scans: £700

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Costs may vary depending on the hospital.

Once the relevant diagnostic information has been gathered, Mr Barkatali will discuss your treatment options with you in detail. Depending on your circumstances, these may range from conservative measures such as physiotherapy or injections, through to surgical intervention. Mr Barkatali will ensure you are fully informed of the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of each option before agreeing on a preferred treatment plan together.

If physiotherapy is recommended, we work with a trusted network of experienced physiotherapists across the North West and will be pleased to guide you towards the most suitable provider for your needs. We will also prepare a detailed referral letter outlining the reasons for the referral and the recommended treatment plan, which can be used to secure approval from your insurance provider.

If an injection is recommended, your injection appointment can be booked either directly with the hospital or through our practice.The appointment typically lasts around 30 minutes, and you will be able to drive yourself home afterwards.
For more information about the types of injections we offer, please see our dedicated injections page.

If surgery is recommended, you are welcome to visit the self-pay department at the hospital to discuss the price in detail and confirm exactly what is included, or we can work with the hospital to arrange for a written quote to be sent directly to you within 48 hours.
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The surgical price is made up of three elements: the consultant fee (which covers the surgery itself, in-patient aftercare, and one follow-up visit), the anaesthetist fee, and the hospital fee. The hospital fee is a single fixed price, covering the surgery, nursing, accommodation, aftercare, and physiotherapy provided at the hospital.
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This fixed fee covers your entire hospital stay, however long it may need to be, so you won't receive any unexpected bills should you need to stay longer than planned for clinical reasons.

Our support doesn't end once you leave the hospital.
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Your fixed price also includes any physiotherapy or rehabilitation sessions recommended by our team, carried out at the hospital, as well as up to two weeks of take-home medication, any bandages required, and the removal of dressings or stitches. Should you need to return to hospital for a clinical reason relating to your treatment, this will not result in an additional bill.
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Both hospitals offer a choice of payment options, including payment plans with interest-free credit available for a set period.
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Once you are happy to proceed, please contact us to arrange a surgery date.

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Mr Barkatali operates a number of lists each week at The Spire Manchester and The Alexandra. Both are gold standard hospitals, recognised for their excellent staff, facilities, and levels of care.
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The typical waiting time for surgery is 4–6 weeks, though earlier availability may sometimes be possible so please contact us to discuss.
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Once a date has been agreed, we will submit a booking form to the relevant hospital to confirm the arrangement. The hospital will then contact you directly to arrange your pre-operative appointments, confirm your arrival time, and advise on any fasting requirements.
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As a general guide, if your arrival time is 7am, you will be required to fast from 12am the night before; if your arrival time is 11am, you will be required to fast from 7am.

For any concerns or queries in the initial weeks following surgery, please contact the hospital where your procedure took place. A member of the medical team will be available to assist and will liaise with Mr Barkatali if required.

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Approximately two weeks after surgery, you will have an appointment with the nursing team to check your wound and remove any sutures or staples.

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A further appointment will take place approximately six weeks after surgery, during which Mr Barkatali will review your progress and discuss next steps. For certain minor procedures, patients progressing well at this stage may be discharged with an open appointment to return should any issues arise. For other procedures, follow-up appointments may continue for 12–18 months, with the number of appointments depending on the type of surgery and the level of follow-up required.

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Rehabilitation is one of the key aspects of our approach. Great surgical outcomes are possible with great rehab and we pride ourselves on this working with some of the best physiotherapists in the country.