Knee Replacement Surgery

If your knee has been damaged by injury or affected by an illness like arthritis, it can have a big impact on your lifestyle. Thankfully, with partial or full knee replacement surgery, you can overcome pain, improve your mobility and enjoy a better quality of life.

- Free, no-obligation consultation
- GMC-registered surgeons
- Care Quality Commission registered
- Comprehensive aftercare

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WHAT IS A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

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ARE THERE ANY RISKS OR DISADVANTAGES WITH KNEE REPLACEMENT OPERATIONS?

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IS KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY RIGHT FOR ME?

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WHAT’S THE TYPICAL COST OF KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

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WHY CHOOSE THE HOSPITAL GROUP FOR YOUR PRIVATE KNEE REPLACEMENT?

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WHAT IS A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a procedure that replaces damaged cartilage and bone with an artificial knee joint.

Although it can be performed on adults of all ages, it is more common in people aged between 60 and 80. According to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), 106,334 knee replacements were performed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2017, with the average age of patients being 69.

There are several types of knee replacement, including:

Total knee replacement – During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur is removed and replaced with a metal shell, and the end of the tibia is replaced with a channelled plastic component with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the kneecap, a plastic ‘button’ may be added under the kneecap surface to help movement.
Partial knee replacement – In partial knee replacement surgery, only the affected area is replaced. That means the left or rightof the joint (also known as a compartment) is removed and replaced with a plastic-metal component like that used in a total knee replacement.
Bilateral knee replacement – In this operation, both knees are replaced at the same time. Bilateral knee replacements can be total or partial.
Knee cartilage replacement – This involves replacing the cartilage within the knee with artificial materials.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

A knee replacement operation offers several benefits, including reduced or eliminated pain, improved movement and increased quality of life. Other conditions affected by poor movement can also see improvements, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Most knee prostheses can be expected to last around 15 years, and with the new joint, you will be able to take part in low impact sports such as swimming, golfing and biking.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OR DISADVANTAGES WITH KNEE REPLACEMENT OPERATIONS?

As with any surgical procedure, there are some potential risks and disadvantages that may occur because of a knee replacement operation.

This includes the natural wearing out of the artificial joints (requiring a treatment known as revision to replace or repair them), infection, deep vein thrombosis, anaesthesia complications, bleeding and nerve damage. In your consultation, our experts will talk you through all the possible risks so you can be comfortable continuing with the procedure.

That said, according to a 2018 review of studies looking into patient satisfaction rates following total knee replacements, most scores were 80-100% satisfied. Revision rates are also very low. A 2011 study found knee replacement revision rates were around 6% after five years and 12% after 10.

As a guide, risks associated with knee replacement surgery include dislocation, fracture, infection, blood clots, scarring, inflammation around the joint, and fluid build-up.

IS KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY RIGHT FOR ME?

If you are affected by knee pain or movement issues, knee replacement surgery could be beneficial. Our nurses and surgeons will talk you through whether a partial or total knee replacement is the right course of action during your free initial consultation.

You would be an ideal candidate if you’re in good physical health with a healthy BMI. In order to optimise the results, we’d recommend leading a healthy lifestyle following the procedure – with gentle exercise and a healthy diet. As with all surgeries, it’s helpful to have an optimistic outlook and be emotionally ready for the procedure.

WHAT’S THE TYPICAL COST OF KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

As a responsible provider of surgery, The Hospital Group understands that every person is different and so we’ll tailor your procedure to your individual needs. At your free consultation, your surgeon assistant will be able to talk you through the procedure itself, let you know the cost, and talk through the payment plans available.

We have several finance options to choose from, ranging from paying for the procedure outright, to spreading the cost over a number of years on our flexible finance plans. Learn more about these on our Pricing and Finance page.

WHY CHOOSE THE HOSPITAL GROUP FOR YOUR PRIVATE KNEE REPLACEMENT?

The Hospital Group are experts in helping patients gain mobility and pain relief with private knee replacement surgery.

For over 45 years, our General Medical Council (GMC) registered surgeons have provided leading care, personalised to the specific needs of each patient. It is for that reason you can trust our care – from consultation to operation and recovery.

Our facilities are leading. Our private hospital in Bromsgrove, Burcot Hall, and all our regional clinics, are fully certified by the Care Quality Commission, Healthcare Infection Society and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

Whether you need private total knee replacement surgery, a partial replacement or knee cartilage replacement, we can help. All costs are clear and flexible finance is typically available.

Fast Facts

Surgery Time: 1 - 3 hours

Time Off Work: 6 - 8 weeks

Hospital Stay: 1 night

Full Recovery: From 8 - 12 weeks

Exercise: After 8 - 10 weeks

Scarring: Will fade over time

Final Results: From 2 years

Looking after your new joint

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Patient Stories

Christine Hooper

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FAQ

Knee Replacement Surgery FAQs

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HOW LONG IS KNEE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY?

It can take up to two years for a full knee replacement recovery, but you should be able to resume normal daily activities within six weeks. Any pain and swelling you’ve been experiencing should settle within three months. Your leg may be swollen for up to a year.

How long will it be before I feel normal?

It can take up to two years for your knee to recover, but you should be able to resume normal daily activities within 6 weeks. Any pain and swelling you’ve been experiencing should settle within 3 months. Your leg may be swollen for up to a year.

When can I drive again?

Most people are able to drive again after 6 to 8 weeks, but you should check with your surgeon before attempting this.

WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK?

If you have a desk-based job, you should be able to return after six to eight weeks. However, if your job requires any heavy lifting or manual labour, you may need to wait for around 12 weeks before returning to work.

When can I do housework?

You should be able to get back to most daily activities, including light chores, after six weeks, although you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around 3 months following your operation.

WHAT SHOULDN’T I DO AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

We recommend gradually building up to any activity during your recovery period, though there are some activities we advise you to avoid completely – even after your recovery. You should certainly avoid high-impact sports such as running, contact sports or weightlifting. Your surgeon will be able to advise you further as to which sports you can participate in. For instance, they may recommend that you avoid tennis, squash and skiing, but that you carry out gentle exercise like cycling, dancing and golf instead.

How soon can I fly after knee replacement surgery?

You should discuss flying timescales with your GP, as your chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases after surgery. Airlines also have their own regulations relating to passengers who have recently had surgery, so you should check this beforehand.

WHAT DOES THE KNEE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY PROCESS INVOLVE?

After your knee replacement surgery, you’ll be encouraged to get up and go for a short, assisted walk as quickly as possible. This can be done with the help of our care team and a walker or crutches. Once you return home, you’ll need someone with you for at least a week to help you with shopping, cooking, cleaning and other daily activities. You will be prescribed pain medication that should help ease any discomfort. It’s important to try to get up and walk as soon as you’re able, either with the help of a walker, cane or crutches. You will need to take at least six weeks off work after your private knee replacement and you won’t be able to drive for this time. You should avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for six to 12 weeks and try to be as gentle as you can with your new joint. For the first six weeks, you should avoid sitting with your legs crossed, twisting your knee or kneeling on the affected leg. After six to eight weeks, you should be walking normally and can continue with gentle exercise like swimming. Within a year, you should expect to feel comfortable with your new knee, but you should continue to avoid any extreme sports or any activities that put a lot of strain on your joints. You should be able to get back to most daily activities, including light chores, six weeks into your knee replacement recovery. However, you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around three months following your operation. You should discuss flying timescales with your GP, as your chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases after surgery. Airlines also have their own regulations relating to passengers who have recently had surgery, so you should check this beforehand.

HOW LONG DOES KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY TAKE?

Typically, knee replacement surgery takes between one to three hours to complete, with total knee replacements taking longer than partial operations. Your surgeon will talk to you regarding how much time your procedure may take.

IS KNEE REPLACEMENT PAINFUL?

Your knee replacement surgery will be painless during the procedure as you will be under general anaesthetic. There may be some pain during and after recovery, but you will be advised on how to control this with medication. Long-term sensitivity around the incision is possible too.

ARE THERE ANY IMPORTANT EXERCISES TO PERFORM AFTER A KNEE REPLACEMENT?

There are several exercises you can try during your knee replacement recovery, but the exact ones you try will be discussed with you by your surgeon. That’s because different exercises are better for different procedures and points during your recovery.

WHAT CAN CAUSE THE KNEE TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT?

Knee replacements are typically performed on people suffering from chronic and severe knee pain that prevents normal movement. The causes of this pain are varied, including arthritis (osteoarthritis specifically), a new injury to the knee bones or cartilage, an old knee injury that has degraded over time, gout, haemophilia, bone growth diseases or a knee deformity.

Next steps

Your journey step by step

First appointment

Your journey with The Hospital Group begins with a free telephone consultation with our friendly surgeon assistants. During this conversation you can talk through why you are interested in surgery, how much it costs, the finance options available to you, how much recovery time you will need, and potential surgery dates. Whenever you decide to book a surgery date, you can secure it for a minimum refundable deposit of £500.

If you would like to proceed, we will book your surgical consultation.

Surgical consultation

During this consultation you will talk about your goals for surgery and go through your medical history to ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. You will also discuss the results you might expect, as well as the possible risks and complications of surgery. Our specialist surgeons are extremely knowledgeable, so they can answer any questions you might have.

If you feel you would like to go ahead, you will then be referred to a clinic nurse for pre-operative assessments and tests.

The surgery

You will see your surgeon on the day of your surgery so that you can talk through any final questions and read through the consent form. The whole surgical team will be introduced to you before heading into theatre for the procedure.

The specifics of the surgery will be discussed prior to the day – you will find out how long it will take, the types of anaesthetics used, and they will talk you through the procedure itself.

Recovery

It’s necessary to spend at least one night in hospital after the surgery.

Your total recovery time will depend on the extent of your procedure and your level of fitness prior to it. When you wake up, you will have a large dressing on your knee to protect your wound, and you might also have drains to prevent blood from collecting inside the wound.

You will be encouraged to get up and go for a short walk as quickly as possible with the help of our care team and a walker or crutches.

Aftercare

At The Hospital Group, we offer a full package of aftercare support with all our procedures to give you complete peace of mind. You’ll benefit from the following aftercare: post-op appointments with a member of our clinical team when you need them, surgical cover for 2 years – revision surgery where clinically indicated, additional days’ stay in hospital when needed, additional medication and dressings at no extra cost, and emergency telephone support which you can use at any time.