Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement (knee arthroplasty) replaces a damaged or worn knee joint with a prosthetic one to relieve pain and restore movement. It is one of the most common and successful orthopaedic operations.

Who Needs It

It is usually recommended for severe knee pain and stiffness — most often from osteoarthritis, but also rheumatoid arthritis or injury — when pain limits daily life and non-surgical treatments such as medication, physiotherapy and injections no longer help.

The Procedure

The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone and replaces them with metal and durable plastic components that recreate a smooth, working joint. A total replacement resurfaces the whole knee; a partial (unicompartmental) replacement treats only the affected part. The operation usually takes one to two hours under general or spinal anaesthesia.

Recovery

Gentle movement and physiotherapy begin within a day of surgery, with a short hospital stay. Walking aids are used at first and gradually reduced. Rehabilitation exercises to rebuild strength and range of motion continue for several weeks, with most people returning to normal activities over three to six months.

Benefits and Risks

Knee replacement reliably relieves arthritis pain and restores mobility for the great majority of patients, with modern implants lasting many years. Risks — infection, blood clots and, rarely, implant problems — are uncommon and your surgeon will help minimise them. Committed rehabilitation is the key to the best result.