Knee Replacement

Knee replacement

Introduction

Knee replacement: an animation

This animation shows how knee replacement surgery is done and explains why it would be needed.

Having an operation

If your GP has suggested you may need surgery, this guide is for you

Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty), involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.

It's a routine operation for knee pain most commonly caused by arthritis.

More than 70,000 knee replacements are carried out in England and Wales each year, and the number is rising. Most people who have a total knee replacement are over 65.

For most people, a replacement knee will last for at least 15 to 20 years, especially if the new knee is cared for properly and not put under too much strain.

Types of surgery

There are two main types of surgery, depending on the condition of the knee:

total knee replacement (TKR) - both sides of your knee joint are replaced partial (half) knee replacement (PKR) - only one side of your joint is replaced in a smaller operation with a shorter hospital stay and recovery period

Read more information about how knee replacement surgery is performed.

Why is knee replacement surgery needed?

The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. Other conditions that cause knee damage include:

A knee replacement is major surgery, so is normally only recommended if other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, haven't helped reduce pain or improve mobility.

You may be offered knee replacement surgery if:

you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced
your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep
everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible
you cannot work or have a normal social life

Read more about why knee replacement surgery is used.

Can I have knee replacement surgery?

Adults of any age can be considered for a knee replacement, although it's typically recommended for older people as young, physically active people are more likely to wear the joint out.

The earlier you have a knee replacement, the greater the chance you will eventually need further surgery. However, there is some evidence that replacing the knee joint before it becomes very stiff leads to a better outcome.

Most total knee replacements are carried out on people between the ages of 60 and 80. You will need to be well enough to cope with both a major operation and the rehabilitation afterwards. Read more information about getting ready for knee replacement surgery and recovering from knee replacement surgery.

Are there any risks?

Knee replacement surgery is a common operation and most people do not experience complications. However, as with any operation, there are risks as well as benefits.

Complications are rare but can include:

infection of the wound
unexpected bleeding into the knee joint
ligament, artery or nerve damage in the area around the knee joint
blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

In some cases, the new knee joint may not be completely stable and further surgery may be needed to correct it.

Read more information about the risks of knee replacement surgery.

Last reviewed: 23/04/2012

Next review due: 23/04/2014

Comments

19 Comments about ‘NHS Choices’

Our rules:

Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

alicia grace said on 24 April 2012

it is now 6 months since i had my new knee,i made a comment just 4 weeks after having it done, it is now brilliant i can walk really fast,run up stairs and do a really busy shift in the cafe where i work without any pain at all, i did have some muscle pain,especialy in my shin but i found the more i walked the better it got it bends and twists now like a normal knee and i would say it has changed my life 150% people told me it was good but i did not think it was this good ,i have had no problems since day 1 i would say to anyone thinking about it go for it ,it is worth it,

Fox1 said on 09 April 2012

I am having a simultaneous bilateral knee replacement surgery in two months time. Has anyone had this done I know it will be painful but I am looking forward to the end result

kbaruin said on 03 April 2012

Hi There,

My mum is 52 now. She is suffering from severe knee pain. I donno what the problem is called i mean the medical name of her problem. she did not had any accidents for this pain. The pain is only on one of her knee joints. Doctors say the knee joint started to get worn off(wearing off) and at initial stage. She is a bit over weight. She started on loosing weight but with the pain, its becoming difficult for her. One of the doctors suggested partial knee replacement, but she is worried if it could worse her present situation as she is ok doing her daily activities. Please if anyone could suggest options, or tips, it will be very helpful to make the decision for her.

Thanks in Anticipation

decorator said on 27 February 2012

i had a left knee replacement in december 2011. i had a slight infection a few weeks after the op,which i had anti biotics for and that soon cleared up.After 3weeks i was walking a mile aday,after 6weeks i now walk 2miles.and do a few miles on the excercise bike.The excercise stiffens the leg up and the replacement feels tight.But most of the pain seems tobe soft tissue above and to the side of the operation.I have also had pain with my other knee,most people think this is due to putting weight on the other leg.But would recomend you get it done,although it is not a quick process.

micktek said on 07 February 2012

Micktek
Had first knee replacement July 19 2010, full recovery took about a year.
Second knee replaced August 2011, on track for the same level of recovery as first knee.
Found that a reasonable recovery took about 3 months, and then almost a year before the knee completely settled down.
I go to the gym (treadmill, cycle, cross trainer and rowing) 2 - 3 times per week and find that this really helps.

nanny digby said on 27 January 2012

I have had two total knee replacements,1st feb 2010 and 2nd jul 2010,both times although different pain relief used post op am now reaping the benefits.I must say a big Thank you to The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for the excellent care given to me both times.I don't tend to kneel on hard surfaces as it doesn't feel right no actual pain,have had some problems with my feet from now walking properly but am having physio which is helping.I must say you must do your exercises as this will help keep you mobile and strengthen your knees.I won't say it wasn't without pain after the op but my Hospital had dedicated pain nurses who did their upmost to make you comfortable.I do get the odd tenderness from time to time but no arthritic Pain!!! I do have Arthritis elsewhere hips ,back etc so expect I shall be back in Hospital again,but am not worried.By the way my age was just before my 60th when I had the ops.I do hope this has been of help to someone.

alicia grace said on 19 November 2011

i had a knee total replacemet on 14th october 2011 and after 4 weeks i am feeling fine.i can walk without a stick now and i can carry out houseold chores as normal without lifting,i am reall y pleased with the whole operation right from coming round from the general anesthetic to now i have felt no pain,only on paracetamol now,i can walk round the shops for at least half an hour and feel fine,my leg bend was 90 degrees the day after my op and it is getting better, i am really pleased i had it done and i am looking foward to getting back to work after christmas without any pain,the pain before the op was really bad,had me in tears,i would recommend it to anyone, dont be scared.i know its easy to say,i was, but i cannot fault the treatment i have had.read all about it and ask people about their experiences and you will fell alot better and confident.one tip i have is when having a shower if you cannot climb in your bath,un hook the shower head and stand in a kids paddling pool next to the bath with a bath mat in it,this way you do not have to climb and can hold onto the sink.

katiecrunch said on 25 October 2011

I am a 53year old woman i had my 1st knee replacement 9 years ago and is having a full revision of that knee in 3 weeks time i would be greatfull if anyone could give me advise and what u expect thankyou xx

freelander2011 said on 15 October 2011

my son is 24 and very tall and skinny, he has dislocated his knee a few times over the years, he is now having physiotherapy but the excersises are making it worse and he is getting pains at the top of his leg and he has been told he is double jointed,
he is having a lot of time off work which they aint happy about, do you think he will need an operation at his age ?

sweetlouise said on 12 October 2011

I'm a 38 year old woman looking at knee replacements (one this year, and one next year) due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is some concern as to how long they will last for me, but they are currently so bad there is no choice. Any advice from anyone who's been through this procedure would be appreciated.

sweetlouise said on 12 October 2011

jomc20 said on 04 September 2011

It is good to hear that some people have such successful knee replacements but these reports of remarkably quick and relatively pain-free experiences may cause disappointment and worry to those who take longer to recover. Maybe age is a factor, but my mother who had a knee replacement a few years ago, took about a year to recover and suffered a lot of pain as her body seemed not to accept the alien implant. Her second replacement of the other knee about a week ago is causing a lot of pain. She is 80 but slim and very fit (she swims in the sea all summer!) We hope that once she recovers her quality of life will be much improved but this is major surgery and it is quite normal to have swelling and pain initially. The surgeon managed to correct a quick noticeably sideways bend in her leg at the same time as replacing the knee.

RedRoverOne said on 24 July 2011

I had a total knee replacement in August 2007 at the Northampton General Hospital. As my femur was somewhat bent as the result of a previous accident many yearsago it took a special skill to correct the alignment of my leg.
I had a general anasthetic felt no pain, on day three I passed the physiotherapy tests and was allowed home, the following day with the help of crutches I walked to the shops and back about half a mile, A week later I drove back to North Wales to where I had recenty moved.
I received excellent treatment and I can honestly say that it has transformed my life, after a few weeks I discarded my stick, I can now at the age of 73 lead an active life and walk as far asI want.
I would like to reassure anyone facing a total knee replacement to go ahead and not worry about it, it was one of my better decisions.

picken said on 20 February 2011

I'm a candidate for TKR but concerned about a repeat of a bad experience a year ago during knee arthroscopy. They used a tourniquet round my thigh. This damaged the long saphenous vein. I had massive internal bleeding. This was unrelieved and took months to disperse. The pain was intense for several weeks. My concern is that a tourniquet would be used for knee replacement, with risk of the same vein damage.

chrixa said on 14 February 2011

I had my first knee replaced when i was 58, and the second 1 done 2 years later,both have been very successful and great as no more pain after surgery with both i was back driving again after 8 weeks and working as a carer,i would reccommend it to anyone and hope it is as succesful as mine have been,just one thing can anyone who has had them replaced lneel on them?i can but with a little difficulty but glad to say that is only a small problem.

idewar05 said on 04 February 2011

Further to my comments dated 16 November last year, I can confirm my second knee replacement was also extremely successfull. Twelve weeks on, my only difficulty was getting out of the house due to the heavy snow but now, doing well. Walking a mile a day with no stick and looking forward to summer! Once again, my appreciation to the NHS and the team at Goole!

sobergirl said on 06 January 2011

I am a 60 year old woman and had total knee replacement done on 22nd October 2010 . I am still in a lot of pain at times and also after exercise pain can be really bad. Haven't been out much due to the weather as frightened in case I fall so don't know if maybe that has slowed my recovery.

idewar05 said on 16 November 2010

Contrary to the above comment, at age 64 I had my first knee replacement at Goole District Hospital on June 23rd 2010. The operation was a great success and recovery much quicker than I anticipated. Now, pain free in one knee and a 'bend' of 124 degrees, I will be having the second knee replaced tomorrow, a mere 21 weeks later. Yes, there are days when the new knee twinges; but it doesn't feel 'alien' to me and the lack of constant pain is worth the effort. I recommend this surgery, and Goole Hospital, to anyone considering TKR's. Thank you NHS

micktek said on 24 October 2010

I am a 59 year old fit and healthy male who underwent total knee replacement on July 19th 2010. Made a good recovery from surgery according to surgeon and physio. Still suffering from pain, the pain is not from the knee it is from both sides of the knee, the pain can be quite strong and is worse after exercise, I am being told that this is normal. The new knee feels very mechanical and alien to my body, it also feels very loose and is constantly clicking and cracking, surely this cannot be considered a good recovery ?

Introduction