Knee replacement surgery relives pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis in the knee.
During the surgery, worn and damaged surfaces in your joint are removed and replaced with artificial elements known as implants (sometimes also referred to as a prosthesis).
Many people living in and around Guildford in Surrey are choosing to have treatment for their knee problems carried out privately at Mount Alvernia Hospital.
Offering fast access to a team of experienced knee specialists, along with rapid assessment, diagnosis and treatment, we can help manage your knee pain and stiffness and get you back to your normal daily activities sooner.
The most common reason people will require knee replacement surgery is damage to the knee caused by osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis in the UK and usually gets progressively worse over time.
In a healthy knee, the bones can move against one another smoothly. A thin lining of articular cartilage on the joint surfaces provides friction-free movement. Somebody with osteoarthritis in the knee will have damage to the articular cartilage. As the knee is used and the bones move against one another, friction is generated, which causes pain and stiffness.
Additional symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee may include:
- Restricted movement
- Weakness: The muscles around your knee may appear thinner and your knee joint may give way without warning
- Swelling due to inflammatory changes within the joint known as synovitis
- Grinding (crepitus) when the knee is moved. May also be felt as a creaking or cracking
Normally, the severity of any symptoms will correspond to the degree of damage to the articular cartilage. As osteoarthritis becomes more advanced, any movement of the knee can be excruciating.
Although this page is focused on knee replacement surgery, it is reassuring to know that surgery will not always be needed. Many knee conditions can be treated effectively without the need for surgery.
Non-operative treatments available at Mount Alvernia include:
- Pain relief medication
- Physiotherapy
- Joint injections
When you meet with your chosen consultant at Mount Alvernia, they will discuss your symptoms with you and carry out a clinical examination of your knee. (If they suspect your knee pain may be referred from your hip, leg or back, they will examine these areas too.)
If your pain and stiffness is severe enough for knee replacement surgery to be considered, you will normally be referred for further investigations. These may include blood tests, X-ray, a CT or MRI scan or an ultrasound scan.
With comprehensive imaging facilities on-site at Mount Alvernia, these can all be quickly and easily arranged for you if required.
Once the results of any investigations are back and a diagnosis has been made, your consultant will meet with you again to discuss treatment options with you. If knee replacement surgery is recommended, this will be arranged for you as soon as possible.
A consultant explains the diagnosis process at Mount Alvernia Hospital
“I will discuss a patient’s symptoms with them and carry out a clinical examination of their knee and other areas to make sure the knee is the main pain generator.
"Surgery should always be the last and correct option so I will refer patients for relevant investigations which may include, X-ray, MRI scans or blood tests. Mount Alvernia has a comprehensive imaging department so these can be arranged quickly and easily.”
Once the results of any investigations are back, we discuss all the treatment options available to you. If knee replacement surgery is recommended, this will be arranged for you as soon as possible. “I normally perform partial knee replacements as a day case surgical procedure and total knee replacements can usually go home the following day after surgery and carefully tailored physiotherapy.
“Whether a patient requires a full or partial knee replacement, my approach is to work within a multidisciplinary team of radiologists and physiotherapists to improve the outcome of the surgery. Having those experts involved ensures that the patient has a much quicker mobilisation rate, shorter hospital stay, quicker return to everyday activities, thereby generating a superior outcome all round for my patients.
Depending on which parts of the knee joint have been damaged by osteoarthritis, surgery may be total knee replacement surgery or partial knee replacement surgery.
In both cases, the surgery removes the damaged, worn surface(s) of the joint and replaces it/them with a smooth artificial surface(s). Knee replacement surgery may be performed when you are fully asleep (via general anaesthetic) or anaesthetised from the waist down only (via spinal anaesthetic).
A spinal anaesthetic with sedation might be an option, and this can offer a faster recovery from the anaesthetic.
During the surgery, your consultant will make an incision on the front of your knee and then remove any small bits of damaged bone and cartilage.
They will then securely fix an artificial surface directly to the bone to restore smooth, easy movement to your knee. A local anaesthetic will normally be applied around the knee for pain relief and to make earlier mobilisation possible.
The incision will then be closed with sutures and covered with a dressing. A tight bandage around the joint will help to minimise swelling and small drainage tubes may be left in for up to 48 hours.
Knee replacement surgery will usually take around 90 minutes, but exact timings will depend on a variety of factors.
Immediately after your surgery, you will be taken to our dedicated theatre recovery area for monitoring. Once you have woken up, you will be taken back to your private room to rest and start recovering.
Your nurse will visit you at regular intervals but a call button on your bed means it is easy to summon help at any point. Most people who have knee replacement surgery will need to stay in hospital for two nights afterwards, but your consultant will talk this through with you.
Before you are discharged from the hospital, your physiotherapist will show you how to move safely around your room. They will oversee you getting into and out of bed and walking up and down stairs, as these are all important movements to be able to safely do once you are home.
They will also explain suitable mobility and strengthening exercises for you to do once home to ensure you see the full benefits of your surgery. It is important to follow their advice and not to rush things too quickly to avoid causing damage or slowing your recovery down.
You will normally need to use a walking aid (such as a stick) for your initial recovery. Again, your physiotherapist will give you tailored advice about this.
You will normally see your consultant six weeks after your operation for a check-up. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery at any time, you can contact your consultant for advice and help.
After any type of knee surgery, you may experience some bruising, tingling, numbness, or itching in and around your knee. You may also feel a slight pulling around any stitches when you move your leg.
These are all a normal part of the healing process but if you have concerns at any time, please do contact us for advice. You should not drive after knee surgery until you have recovered enough to use your leg safely.
Your consultant will let you know when you can start driving again (for most people this will be six weeks after surgery). It is important to remember that knee replacement surgery is a significant operation.
While you should expect to feel improvements fairly quickly, a full recovery may take up to 12 months. A slow, steady recovery is far better in the long-term than rushing through recovery at the risk of injuring yourself.
Prices for all the treatments we offer at Mount Alvernia Hospital can be seen on this page. For peace of mind and complete clarity, you will always receive written confirmation of your treatment price after your consultation and following any diagnostic tests needed.
Whether you are concerned with the waiting times for knee replacement surgery elsewhere or have a new knee problem that is causing you concern, a private consultation with one of our knee specialists is the first step to getting you the help you need.
With appointments available throughout the week in dedicated clinics, we can provide you with fast access to consultant-led care. Our consultants have helped thousands of people living in Guildford to get out of pain and stiffness in their knee and back to better, freer movement once more.
They would be delighted to help you too, whether you need surgery or another form of treatment.
We look forward to welcoming you to Mount Alvernia soon.
Content reviewed by Mr Oliver Templeton-Ward in August 2022. Next review due August 2025.
