Knee Surgery at Chaucer Hospital

Some of the reasons people come to us for help include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Instability / knee giving way
• Deformity in the knee
• Knee locking / not fully straightening
• Clicking in the knee
• Weakness in knee
• Difficulty weight-bearing
• Inflammation

Knee conditions that may cause these symptoms include:

• Osteoarthritis in the knee
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
• Meniscus tears
• Joint surface damage
• Iliotibial (ITB) friction syndrome - also known as Runner’s Knee
• Patella femoral pain syndrome
• Patellar tendinopathy
• General sports knee injuries

The cost of your surgery will depend on various factors, including the details of the procedure and which consultant you choose. We’ll give you a full itemised quote before you book.

You can choose to fund your treatment through self-pay (paying for yourself) or use private health insurance. We work with most major providers, and our friendly advisory team can help guide you through using your cover.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR. 

How much is a private knee replacement at Chaucer Hospital?

As above, the cost of private knee replacement surgery will depend on which consultant you choose and the details of your procedure, for example whether you are having a total or partial knee replacement, what type of implant you are having, and if this is your first knee replacement or a revision procedure.

If your knee symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments like pain medication, physiotherapy or cortisone injection, you may be advised that an operation could be an option. Consultants at Chaucer Hospital can provide a number of surgical treatments including:

• Meniscus surgery
• ACL reconstruction
• Total Knee Replacement
• Partial Knee Replacement
• Revision Total Knee Replacement

In addition, biological therapies such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections and Hyaluronic Acid. 

When you meet with your consultant at Chaucer Hospital, they will take a detailed medical history and ask you about your symptoms. They may ask you questions like:

• What symptoms do you have?
• When did you first notice these symptoms?
• If you have pain in the knee, where is it and what does it feel like?
• Have your symptoms been getting worse?
• Have you tried any treatments already? If so, did they help? 

Your consultant will carry out a physical examination of your knee, and possibly your hip, back or lower leg if they suspect a problem in any of these places.

Depending on your symptoms and the physical examination of your knee, your consultant may refer you for additional tests or investigations. Our comprehensive on-site imaging facilities include X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so any tests needed can be easily and quickly arranged for you.

Once the results of any tests are back and your consultant has been able to confirm a diagnosis, they will discuss the results and explain suitable treatment options.

For some conditions, your consultant may carry out a knee arthroscopy, a type of keyhole surgery. This involves making a few small cuts in your knee and passing in a small light and camera attached to a flexible tube (an arthroscope), which transmits a live feed to a screen, giving your surgeon a clear view inside the joint. If any issues are discovered during this procedure, such as cartilage damage or tears to a ligament, they may be able to be addressed at the same time, avoiding the need for further surgery.

>Knee replacement surgery is one of the procedures most commonly performed by our expert consultant orthopaedic surgeons at Chaucer Hospital. It is a common and very effective surgical treatment for damaged knee joints that are causing chronic pain and lack of mobility.

Knee replacement involves replacing the damaged parts of your knee joint with a prosthetic joint, also known as an implant.

Below we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about knee replacement surgery.

How long does knee replacement surgery take at Chaucer Hospital?

Knee replacement surgery usually takes between one and two hours, but this will depend on the details of your surgery, and it can take longer.

Your consultant knee surgeon will give you personalised information so that you know what to expect on the day of your surgery.

How far can you walk 6 weeks after a knee replacement?

Most people can walk for 20-30 minutes at a time 6 weeks after knee replacement surgery, but it’s different for everyone. Rather than focusing on a specific distance, your physiotherapist will work with you to set goals based on your lifestyle and what you want to get back to doing.

How long after knee replacement can you drive?

Most people can start driving again 4-6 weeks after a knee replacement, but this will depend on personal factors including how your recovery is going.

As a genuine rule, you can return to driving when you can perform an emergency stop without pain. However, you should speak to your insurance company directly to ask them, as some policies will have specific rules.

What helps nerve pain after knee replacement?

It’s common to have some nerve pain after knee replacement surgery, and though the worst pain will be over at around the 2-month mark, you may experience some pain or sensations for up to 12 months.

Speak to your consultant or physiotherapist about how to manage any nerve pain you are experiencing. They might suggest specific exercises, medications, or treatments that reduce swelling (which can exacerbate nerve problems).

To book a consultation to discuss knee replacement or any other type of knee surgery with an orthopaedic surgeon near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.