Knee replacement surgery in Rochdale

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure to remove and replace your damaged and painful knee joint with an artificial knee (also known as a prosthesis). This is usually made of metal, ceramic, or plastic material (or a combination of the three components).

At The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale, our team of specialist orthopaedic consultants deliver outstanding, tailored care for knee pain. We offer our services to those who live in Rochdale, Lancashire, and further afield. To find out more about our services, call us or book an appointment with one of our specialist Consultants online today.

The most common presentation of patients who need a full knee replacement is pain, says our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon here at The Highfield Hospital, Rochdale.

Many people who visit us at The Highfield Hospital have tried the following treatment options first:

• Painkillers
• Weight reduction
• Physiotherapy
• Pain relief injections
• Knee supports and walking aids

If these treatment options have not helped you manage your pain, you might need knee replacement surgery. Often, a combination of knee replacement surgery and physiotherapy can eliminate knee pain.

You might experience the following symptoms if you need knee replacement surgery:

• Knee pain
• Knee stiffness
• Knee swelling
• Pain when running
• Pain when resting, or sleeping

Knee replacement surgery can treat several joint pain conditions that cause chronic joint pain, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Psoriatic arthritis

During your initial consultation, your consultant will assess your medical history, examine you carefully, and arrange for an X-ray of your knee if needed.

A consultation will assess the severity of your symptoms and whether surgery is the right treatment option for you. Sometimes, your consultant will suggest weight loss, physiotherapy, or pain relief medication before they do surgery.

This depends on which treatment options you have already tried and whether these have been effective. If you need knee replacement surgery, your consultant will arrange this for you.

After your initial consultation, your consultant and multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will ensure you understand the next steps in your journey and how to prepare for knee replacement surgery, if needed.

Knee replacement surgery can be performed under spinal or anaesthesia.

During total knee replacement surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will remove and replace both sides of your knee joint and replace each with a prosthesis. The back of your kneecap might also be replaced, depending on your reason for having surgery. 

During partial knee replacement surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will only remove and replace the damaged compartment of your knee with a prosthesis. This procedure is generally performed with smaller incisions and has a more minimally invasive approach. 

Robotic assisted arm technology can also help your knee consultant improve the alignment and accuracy of the procedure, and therefore the efficacy of the knee replacement. Find out more about robotic assisted surgery here.

How long does knee replacement surgery take?

Knee replacement surgery takes up to an hour and a half, and recovery time is prompt.

People undergoing knee replacement surgery will be in hospital for anything between one and three days. Physiotherapy will be provided every day, while the patient is in hospital. After discharge, they will be given another physio appointment.

How long do knee replacements last?

Studies by the National Institute for Health Research show that more than 80% of total knee replacement last for 25 years. This reflects the successful, long-lasting nature of knee replacements, and how they can significantly benefit people for more than two decades.

For self-paying patients or those using their medical insurance to pay for treatment at The Highfield Hospital, the cost of knee replacement surgery ranges from £12,000 to £15,000, although our private patients are advised to call the hospital’s team for the most up-to-date-price.

We offer many flexible, easy payment options. These help you spread the cost of your payment over a time that suits your needs.

To find out more about the cost of knee replacement surgery at The Highfield Hospital, you can speak to a trusted member of our advisory team.

Knee replacement surgery offers a great many benefits, but, like any surgery, it carries some risks. Your knee consultant will discuss any risks with you to put your mind at ease.

Approximately one or two out of 10 patients may still have persistent pain following a knee replacement.

Other risks include infection, blood clots, and stroke. The risk of blood clots or infection are also explained before the procedure is scheduled.

You can expect to be in hospital for up to three days following your surgery. They should be able to get out of bed and walk on the same day as your surgery.

Your physiotherapist will help you do this and show you specialist exercises to perform at home to make the most of your recovery. You should be gentle with your activity as you recover at home for the first six weeks.

After six weeks, you can incorporate more strenuous activities into your routine and return to work, if you have an office job.

Within twelve weeks, you should be well on your way to a full recovery, but you will have regular check-up appointments with your consultant to ensure this is the case along the way.

The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale has been a key, local private provider for decades. Combined with the latest in technology and on-site support services, our facilities are perfectly built to undertake a wide range of procedures, from routine investigations to complex surgery.

Ours is a high-volume orthopaedic sector, which adopts the very best technology in joint replacement surgery, including the use of robotic arm-assisted hip replacement surgery, which helps perform the surgery with greater accuracy and precision.

With ultra-clean theatres and excellent infection control, you’re in very safe hands when you visit us at The Highfield Hospital.

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today, or call a member of our team directly.