Knee replacement surgery is a surgery to remove and replace your knee joint with an artificial knee (also known as a prosthesis). This is usually made of metal or ceramic and plastic material (or a combination of the three components). The surgery is performed to treat and often eliminate chronic knee pain caused by many conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
At The Lancaster Hospital in Lancashire, our dedicated team of orthopaedic consultants perform knee replacements with successful, long-lasting results. We offer our services to those who live in Lancaster, 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.
You might have 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, swelling, and stiffness, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
Living with joint pain can be challenging. It can affect simple things, like tying your shoelaces or fulfilling the exercises you love – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our network of consultants at The Lancaster Hospital can help. To find out more, call us or book an appointment with one of our specialist Consultants online today.
“The most common reason people come to our hospital for knee replacement surgery is due to osteoarthritis of the knee”, says our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Magra at The Lancaster Hospital. Osteoarthritis occurs when the normal cartilage lining of your joint wears out. This can lead to some or all the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Immobility
- An inability to carry out daily activities
- Deformity of the knee
- Swelling of the knee
Before we offer knee replacement surgery, we will assess you thoroughly and take a detailed medical history. This will include information such as your age, activity levels, occupation, hobbies, and past medical history.
During your initial consultation, your consultant will arrange for an X-ray of your knee if needed. After diagnosing your condition, we will build a tailored treatment plan based on your needs.
This might include injection therapy and some lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and minimal high-impact activities. 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.
When you arrive at The Lancaster Hospital for a knee replacement, you will be admitted onto our ward where you will meet our nursing staff, surgeon, and anaesthetist. Our team will answer any final question you have about the operation to put your mind at ease.
Knee replacement surgery is typically performed under spinal anaesthetic 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, but this depends 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 – including how long it lasts and whether you will need knee replacement revision surgery in the future. Find out more about robotic assisted surgery.
How long does knee replacement surgery take?
A knee replacement operation takes approximately an hour, depending on the complexity of your condition, as well as your general health, age, and the nature of deformity you have experienced.
How long do knee replacements last?
Knee replacements are very successful and long-lasting forms of treatment for knee pain. 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, 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 Lancaster 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 risks. Your knee consultant will discuss any risks with you to put your mind at ease. These risks can include, but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Blood vessel damage
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Chest infection
- Difficulty passing urine
- Knee stiffness
- Scar tenderness
- Numb patch
- Swollen legs
- Fracture
- Residual symptoms
- The need for further surgery
- Risk to limb
There is also around a 20% chance that you won't be as satisfied with your new knee as you had hoped.
The majority of people are discharged within two days of knee replacement surgery, but occasionally you may need to be in hospital slightly longer.
You should be gentle with your activity as you recover at home for the first six weeks. After this time period, 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.
Jonathan Stott, from Cartmel in Cumbria, visited The Lancaster Hospital for a knee replacement under Mr Magra’s care and was thrilled with the outcome. Speaking a few months after his knee replacement operation, Jonathan said: “My knee has been much better. There was quite a lot of pain at first, but my consultant told me it would take around six months until my knee fully healed.”
“I couldn’t fault the operation. The team explained what was going to happen and put my mind at ease. I have no complaints whatsoever with Mr Magra. He was brilliant.
“Everything went smoothly. The treatment after the operation in the hospital was out of this world. They really looked after me and couldn’t do much more. I couldn’t praise them enough.”
Jonathan is now able to walk without the pain and discomfort he had prior to his knee replacement surgery, which he is extremely pleased about.
“I think everyone expects to bounce back quicker than you do,” he said, adding that it’s a slow process, but one that was ultimately worthwhile: “I’m nearly six months into it now, and I can lift things easily – my walking is much better too.”
When you choose to go private with us, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to spread the cost of your care
- Exceptional ratings, with 97.3% of patients likely or extremely likely to recommend us to their friends and family
If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today, or call a member of our team directly.
Content reviewed by Mr Merzesh Magra in September 2022. Next review due September 2025.
