Knee replacement surgery

A knee replacement operation is a common type of surgery that replaces a damaged knee joint with an artificial knee joint, often referred to as a prosthesis.

Your knee joint consists of two bones surrounded by cartilage tissue that helps to allow smooth movement of the leg, preventing the two bones from rubbing together.

Over time, the cartilage tissue can become damaged from the wear and tear of everyday activities and cause the bones within your knee joint to rub together, leading to long-term pain and, often, the need to be replaced.

For some patients, their knee arthritis may only impact on one side of the joint. In these cases, a partial knee replacement may be a suitable solution, meaning that a total knee replacement isn’t required.

A partial knee replacement can also be referred to as a unicompartmental knee replacement.

Your consultant knee surgeon will be able to assess your situation and discuss with you your options for private knee replacement surgery.

Regardless of where you had your initial consultation or tests, all surgical procedures take place at KIMS Hospital in Maidstone. Most outpatient appointments, including follow up appointments with your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, can take place at either KIMS Hospital or Sevenoaks Medical Centre.

The knee operation is usually carried out under spinal anaesthetic with sedation, so you will not be aware of any pain. During surgery, the parts of your bones that are rubbing together will be removed and replaced with a prosthesis made from artificial materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic.

Your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon will take you through all these details during your initial consultation and our Joint School video is designed to help answer any questions you might have about knee replacement surgery, your prosthesis and recovery, ahead of your operation.

You will usually be in hospital between two to three days, depending on the progress you make following your operation. Your Consultant will discuss this with you prior to your procedure and you will learn about rehabilitation in hospital and discharge in our Joint School video.

Knee replacement recovery time will vary for each individual, but you should be able to stop using walking aids and resume day to day activities by your six-week review with your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. During your stay, you will receive pain relief to help ease discomfort after your surgery.

Our Joint School video will give you more information about pain control, and your Consultant will also be able to discuss this with you during your consultation.

It’s important that you allow yourself enough time to heal properly and complete your physiotherapy programme following knee replacement surgery, but it’s always best to be well informed about your procedure ahead of going in.

Make sure you ask your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon any questions you may have, and watch our Joint School video to learn about every aspect of your treatment, as this will really support your recovery.

This will vary from patient to patient and it may be between six to eight weeks after your procedure before you can drive. However, your Consultant or GP will be able to advise you.

Generally, it may be around six to twelve weeks after your procedure before you can return to work, but this will vary for everyone. However, your Consultant or GP will be able to advise you.

An essential part of your recovery journey will be to continue the exercises you are given by your Physiotherapist, to help prevent stiffness and improve the longer-term outcome of your knee replacement surgery. Your Consultant will also be able to give you advice on looking after your new knee, and our Joint School video will be the perfect source of information for learning about aftercare.

A private total knee replacement at KIMS Hospital starts from £13,500. You can use private medical insurance or pay for yourself. Flexible payment plans are available to spread the cost.