Knee Replacement

Our knee service is consultant-led with patients seeing the same consultant from their initial consultation and diagnosis through to surgery and post-discharge care. Our expert orthopaedic surgeons are supported by a fully-equipped diagnostic department offering onsite MRI scanning, x-rays and ultrasound, and work alongside a team of musculoskeletal physiotherapists to help patients return to full mobility as quickly as possible. You don’t need private medical insurance to come to the Rivers knee clinic. If you’re a self-paying patient, you don’t necessarily even need a GP referral. Just call us to arrange an appointment – and we’ll do the rest.

Should I have knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is usually carried out when arthritis has badly affected the knee or the knee has been injured. The cartilage which covers the bony surfaces of the knee joint becomes worn away, which causes pain. The knee may also be visibly swollen. Simple everyday things like going for a walk or tasks around the house become difficult. There’s no cure for arthritis and it can get worse with time.

What does the operation involve?

"A knee replacement is a procedure to remove your damaged knee joint and replace it with an artificial one (a prosthesis or implant). When only some of the joint is damaged, your surgeon may be able to repair or replace just the damaged parts. When the entire joint is damaged, a total knee replacement is done. Your surgeon will choose the implant that best fits your body size and lifestyle."

A knee replacement is normally performed under Spinal Anaesthetic and sedation. The operation usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.

Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your knee and remove the damaged joint surfaces. They will replace these with an artificial knee joint made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or a combination of these materials (see figure 1).

An acrylic cement or special coatings on the knee replacement bond it directly to the bone.

Going home after knee placement

Usually, you will stay in hospital for 1-2 days, but your consultant will decide when you are ready to be discharged. River’s also offers a day case service for Total Knee replacement to patients that fit a criteria.

Before Surgery your physiotherapist will give you some exercises to help get your new knee moving. These are important to help you make a good recovery and must be continued on discharge. The therapist will also show you how to walk up and down stairs and make sure you are confident at doing this before you go home.

It’s usual to return to see your consultant as an outpatient after your operation. You may also need to have stitches removed. You’ll be given information about these appointments before you go home. We’ll also give you some pain relief medication to take with you.


Getting back to normal

When you go home, you may need some help with shopping and household chores. However, it’s also important to gradually increase your physical activity each day, and continue with the exercises the physiotherapist showed you. These will help to reduce stiffness and strengthen your legs. You will need to keep using crutches or a walking stick for a while. Everyone heals differently. You will continue to improve over the next six to twelve months.



Joint School

 

Rivers Hospital Specialists

Related Treatments

Knee Arthroscopy

An arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see inside your knee using a camera inserted through small cuts in the skin.

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Partial Knee Replacement

A partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee replacement, is surgery that replaces only one damaged compartment in your knee with implants.

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ACL Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to repair a torn or injured ACL, a crucial ligament in the knee. It involves using a graft of new tissue, typically a tendon, taken from another part of your knee to restore stability.

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