Knee replacement surgery (Total and Partial)
An operation to replace the knee joint (arthroplasty)
Knee replacement surgery can help to relieve chronic pain in your knee joint and improve your range of movement
What is knee replacement surgery?
Most people are treated with knee surgery when other types of treatment, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, haven’t delivered the desired results. Your consultant may recommend a partial or total replacement. It is often the solution when the stability in your knee has decreased or your knee’s range of motion has become limited and pain levels haven’t decreased.
Knee replacement surgery is a common joint replacement surgery. Here at HCA UK, we typically perform over 500 knee replacements a year. Figures provided by PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) reported HCA UK was the number one in London for private knee replacement surgery.
During this type of surgery, your knee joint is cleared of any damaged bone and cartilage by resurfacing parts of the knee joint to allow metal and plastic parts to cap the ends of the bones. The most common cause of knee joint pain in the older age group is arthritis, which can be brought on by wear and tear (osteoarthritis), inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis) or injury (post traumatic arthritis). Depending on the level of damage to a knee joint, surgery can be used to treat some of the knee (a partial knee replacement) or the all of the knee joint (total knee replacement).
We are also using robotic technology in the planning of the surgery, to increase accuracy when determining the exact size, placing and positioning of the replacement implant. Our orthopaedic consultants have performed over 1000 robotically assisted surgeries to date which is helping to bring patients faster recovery times, less pain and return to an active lifestyle sooner.
Length of stay at one of our hospitals for a knee replacement varies according to your personal health conditions; however, the average stay is approximately 3 to 5 days.
What are the symptoms?
Typical symptoms present when knee pain and stiffness restricts your mobility, for example, your ability to do everyday tasks such as walking or navigating stairs. Deciding when it’s time for a knee replacement will be made once you have explored options with your GP or orthopaedic consultant.
To help know when it might be time to consider knee replacement surgery, one of our leading consultants has prepared a guide to knee pain and injuries.
Need to know – private knee replacement surgery
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How do I prepare for knee surgery? icon plus
Before surgery, your consultant will evaluate your knee condition to determine whether a total or a partial knee replacement is right for you. This will involve a physical examination to assess the current range of movement in your knee and how stable it is.
Your consultant will also arrange an X-ray and sometimes a MRI. This imaging will help provide a full assessment and your consultant will discuss treatment options with you. You consultant will also discuss the potential risks and side effects of surgery with you.It is also beneficial to plan for your return home post surgery from considering asking for any help with day to day activities, reorganising useful day to day items so they are within reach.
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What happens during a knee surgery procedure? icon plus
Knee replacement surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a cut at the front of your knee and remove any damaged bone and cartilage in the joint from either the lower end of your thigh bone (femur) or the upper end of your shin bone (tibia).
An artificial joint implant – made of metal and plastic – is then fitted into place. Your surgeon will stitch the area, usually putting in a small drain to remove any fluid for the first day after surgery. The whole procedure takes up to two hours. -
Recovery from knee replacement surgery icon plus
Recovery times vary between patients, due to factors such as age or fitness levels, regardless of whether you are still actively employed or retired and the condition of your joint and surrounding ligaments. Often patients like to know when can they drive again or when can they return to work. Both are possible but are dependent upon how your implant incision heals. Your consultant will advise accordingly.
The incision for knee replacement will be covered post surgery with a dressing. To reduce the risk of any infection, avoid swimming and taking baths.
Knee replacement Q&A
To answer many of the questions that patients have about knee replacement surgery, we interviewed Andrew. Read about Andrew’s knee replacement using robot technology.
Andrew’s story
Andrew, a 64-year-old golf professional from Kent, started swinging a golf club at the age of 12. A serious tear to Andrew’s left knee affected his mobility and threatened to keep him off the course for good.
At HCA UK we provide a broad range of orthopaedic services and specific knee treatments across our various locations. In 2022, 96% of our patients said they are likely or very likely to recommend us to their family and friends for orthopaedic care. And 97% of our orthopaedic patients rated us very good or excellent (2022 patient satisfaction surveys).
How do I care for my new knee?
The lifetime of a knee implant is up to 20 years. Advice for looking after your new knee joint will be dependent on lifestyle. The first three months are very important and some considerations:
- Post operation, raise your leg as much as possible and follow your physiotherapy programme
- Post recovery, build up your mobility by engaging in low impact exercise; walking to swimming
- Avoid twisting or bending down
- Resist high impact activities that put stress on your knee joint. Those who enjoy fitness activities benefit from swapping running for cycling
The Cost Of Private Knee Replacement Surgery
Hospital stay and procedure
Prices from
£14,670 subject to the specifics of your treatment as recommended by your consultant.
Indicative consultant fees from £1,425
Expected length of stay
4 nights
Included
Before admission
- Pre-assessment
During your hospital stay
- Accommodation in a standard room as quoted above.
- Routine admission tests
- Patient meals are included but not transferable.
- Nursing care and facilities
- Theatre fees, drugs and dressings
- Removal of stitches, dressing and plaster as required.
- Take home medication
Excluded
- Any additional nights in hospital not described in the above.
- Specialist nursing above and beyond required level of care.
- Any post-operative treatments/consultations which may be required.
- Any additional or more complex procedures not included in our initial agreement.
- Any readmission due to complications will result in additional charges in line with our standard prices.
- Personal costs including visitors’ meals and drinks as well as newspapers.
- Any costs not specified as included.
Our Knee Replacement Consultants
Book a knee replacement appointment
To discuss knee pain with an orthopaedic consultant who specialises in knee treatments:
- Complete our online form or call 020 3733 0947
- Remember to have your GP referral letter to hand
- We’ll confirm your appointment on the phone or if you have any special requests we will get back to you via phone, email within 24 hours
Imaging to help diagnose knee replacement treatment
After your initial appointment with your orthopaedic consultant you may be referred for imaging of your knee joint.
At HCA UK we have 20 diagnostic centres across our network which means we can offer imaging appointments on the same day of your consultation.
Our diagnostic centres are located at the following locations:
LONDON DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
Central: 16 & 30 Devonshire Street, 154 Harley Street, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH)
North London: Platinum Medical Centre, Golders Green Outpatient & Diagnostics Centre and Elstree Diagnostic Centre
The City: Docklands Medical Centre, 31 Old Broad Street, HCA UK at The Shard
West London: Chiswick Medical Centre
South London: King’s Road and Sydney Street, Chelsea
LONDON HOSPITALS
The Princess Grace Hospital, The Wellington Hospital, The Lister Hospital, London Bridge Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic and The Portland Hospital.
BIRMINGHAM HOSPITALS
The Harborne Hospital
CHESHIRE
Our Knee Replacement Surgery Locations in London
From complex knee surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Private Knee replacements in Birmingham
Private Knee Replacements in Manchester
Useful information
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344