A total knee replacement means your diseased knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and/or plastic which should relieve the pain caused by the damaged weight-bearing surfaces, and improve movement. It is more common than a partial knee replacement. This surgery is performed on people whose quality of life has been so severely affected by their knee pain that they find it difficult to sleep, work or carry on with their normal lives.
You will need to stay in hospital for around five days and the operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. During the operation the surgeon makes a single cut down the front of your knee and removes the damaged surfaces from the thigh bone and shin bone, reshaping the surfaces to fit the artificial joint.
After the operation a physiotherapist will help you to do exercises that help you to recover and you will be able to go home after a few days, once you can walk with sticks or crutches. Recovery usually takes several weeks and you may need a walking stick or crutches for up to six weeks.
The London Knee Unit offers advice and treatment for conditions that affect all parts of the knee. If you would like to find out more about the treatments we provide for orthopaedic conditions please visit our other musculoskeletal sites:
Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle injuries Nerve injuries Shoulder injuries