Knee replacement

In knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty), a damaged, worn or diseased knee is replaced with an artificial joint.

Knee replacement is a routine operation for knee pain when the knee joint has been severely damaged, most commonly by arthritis.

There are two main types of surgery, depending on the condition of the knee: total knee replacement and partial (half) knee replacement.

Most people who have a total knee replacement are over 65, and just over half of all patients are women.

Candidates for knee replacement surgery need to be well enough for both a major operation and the rehabilitation afterwards.

Outlook

Wear and tear through everyday use means that your replacement knee will not last forever. However, for most people it will last for at least 15-20 years, especially if the new knee is cared for properly and not put under too much strain.

Revision knee replacement surgery (replacing the replacement knee) is usually more complicated and a longer procedure than the original surgery. There is no set limit to the number of times you can have revision surgery, but it is widely accepted that the artificial knee joint becomes less effective each time it is replaced.

Research has also shown that patients become less satisfied with their artificial knee each time it is replaced. This is one reason why knee replacement is less likely to be recommended for younger patients.