Knee pain and knee replacement
Knee pain can come from wear, an old injury or inflammation in the joint. Assessment starts with your symptoms and an examination, and usually includes X-rays.
Treatment without surgery
Most people start here. Options include strengthening exercise, physiotherapy, weight management, pain-relief medicines, a walking aid or joint injections.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is considered when other treatments no longer help and pain or stiffness limits daily life. Age alone does not decide it.
- Keyhole surgery (arthroscopy)For selected problems, such as some meniscus tears. It does not treat general wear of the joint.
- Partial knee replacementReplaces one worn part of the knee when the rest of the joint is suitable.
- Total knee replacementResurfaces the ends of the thigh bone and shin bone with metal parts and a plastic spacer.
- Robotic-arm-assisted replacementThe surgeon performs the operation, and the system helps carry out the planned bone cuts and implant position.
- Revision surgeryReplaces or repairs an earlier knee replacement that has worn, loosened or become infected.
The risks of knee replacement
Risks include infection, blood clots, stiffness, continued pain, wear or loosening of the implant, and injury to nerves or blood vessels. Medical problems such as heart attack or stroke can also occur. Your own risk depends on your health and should be discussed before you decide.
What to expect
Knee replacement aims to reduce pain and improve daily function. It does not restore a normal knee. Kneeling may be uncomfortable, and high-impact sport is usually discouraged.
How long does recovery take after knee replacement?
What your knee osteoarthritis grade means
Questions patients ask
Do knee injections help arthritis?
What to bring
- Any referral letter
- Earlier X-rays, MRI scans and reports
- A list of your medicines
- Your insurance card or company guarantee letter details, if you have one
This page is general information. It cannot diagnose your condition or tell you which treatment suits you. See a registered doctor about your own symptoms.