Knee replacement surgery (Total and Partial)

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.

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. 

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).

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

To discuss knee pain with an orthopaedic consultant who specialises in knee treatments:

1. Complete our online form or call 020 3733 0947
2. Remember to have your GP referral letter to hand 
3. 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

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.

CHESHIRE