Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Total Knee Replacement is a surgical procedure that resurfaces a knee joint damaged by arthritis or injury, replacing the worn joint surfaces with smooth metal and plastic implants to relieve pain and restore movement.
Who Needs It
Recommended for patients with severe knee arthritis or joint damage causing persistent pain, stiffness and reduced mobility that no longer responds to medication, physiotherapy or other conservative treatment. Common underlying causes include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis following an old injury.
Types of Knee Replacement
Not every patient needs the entire joint replaced. A Total Knee Replacement resurfaces all three compartments of the knee, while a Unicondylar (partial) Knee Replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment, preserving more of the patient's natural bone and ligaments. Your surgeon will recommend the appropriate option based on the extent and location of joint damage.
Preparing for Surgery
Before surgery, patients typically undergo a physical examination, blood tests and imaging to assess the joint and plan the implant size and positioning. Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart disease are optimised beforehand to reduce surgical risk, and patients are counselled on what to expect during admission, surgery and the initial recovery period.
The Procedure
The damaged cartilage and a thin layer of the underlying bone are removed and replaced with a metal and polyethylene implant that recreates the natural movement of the knee joint. Surgery is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia and typically takes one to two hours, after which patients are moved to a recovery area for close monitoring.
Implants Used
Modern knee implants are made from durable metal alloys paired with a medical-grade plastic spacer that mimics the cushioning function of natural cartilage. Implants are selected and sized specifically for each patient during pre-surgical planning and are designed to withstand years of everyday movement.
Benefits
Most patients experience significant pain relief, improved joint mobility and the ability to return to daily activities that had become difficult before surgery.
Risks & Complications
As with any major surgery, Total Knee Replacement carries some risk, including infection, blood clots, stiffness or, rarely, implant loosening over time. Your surgical team will discuss your individual risk factors beforehand and take preventive steps, such as blood-thinning medication and early mobilisation, to minimise these risks.
Life After Surgery
Modern knee implants are built to last many years of normal use, and most patients return to activities such as walking, swimming and cycling without difficulty. Periodic follow-up visits help monitor the implant and ensure long-term joint health.
Price Range
Price on Consultation
Recovery Timeline
Patients are encouraged to stand and take their first steps with support soon after surgery, aided by pain management and physiotherapy.
Hospital discharge typically follows within a few days, with a home or outpatient physiotherapy programme focused on regaining knee movement and strength.
Most patients progress from a walker or crutches to walking independently, with swelling and discomfort steadily easing.
The majority of patients resume normal daily activities, with continued improvement in strength and flexibility over the following months.