Knee Replacement Surgery | NHS

Why It Matters

Knee replacement restores mobility for millions with osteoarthritis, delivering lasting pain relief and reducing long‑term NHS burden.

Key Takeaways

• Knee replacement replaces damaged joint with metal and plastic components.
• Options include total or partial replacement depending on damage extent.
• Surgery lasts 1‑2 hours; anesthesia can be general or spinal.
• Hospital stay typically 1‑3 days; full recovery may take months.
• Implants can last 20+ years, greatly improving pain and mobility.

Summary

The NHS video features consultant orthopaedic surgeon Manpreet Sidhu outlining knee replacement surgery, a procedure that substitutes damaged knee surfaces with metal and plastic components to relieve osteoarthritis‑related pain and stiffness.

Sidhu explains two surgical options—total knee replacement, which replaces the entire joint, and partial replacement, which targets only the damaged compartment. The operation lasts one to two hours and can be performed under general anaesthetic or spinal (regional) anaesthetic with optional sedation. The surgeon accesses the joint through a front incision, reshapes the femur and tibia, fits prosthetic components, and may also replace part of the patella.

Patients attend a pre‑admission clinic to confirm fitness for surgery and receive preparation advice. Post‑operatively, most stay one to three days in hospital, though same‑day discharge is increasingly common. Stitches or clips are removed after about ten days, and a six‑week follow‑up checks recovery; full rehabilitation can extend several months, varying with age and health.

Knee implants typically last twenty years or more, offering substantial improvements in daily function and quality of life. Understanding the procedure, recovery timeline, and long‑term durability helps patients set realistic expectations and plan for postoperative care, reducing complications and healthcare costs.

Original Description

In this video, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Manpreet Singh Sidhu, explains what happens during knee replacement surgery, so you know what to expect. From pre-assessment through to recovery, the video includes 3D animation of the procedure, and pictures.

Mr Sidhu provides information on the difference between a total knee replacement and a partial knee replacement, causes of knee replacement, what anaesthetic is used, how the operation is done, how long the operation takes, how long you stay in hospital, and your recovery at home.

For more information on knee replacements, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/knee-replacement/

Special thanks to @ROHBirmingham for their support on this video.

00:00 - 00:12 What is a knee replacement?

00:13 - 00:23 Total knee replacement vs partial knee replacement

00:24 - 00:31 Causes and reasons for knee replacement

00:32 - 00:48 Preparing for surgery

00:49 - 01:12 Anaesthetic for surgery

01:13 - 01:16 How long does knee replacement surgery take?

01:17 - 02:14 How a knee replacement is performed

02:15 - 02:54 Recovering from a knee replacement

02:55 - 03:01 How long can a knee replacement last?

03:02 - 03:17 Where to get more advice on knee replacements