Knee replacement surgery — known as knee arthroplasty — may be needed if other treatments for knee conditions or injury have been unsuccessful. Knee arthroplasty is a successful treatment for arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and conditions that cause knee pain and injury.
We offer three types of knee replacement:
- Total knee replacement: the entire joint of one knee is replaced with artificial parts
- Partial knee replacement: either the inside (medial), outside (lateral), or kneecap (patellofemoral) is replaced
- Bilateral knee replacement: both knees are replaced during a single procedure
In addition to pain relief, the benefits of hip replacement surgery are improved range of motion, mobility, and quality of life.
Who Is a Candidate?
Knee joint replacement surgery is an option when non-surgical treatments — such as braces, physical therapy, medicines, and rehabilitation — don’t relieve pain. People of any age or activity level who experience severe pain that limits everyday activities and disturbs sleep are good candidates for knee replacement.
What to Expect
An orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacements performs your knee replacement surgery. The procedure lasts about two hours, and requires spinal or general anesthesia and/or a regional nerve block (an injection that blocks pain signals to the brain).
During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision on the front of the knee, removes the damaged pieces inside the knee joint, and implants a prosthetic device. After testing the prosthetic joint for proper placement and fit, the surgical site is closed.
Recovery time for knee replacement surgery varies depending on the procedure and your condition. Most people spend a day or two in the hospital and begin outpatient (clinic) rehabilitation and physical therapy. Most people can resume regular activities within six weeks following surgery, but full recovery can take three to six months.
Learn more about how COVID-19 has transformed joint replacement surgery.
Why Choose UHealth?
World-class care in an academic health center. As a research and teaching institution, we treat children and adults with proven, leading-edge procedures based on clinical studies performed at the Miller School of Medicine. Our doctors, residents, nurses, and therapists work together to create healthy outcomes.