Knee replacement surgery

Your operation will be performed by a specialist knee surgeon, usually at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

To help prepare you knee for your operation you need to start doing some exercises that will help strengthen the muscles around your knee to help you recover as quickly as possible. 

See the videos in our exercise section, perhaps try and do these with friends and family before you come into hospital. Getting support from those around you will help you recover more quickly following your operation.

Your Surgery

On the day of your operation you will have the opportunity to ask questions. You will meet a physiotherapist and your anaesthetist who will explain what happens when you have an anaesthetic and answer any questions you might have.

You will also meet your surgeon who will discuss the indications, benefits and risks of you surgery. The knee undergoing surgery will be marked and you will be asked to sign a consent form.

You will be asked to change into a theatre gown and you may be asked to wear compression stockings, these help reduce the risk of developing a blood clot.  With leg surgery these are not usually worn on the leg being operated on, but the nurses preparing you for your operation will tell you if and how you need to wear them. The operation can take between 1-3 hours.

To understand more about how knee replacement surgery is performed check out this animation on the NHS website (knee replacement). You will also find other useful information about why people have knee replacement surgery and some of the risks of such surgery.

After Surgery

When your operation is finished you will usually be taken to the recovery area until you wake up from the anaesthetic. The wound on your leg will be covered by a simple dressing and a bandage will be wrapped around your knee. When you are well enough, you will be transferred to the ward.

Below is a video about what happens after your operation, and what it’s like to wake up in the recovery room, and getting out of bed for the first time after your operation. 

Pain Relief

Before you are discharged from hospital you will spend time with a physiotherapist and when your pain is under control you can go home. It is normal to have some pain, swelling and bruising to your thigh, knee and leg after your operation.

Good pain relief is important to ensure adequate range of movement and prevent stiffness, it is important that you feel comfortable enough to breathe deeply, cough and move around. 

Before you come to hospital we recommend you have some simple pain relief medication at home such as paracetamol so that you don’t need to worry about getting to the shops for the first few days after your operation.

After the operation it is normal to experience swelling around the operated knee. To help reduce swelling your physiotherapist will provide you with an ice pack that can be worn as a cuff around your knee, this is called a Cryocuff. Please watch this video about how to wear and use your cryocuff:

Discharge home after your operation

We aim to discharge you from hospital as soon as you are safe to go home. In some cases this may be on the same day as the operation. There are certain criteria that help the medical team know you are safe to go home, this includes:

• Your wound is healing
• You are able to walk independently with a walking aid
• You can go up and down stairs, with you walking aid independently
• You can lift and bend your operated leg 70 degrees.

Watch this video about preparing to go home after your operation and ways to help your knee recover when at home 

Driving after your operation

As a general guide, depending on your range of motion and your ability to perform an emergency stop, you should refrain from driving for around six weeks. It is essential you are able to perform an emergency stop without discomfort or hesitation before starting to drive again. It is also recommended that you inform your insurance company that you have had a joint replacement procedure.

Returning to work

Return to office work should be possible after approximately 2-3 weeks. If you have a job that involves heavy physical work you should leave 8-12 weeks before going back to work.