Knee replacement surgery

Your surgeon may perform a partial “mini-knee” replacement, if only part of your knee is damaged.Your surgeon does this by making a cut (incision) on the skin over your knee, using less invasive miniature surgical tools.Any damaged bone and cartilage is carefully cut away. Then your surgeon will replace your affected bone with a made-to-measure cobalt and chrome metal joint. Your surgeon will use a handheld robotic device called the CORI surgical system which helps them replace and resurface your joint with greater accuracy.An acrylic cement is used to bond the new surfaces onto your bone. High density polythene is then added to the replaced surfaces to protect the new joint and help it glide smoothly. Once complete, your surgeon closes the cut with stitches or clips. They then bandage your knee and insert small drainage tubes into the joint, to drain away any excess fluid.Then we’ll take you to the recovery suite, while you wake up from the anaesthetic.Once your care nurse is happy with your progress, you’ll go back to your private en-suite to relax.

Total knee replacement surgery normally takes between sixty to ninety minutes under a general anaesthetic. You can have an additional spinal anaesthetic for pain management.Your surgeon starts by making a cut (incision) on the skin over your knee. They then move the knee cap to one side to reach the joint. Using the CORI surgical system for greater accuracy, your surgeon removes any damaged bone and cartilage from your thigh bone, shinbone and knee cap. Next, your surgeon will replace your bone surfaces with a made-to-measure cobalt and chrome metal joint. The CORI robotic system allows your surgeon to do this more precisely.An acrylic cement is used to bond the new surfaces onto your shinbone, thigh bone and knee cap.High density polythene is then added to the surfaces to protect the new joint and help it glide.Your surgeon may also resurface the back of your knee cap if necessary.Once complete, your surgeon closes the cut with stitches or clips. They then bandage your knee and insert small drainage tubes into the joint, to drain away any excess fluid.After surgery, we’ll take you to the recovery suite and look after you as you wake up from the anaesthetic.Once your care nurse is happy with your progress, you’ll go back to your private en-suite to relax.

How long it takes to recover from knee replacement surgery depends on how fit and healthy you are before your surgery, and whether you’ve had a total or partial knee replacement. You will need to stay at The London Clinic for 1 to 2 nights after your surgery, and your physiotherapist will give you exercises to do shortly after the operation.Your bandages will stay in place for up to 10 days and in the first few days after surgery it’s best to take plenty of rest. Once at home, you’ll need to follow the exercise program your physiotherapist has given you. This will help you get back on your feet more quickly.Recovery time varies from person to person and you may need to use a walking frame or crutches for a few weeks.Most people are fit to drive after eight weeks and can go back to work after six to twelve weeks. Try to avoid any strenuous physical activity, like skiing or mountain biking for about three months until the swelling has gone down.We’ll organise regular follow-ups with you to make sure you’re recovering as expected, and if there’s anything you’re worried about, you can contact us at any time.

Knee replacement surgery has been used to help people with knee joint problems for more than three decades. The main benefits of knee surgery include reducing pain and discomfort in the knee, which can also provide relief from arthritis or an old injury. At The London Clinic our surgeons use the very latest knee replacement technology including the CORI robotic system, which ensures better results and higher patient satisfaction. 

Although we make knee replacement surgery as safe as possible, there are a few side effects you might get.  

Apart from short-lived swelling, bruising and numbness for a few days after the surgery, there can be rarer side-effects from knee replacement surgery:

• Bleeding inside the joint
• Blood clot that develops in a limb
• Infection in the joint
• Permanent nerve damage with numbness
• Weakness or pain in the leg or foot

At The London Clinic we offer enhanced pre-assessment before your surgery, and rehabilitation afterwards, so we can help prevent side effects from happening.