If you are in need of a knee replacement, the knee surgeons and specialists at Nuffield Health will decide what treatment is appropriate for you based on the severity of your symptoms, and whether you may be suitable for full or partial knee replacement. A knee replacment surgery involves the surgeon removing your damaged knee joint and replace it with an artificial one (a prosthesis). Afterwards your knee should be much less painful and the joint should move more smoothly.
Do I need a knee replacement?
Over time, the surfaces on the knee joint can start to wear. This can be caused by osteoarthritis or a previous injury to the knee. Osteoarthritis is painful as joints become stiff and inflamed when the smooth lining between the joints gets damaged or wears away.
Simple, everyday things, like going for a walk or even getting dressed become difficult. There’s no cure for osteoarthritis and it can get worse with time. However, joints can be replaced successfully, improving mobility and reducing pain. You may have a knee replacement if your knee joint is worn beyond repair and medication and walking aids no longer help. Read more about knee replacment surgery at Nuffield Health.
Why choose Nuffield Health?
Nuffield Health has 30 hospitals nationwide and is committed to providing healthcare excellence that is accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. They have a network of not-for-profit independent hospitals and 80% of the British population is within a one hour drive of a Nuffield Health hospital. Knee replacement is one of a wide and comprehensive range of procedures provided by Nuffield Health.
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Nuffield Health puts patient care and clinical excellence at the heart of everything they do. Click here to read more about Nuffield Health's Quality and Safety Programme.
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Nuffield Health is committed to providing healthcare excellence that is accessible and affordable to as many people as possible.
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You will always be treated by a Consultant, who is a specialist, so you can rest assured that you will always receive top quality treatment.
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The hospitals offer private, en-suite rooms, reducing the risk of hospital transferred infections and giving you the privacy to relax and recover in a comfortable environment.
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Their visiting times are flexible, and they will always try and accommodate your visitors, as they realise how important it is to have friends and family around during your road to recovery.
What is involved in knee replacement surgery?
A knee replacement is normally performed under general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic with an injection into your spine to numb the lower part of your body. During a knee replacement operation, the surgeon replaces your whole existing knee joint which has been damaged by arthritis, with a new prosthetic knee joint of metal and plastic. Modern knee replacements involve resurfacing the worn out joint surface whilst preserving ligaments.
The operation can last up to 90 minutes and you will have a cut (incision) of about 15 cm (6-8 inches) at the front of your knee where the replacement will take place. Usually, you will stay in hospital for 2-4 days depending on the progress you are making. During this time, a Physiotherapist will start helping you exercise your knee to regain movement as soon as possible.
The benefits of a knee replacement are reduced joint pain, increased mobility and an improved quality of life, with the ability to return to routine activities of daily life.
Read more about knee replacement surgery at Nuffield Health.
Knee arthroscopy
During an arthroscopy, Nuffield Health's specialists look inside your knee using a small telescope with a light attached to a camera. This technique works with any joint in the body, although it is most commonly used with knees. Knee problems can happen at any age, and an arthroscopy is a safe and effective way to identify them and treat your knee.
Common knee problems include:
Read more about knee arthroscopy at Nuffield Health.
Alternative knee surgery treatments
Pain medication, such as anti-inflammatories, can help you to move around. Exercise can help reduce stiffness in your joint, and you may find it easier to get around with the help of a walking stick. A steroid injection into your knee joint will reduce the pain and stiffness for a few months, although this is not a long-term treatment. Their knee surgery specialists may also be able to perform an arthroscopy to look inside your knee and wash out the joint with a sterile fluid, but this will only give relief for a limited period.
Read more about alternative knee surgery treatments.
Contact details
You are welcome to familiarise yourself with the hospital environment before your admission or treatment date. If you would like to visit the hospital, please call 0845 602 9262 and Nuffield Health will be pleased to arrange a suitable time to show you around.
Nuffield Health Headquarters
40 - 44 Coombe Road
New Malden
Surrey
KT3 4QF
For your nearest Nuffield Health hospital, call 0845 602 9262
Head Office tel. 0208 329 6200
Email: Make an online enquiry
Website: Nuffield Health
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