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Knee Replacement
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/kneereplacement.html

Knee Replacement

Also called: Knee arthroplasty
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  • Start Here

Learn More

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  • Related Issues

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  • Videos and Tutorials

Research

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  • Journal Articles

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For You

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Summary

What is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is a surgery to replace parts of your knee joint with new, artificial parts. You may need a knee replacement if you have knee damage that causes severe pain and difficulty doing daily activities, such as walking and climbing stairs. It is usually done when other treatments for knee pain haven't helped enough. The goal of a knee replacement is to relieve pain and help you move better.

People of all ages may have knee replacement surgery. But it is more common in older people. The decision whether to have surgery is based on your overall health and how much your knee bothers you.

What conditions does knee replacement surgery treat?

Knee replacement surgery treats conditions that cause the cartilage of the knee joint to wear away. These include:

  • Knee osteoarthritis. This is the most common reason for knee replacement surgery. It usually develops over time after an injury or with aging.
  • Knee damage from other types of arthritis.
  • Problems from knee joints that aren't formed correctly.

What happens during knee replacement surgery?

During the surgery, a surgeon removes damaged cartilage and some bone from the surfaces of your knee joint. Cartilage is tissue that covers your bones where they meet. Healthy cartilage is smooth and helps the bones glide over each other when you move. When cartilage becomes rough and wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing pain.

After removing the damaged knee cartilage and bone, the surgeon attaches the artificial parts to your bones. The artificial parts are made of metal and plastic. They will give your knee new, smooth surfaces.

Knee replacement surgery may replace all the damaged parts of your knee (total knee replacement) or just part of your knee (partial knee replacement). In a total knee replacement, the surgeon replaces 3 surfaces:

  • The end of the shinbone
  • The end of the thighbone
  • The back of the kneecap

What happens after knee replacement surgery?

Some people go home the same day they have surgery. Other people will stay in the hospital a few days. To help prevent blood clots, you'll most likely take blood thinners and wear special socks or coverings on your legs for a short time after surgery.

The success of your surgery depends a lot on what you do at home to help yourself recover. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to make your knee stronger and help it bend. It is important to do these exercises regularly. You may need to use a cane or walker for several weeks after the surgery. It will probably also be several weeks before you can drive. Your doctor will tell you when you can start driving again.

Most people who follow their recovery instructions can get back to nearly all of their normal daily activities within 3 to 6 weeks after surgery.

What is life like after a knee replacement?

After recovering from surgery, most people can move better with less pain than before surgery. But having an artificial knee is not the same as having a normal, healthy knee.

You need to protect your new knee by:

  • Staying at a healthy weight.
  • Getting regular physical activity.
  • Not doing any high-impact activities, such as jogging, running, and jumping. Instead, you can try low-impact activities that are good for your knee, such as walking, biking, and swimming

What are the risks of knee replacement surgery?

The chance of having problems after knee replacement surgery is low. But there are risks after any surgery. Possible problems after knee replacement surgery include:

  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Nerve damage
  • Scarring that limits how far you can bend your knee

Your age, general health, and how active you are can all affect your risk of having a problem after knee replacement surgery.

How long does a knee replacement last?

A knee replacement doesn't last forever. After 15 to 20 years, the artificial knee parts may become loose or worn. If that happens, you may need another surgery on the same knee.

If you're thinking about having knee replacement surgery, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Together you can decide if a knee replacement is right for you.

Start Here

  • Knee Replacement (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Total Knee Replacement (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Living With

  • Knee Rehabilitation Exercises (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Related Issues

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Images

  • Knee joint replacement - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Partial knee replacement - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Videos and Tutorials

  • Preventing Blood Clots After Orthopaedic Surgery Video (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Arthroplasty From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Knee Replacement From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Effects of motor imagery in recovery of nerve blockade in patients...
  • Article: Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirements in Total...
  • Article: Effects of Supplemental Robot-Assisted Knee Flexion Exercise After Total Knee Arthroplasty:...
  • Knee Replacement -- see more articles

Find an Expert

  • Find a Doctor in American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases From the National Institutes of Health Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Deciding to have knee or hip replacement (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Getting your home ready - knee or hip surgery (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Hip or knee replacement - after - what to ask your doctor (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Knee joint replacement (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Knee joint replacement - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Partial knee replacement (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Knee Replacement

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Deciding to have knee or hip replacement
  • Getting your home ready - knee or hip surgery
  • Hip or knee replacement - after - what to ask your doctor
  • Hip or knee replacement - before - what to ask your doctor
  • Knee joint replacement
  • Knee joint replacement - discharge
  • Knee joint replacement - series
  • Partial knee replacement
  • Partial knee replacement - series

Related Health Topics

  • Knee Injuries and Disorders

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Knee Replacement is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Knee Replacement

Disclaimers

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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Last updated December 26, 2023
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