- Knee replacement surgery involves replacing damaged parts of your knee joint with metal or plastic parts.
- It's most commonly used to treat pain and stiffness in the knee joint caused by osteoarthritis.
- It may be recommended if other treatments or lifestyle changes have not worked and knee pain is affecting your daily life.
- Depending on the damage to your knee, it can be used to replace all of your knee joint (total knee replacement) or some of it (partial knee replacement).
- You'll have the operation in hospital. It can take several months or more to fully recover afterwards.
- Knee replacements can last for 20 years or more and can significantly improve daily life for people with knee pain.
Video: Knee replacement
This animation shows how knee replacement surgery is done and explains why it may be needed.
Media last reviewed: 1 April 2024
Media review due: 1 April 2027
Media review due: 1 April 2027