Date : Oct 29 , 2025 |
Knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with a high-quality artificial implant. This operation is typically recommended for patients suffering from severe knee pain due to arthritis or cartilage degeneration, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, which restricts their ability to move and perform daily activities.
This surgery aims to significantly relieve pain, improve joint function, and restore the ability to walk and move normally. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged surfaces of the knee joint and replaces them with metal and plastic components. After the operation, the patient requires an intensive physical therapy program for complete recovery and restoration of muscle strength and flexibility in the knee.
When is knee replacement surgery performed?
Open Knee Replacement Surgery: A surgical procedure in which the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced through a large incision in the knee to place the implant, resulting in a long recovery period for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery.
This surgery has a high success rate of up to 95%, helping most patients return to their daily activities with less pain and better mobility. However, like any major surgery, it carries some risks such as infection and blood clots, so the benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before making a decision.
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement: A modern technique that aims to achieve the same results as traditional surgery but through a smaller surgical incision. This technique preserves the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee as much as possible by working between them rather than cutting through them, which reduces tissue damage and accelerates the recovery process.
This surgery requires high skill and experience from the surgeon, as they work through a limited field of vision using specialized and precise surgical instruments. Among the most important advantages of this procedure are reduced postoperative pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and the ability to return to daily activities faster compared to open surgery. Most patients can walk on the same day of surgery or the next day and require a shorter rehabilitation period to achieve full knee mobility.
Robot-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery: An advanced technique that uses a robotic-assisted system to achieve superior precision in positioning the artificial joint. The robotic system creates a three-dimensional model of the patient’s knee before surgery using CT scans, allowing the surgeon to precisely plan the position and angle of each component to suit the patient’s unique anatomy.
During the operation, the robot acts as an assistive tool for the surgeon, helping them execute the surgical plan with millimeter precision. The surgeon controls the robotic arm, which limits its movement within the pre-planned area, preventing any errors in bone cutting or implant placement and ensuring perfect alignment of the new joint.
The benefits of this technique include improved ligament balance around the knee, reduced damage to healthy tissue, and increased projected lifespan of the artificial joint due to installation precision. Studies indicate that patients who undergo robotic surgery often feel that their new knee is more natural and achieve better range of motion compared to traditional methods.
Knee replacement surgery is recommended when there are severe arthritis and chronic pain that does not respond to treatment, reduced mobility that affects daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe knee injuries that cause permanent damage. In such cases listed above, it is advisable to use anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, use crutches or braces, cortisone injections, or weight loss. Age may be over 50 years, and your sleep and health are affected by pain.
Although knee replacement surgery is safe and effective for many patients, some conditions may make the surgery unsuitable, such as:
Knee replacement surgery is performed to relieve severe pain, improve mobility, and restore the ability to perform daily tasks in patients suffering from advanced joint damage, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, often due to arthritis or chronic injuries. Doctors usually recommend knee replacement surgery after the failure of other treatments and physical therapy. During the procedure, the damaged parts of the bones and cartilage are removed and replaced with high-quality artificial components. This surgery helps restore joint function and enables the patient to perform daily activities normally without pain. The ultimate goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life and return them to an active and independent lifestyle.
Using a local cooling device to reduce swelling and inflammation in the knee.
Beginning physical therapy on the same day of surgery or the following day, where the therapist helps the patient sit, stand, and take simple steps using a walker or crutches.
The wound must be kept clean and dry, and monitored for any signs of infection such as severe redness, discharge, or fever, with stitches needing to be removed after approximately two weeks.
Using prescribed medications and ice to reduce swelling, and to prevent dangerous blood clots, the patient is given anticoagulant medications and advised to wear compression stockings and move the feet regularly.
Regular follow-up with the surgeon is necessary to ensure the artificial joint is functioning properly.
After knee replacement surgery, the patient is advised to take rest periods to reduce swelling and improve blood circulation. This helps relieve pressure and allows tissues to heal, achieving the best recovery results and reducing pain and inflammation naturally and effectively.
Good preparation for knee replacement surgery contributes significantly to the success of the operation, speed of recovery, and reduction of potential complications.
To reduce risks after surgery and achieve the best recovery outcomes, the following steps can be followed:
The recovery period after knee replacement may vary from one patient to another, such as:
Week 1–2: Initial Stage
Week 3–4: Early Improvement Stage
Week 5–6: Partial Independence Stage
Week 7–12: Advanced Recovery Stage
After knee replacement surgery, a significant change occurs in the patient’s life in terms of restoring natural movement, the ability to walk normally, and performing daily activities with ease, which gives the patient peace of mind, especially for patients who suffer from severe knee pain.
Pain Relief: One of the most prominent direct benefits is the significant relief of chronic knee pain through medication and modern medical interventions, where the patient feels a clear improvement. This pain relief allows the patient to regain a more comfortable and active lifestyle and enhances the ability to perform daily activities better.
Improved Mobility: After the recovery phase, the patient is able to walk and move with greater comfort, can walk long distances without pain, and climb stairs more easily. Daily activities—such as standing for long periods, getting up from a chair, getting dressed, or even taking a leisurely walk—become easier and less exhausting, giving them a clear sense of improvement in their quality of life and independence in movement.
Restoration of Quality of Life: After knee replacement surgery, the patient feels a significantly improvement in their quality of life. Their ability to move and walk with confidence and stability improves, and they become able to perform daily tasks without fatigue or dependence on others. With the restoration of freedom of movement, the patient returns to practicing their favorite activities and social integration naturally, which positively reflects on their mental state, giving them a sense of comfort, satisfaction, and the ability to enjoy life again.
Correction of Knee Joint Deformities: Knee replacement surgery helps correct knee joint deformities after careful assessment to determine the type and severity of the deformity and to evaluate bone alignment and cartilage condition. Surgical procedures include advanced techniques such as osteotomy, which realigns bones by cutting and refixing them in the correct position, or total knee replacement in advanced cases of cartilage deterioration, using modern surgical tools that speed recovery and reduce complications, allowing the patient to restore knee function and significantly improve their quality of life.
Improved Sleep: This knee replacement surgery helps improve sleep quality in the long term, as patients often suffer from sleep disturbances due to pain and swelling. After the operation, sleep quality improves significantly compared to the pre-surgical period, thanks to pain relief and improved knee function, which reduces nighttime awakenings and increases deep sleep duration. This improvement contributes to accelerating the recovery process and enhancing the patient’s psychological and physical health. Patients are advised to follow proper sleep instructions such as sleeping on their back with a pillow under the leg to maintain knee straightness and relieve pressure on it, which supports comfort and reduces pain during sleep.
Long-term Results: Knee replacement surgery achieves a noticeable improvement in patients’ quality of life in the long term, with the survival rate of the artificial joint functioning efficiently for years after the operation, reflecting the advancement of surgical techniques and materials used. However, long-term results depend heavily on several key factors including surgeon skill, precision of alignment and balance in joint installation, and strict adherence to rehabilitation and physical therapy instructions after the operation. Among the risks that may negatively affect long-term results are: loosening of the artificial joint due to surface wear or weight gain, occurrence of chronic infections that may require corrective surgical interventions, and joint stiffness resulting from fibrosis of surrounding tissues. Therefore, regular medical follow-up, commitment to physical therapy, and management of health factors such as weight and the patient’s general condition play a pivotal role in ensuring the continuity of the artificial joint’s performance and achieving smooth, pain-free movement for many years after surgery.
Is knee replacement surgery painful?
Knee replacement surgery is not permanently painful and is treatable, thanks to advances in anesthesia techniques and modern pain relievers. During the surgery, the patient does not feel any pain because the operation is performed under anesthesia. Minor pain may appear in the first few days as a result of tissue healing and movement of the new joint. However, with the use of strong painkillers, the pain is relieved. Most patients notice a clear decrease in pain with the start of physical therapy, and after two to three months, the surgical pain disappears completely.
What is the success rate of knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is considered one of the most successful surgical operations, with a success rate reaching 99 percent, with a noticeable improvement in quality of life and pain reduction. Success factors depend on the patient’s general health, the surgeon’s skill, and the patient’s commitment to physical therapy after the operation. Modern techniques such as robotic surgery reduce pain and facilitate recovery, increasing the chances of success. Despite the rarity of operation failure, attention must be paid to potential complications such as infection or loosening of the artificial joint.
How long does it take to walk after knee replacement surgery?
The patient can begin walking with the assistance of a walker or crutches within 24 hours of the surgery, according to modern surgical techniques that reduce pain and facilitate early recovery. Typically, the patient needs to use assistive walking devices (such as crutches or a walker) for up to 4-6 weeks, with physical therapy sessions beginning from the first day after the operation. Most patients regain the ability to walk normally within 6 weeks, but full improvement in movement and strength may continue for 3-6 months depending on commitment to treatment and medical follow-up. Complete healing may take up to a year, but daily life gradually returns to normal after the first two months with reduced pain and increased knee flexibility. Excessive pressure on the new knee should be avoided during the first months, and adherence to the doctor’s instructions and physical therapy is essential to ensure the best results.
Is knee replacement surgery safe for the elderly?
Knee replacement surgery for the elderly is a common and effective surgical procedure to relieve pain and improve mobility, even for those over eighty. Safety depends on the patient’s general health condition, and modern techniques such as robotic surgery and advanced anesthesia reduce complications and facilitate recovery. The health condition must be accurately assessed before surgery to ensure the best results and avoid risks.
Summary: Knee replacement is safe for the elderly with careful medical follow-up and advanced surgical techniques.
