Knee replacement (arthroplasty)

A knee replacement (arthroplasty) is a common type of surgery where a worn, damaged or diminished knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. The procedure has a high success rate, and is designed to greatly relieve pain, improve your range of movement and give you a significantly improved quality of life.

Who is suitable for a knee replacement?

Most patients that choose knee replacement surgery suffer from osteoarthritis or other knee conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Adults of any age can be suitable for knee replacement surgery, though most patients are between the ages of 55 and 80.

What does a knee replacement involve?

Knee replacement surgery usually takes one to two hours and patients are usually placed under general anaesthetic or have an epidural. During the surgery, your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your knee to remove the damaged joint and replace it with a prosthesis. The operation may be performed with the assistance of a robotic device (your surgeon will discuss this with you if so).

What can you do to prepare for a knee replacement?

A knee replacement is a significant operation. Ahead of it, it helps if you can stay active and do gentle exercise, particularly strengthening your quadricep muscles. This will help you cope with the operation and build strength afterwards.

What is the recovery period?

The length of time it takes to recover after knee replacement surgery depends on various factors, including your age, fitness level prior to your surgery and pre-operative range of knee motion. Most patients only need to spend around three days in hospital. Our dedicated recovery team of specialist orthopaedic nurses and physiotherapists will work with you closely to make sure you build strength and mobility as quickly as possible.

Self-pay package

As well as working with all major insurance companies, we also welcome patients who wish to pay for themselves. We offer a range of self-pay package options, including:

  • Hospital Packages: these are flexible packages that group standard diagnostics and the procedure into one clear price. Consultant and anaesthetist fees are separate, and any other addition to your treatment is billed separately.
  • Fixed Price Packages: these are comprehensive, all-inclusive packages that group everything you may need for treatment into one clear price. All of our Fixed Price Packages include pre-admission tests, procedure, professional fees, post-op outpatient care and any other consultant-recommended services as part of your treatment.

Below is an outline of both our self-pay Hospital Package and our Fixed Price Package.

Below is an outline of our self-pay hospital package which includes tests, hospital stay and procedure. Please note: it does not include consultant fees, which may vary.

Hospital package from £15,150
Indicative consultant fees from £1,125

Inclusions

Our hospital package includes:

  • Standard pre-admission tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray
  • Accommodation in a private en-suite room up to two nights (though longer stays are provided if required, at an increased package price)
  • All meals
  • Nursing
  • Ward medications and dressings
  • Theatre procedure and anesthetics
  • Inpatient physiotherapy, pathology, occupational therapy, surgical stockings and crutches
  • Post-op and discharge medication

Exclusions

  • Consultant consultation fee
  • Consultant procedure fee
  • Non-standard diagnostic and histology tests
  • Any additional costs not specified in the package inclusions

Included in the package price:

  • Consultant Surgeon and Consultant Anaesthetist procedure fees.
  • Two follow-up consultations with consultant within post-op timeframe.
  • Pre-admission outpatient tests, which includes standard pathology and diagnostic tests (ECG & Chest X-ray), if required.
  • Recovery and accommodation which includes a stay in a private en-suite room.
  • Ward medications, dressings, and nursing consumables.
  • Theatre procedure, including anaesthetic drugs and theatre consumables.
  • Theatre prosthesis.
  • Pathology and histology, if required.
  • Standard post–op medication issued and used during the inpatient stay.
  • Inpatient physiotherapy and surgical stockings, if required.
  • Discharge medication pertaining to the condition being treated by this package.
  • All patient meals and non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Post-op X-rays and physiotherapy pertaining to the procedure within six weeks.
  • Return to theatres within six weeks of the procedure date due to complication.

Excluded from the package price:

  • Take out supplies
  • Companion beds and catering for relatives / visitors.
  • Personal expenses –telephone calls, additional catering, ambulances, etc…

If additional night’s stay, diagnostics, or other services are requested from your consultant you will not be charged in addition for these as these are included within the Fixed Price Package.

Consultants offering this package:

When enquiring about this package please quote W4210.

Our orthopaedic surgeons

See all the orthopaedic surgeons available at Cromwell Hospital.

Why choose Cromwell Hospital?

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Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone.