Knee replacement surgery in Plymouth

Why choose Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital for your knee replacement surgery?

At Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital our experienced team of lower limb orthopaedic surgeons are experts in undertaking knee replacement surgery. They are renowned across the region for their excellent patient outcomes, providing you with rapid access to a consultation and treatment.

Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital is conveniently located on the northern outskirts of Plymouth, adjacent to the local NHS teaching hospital. We offer plenty of free parking, with easy road access from all directions. Whilst staying in our hospital, you will be seen by your chosen consultant and supported by our attentive matron led nursing staff, who are on site 24 hours a day. Our matron led care ensures that the clinical standards and patient experience we deliver are second to none.

As a knee replacement patient at Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital, you will be eligible for our exclusive Recovery Plus programme at Plymouth Fitness & Wellbeing Gym. This programme has been designed to aid your recovery back to full health post surgery. You will also be able to utilise the facilities on offer, like the 20m swimming pool and gym equipment.

If you are still unsure about knee replacement surgery and its benefits, you are welcome to find out more information at one of our free orthopaedic open events. Here you will get the opportunity to meet on of our knee surgeons in person and ask any questions you may have.

Why do some people require a knee replacement?

• Over time, the surfaces on the knee joint can wear away
• This could be caused by arthritis or a previous knee injury
• Arthritis is painful as joints become stiff and inflamed when the smooth lining between the joints gets damaged or wears away
• Without the protection of this lining, the rough surfaces of your bones rub together as you move, causing pain
• Simple everyday things like going for a walk or even getting dressed can become difficult greatly affecting your quality of life
• There’s no cure for arthritis and it can get worse with time. However joints can be replaced successfully, improving mobility and reducing pain
• A knee replacement is a procedure to remove your damaged knee joint and replace it with an artificial one (known as a prosthesis)
• Your knee replacement can be made out of metal or plastic
• Following surgery your knee should be much less painful and the joint should move more smoothly
• New advances in technology offer a greater range of implant types and sizes
• Your surgeon in Plymouth will choose the implant that best suits your body size and lifestyle
• In some cases a CT scan or MRI scan of your knee may be used to create special guides that will help your surgeon accurately fit your new knee joint.

Paying for your knee replacement surgery at Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital

Did you know, at Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital you can pay for your private knee treatment yourself, rather than waiting for treatment on the NHS? Find out more about paying for yourself.

Alternatively, you can also use your own private medical insurance.

What happens during knee replacement surgery?

• Knee replacement surgery is normally performed under general anaesthetic
• During the operation your whole existing knee joint is replaced with a new prosthetic
• The procedure normally takes between 1 - 2 hours
• Your orthopaedic surgeon will make an incision at the front of your knee where the replacement will be inserted
• Usually, you will stay in hospital for 2-4 days, but you may have to stay longer if necessary.

After knee surgery

• Once your operation is over, you’ll be taken to the recovery room where you will wake from the anaesthetic
• Your wound, blood pressure and pulse will be checked carefully
• You will have a large dressing covering your wound
• You may have a small tube coming out of your wound - this is to drain away any excess fluid from the inside of the wound
• You may also have a drip (infusion) going into your arm. This will keep you hydrated until you are able to drink, and can also be used to give you pain relief
• When you are stable and comfortable, a nurse will take you back to your private hospital room.

Getting up for the first time

• We understand that you may be anxious or worried about getting up, but we will do all we can to help and reassure you
• A member of our Healthcare Team will be there to help you, whenever you are ready
• The reason for getting you moving is to improve your circulation and avoid stiffness
• You may be feeling tender and sore, but you can get pain relief medication to deal with any discomfort – just ask one of the nurses if you have any pain
• Once out of bed, you will continue to wear support stockings to help your circulation
• The physiotherapists will work with you during your stay to help give you the best start with your new joint. Our physiotherapists specialise in orthopaedic aftercare and work closely with our orthopaedic surgeons to get you back to your feet.

Going home after your surgery at Plymouth Hospital

• Before being discharged you will have an X-ray of your new knee to check its position
• A physiotherapist will give you some exercises to help get your new knee moving
• These are important to help you make a good recovery
• The physiotherapist will also show you how to walk up and down stairs and make sure you are confident at doing this before you go home
• You won’t be able to drive, so you will need someone to come and take you home from the hospital
• When you go home, you may need some help with shopping and household chores
• It’s a good idea to arrange for someone to stay with you - or at least look in on you daily for at least a week
• It’s usual to return to see your consultant as an outpatient after your operation
• You may need to have stitches removed. You’ll be given information about these appointments before you go home
• We’ll give you some pain relief medication to take with you
• When you get home you will be tired for several weeks and should rest
• However, it’s also important to aim to gradually increase your physical activity each day, so you should continue with the exercises the physiotherapist showed you
• You will need to keep using crutches or a walking stick for a while
• To help you manage and increase mobility it’s recommended that you take any pain relief medication we have prescribed
• Continue taking this until you are pain free.

So you don’t damage your new knee and to help your wound heal well, please:

• Take showers instead of a bath
• Keep wearing your support stockings - you may have to do so for 4 - 6 weeks.

Getting back to normal after your procedure in Plymouth

• It is important to understand that everyone heals differently
• You will continue to improve over the next 6 to 12 months
• Your scar should fade to a thin white line
• Depending on what type of job you do, you should be able to return to work within 12 weeks
• You may want to think about a phased return to work
• After your follow-up visit with your surgeon you should be released to drive, but only if you can comfortably operate the pedals and control your car in all situations. This includes an emergency stop
• If you are in any doubt about your insurance cover, it’s best to contact your insurance company.

Most people make a good recovery and return to normal activities following knee replacement. As with any surgery there can be complications:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (incision)
• Scarring
• Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)
• Difficulty passing urine
• Chest infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

Risks specific to knee replacement surgery are:

• Numbness on the outside of the knee caused by a nerve being cut during surgery
• Stiffness - there may need to be further, minor surgery to improve this
• Pain when kneeling
• Bleeding around the joint - this usually settles but may need to be drained by a surgeon
• Fluid build-up around the joint
• Rejection of the prosthesis
• Infection in the joint.