Knee Replacement
Knee replacement (knee arthroplasty) is surgery to resurface a damaged knee joint with an artificial implant of metal and durable plastic. It is used when arthritis or injury causes persistent pain, stiffness and instability that limit walking and daily life. Total or partial replacement reliably relieves pain and restores movement when non-surgical treatment is no longer enough.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Knee replacement is among the most established and successful operations in orthopedics. The worn surfaces of the joint are resurfaced with a prosthesis that glides smoothly and bears weight, relieving the pain and stiffness of advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid disease or post-injury arthritis. When only one part of the knee is worn, a partial (unicompartmental) replacement may be possible, preserving healthy tissue. As with all joint surgery, the operation is only one part of recovery — structured physiotherapy is essential to regain strength, movement and confidence.
For patients travelling from abroad, a dedicated coordinator arranges appointments, a clear treatment plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, including the expected length of stay in hospital and in the city and the rehabilitation that follows. Our orthopedic surgeons can review your X-rays and reports remotely first, so you understand whether total or partial knee replacement is right for you before deciding to travel.
Who is a candidate?
- Adults with advanced knee arthritis causing persistent pain, stiffness or swelling
- People whose knee pain limits walking, stairs, sleep or daily activities despite non-surgical treatment
- Patients for whom medication, weight management, injections and physiotherapy no longer give enough relief
- Those with knee damage from injury, deformity (bow-leg or knock-knee) or rheumatoid disease
- People with arthritis confined to one compartment, who may suit a partial replacement
- Patients fit enough for surgery and willing to commit to a rehabilitation program
What happens
- 1
Assessment and planning
X-rays, a clinical examination and your history confirm the extent and pattern of joint damage and whether a total or partial replacement is most suitable. Imaging and reports can be reviewed remotely before travel.
- 2
Preparation
Your team optimizes your health for surgery, plans the anesthetic, and may start pre-operative exercises (prehabilitation). You are advised on how to prepare your home and recovery for the days after surgery.
- 3
The operation
Under general or spinal anesthesia, the surgeon removes the worn surfaces and fits the implant components, then balances the soft tissues so the knee tracks and bends correctly. A partial replacement resurfaces only the affected compartment.
- 4
Early mobilization
Physiotherapy usually begins within a day. With support you stand, walk and start bending the knee, and most patients are walking and managing stairs before discharge.
- 5
Rehabilitation
A structured program over several weeks rebuilds strength and range of motion, with regaining full bend a key goal. International patients receive a home exercise plan and follow-up schedule and can be supported remotely after returning home.
Benefits
- Reliable, lasting relief from arthritis-related knee pain for most patients
- Restored movement and the ability to return to everyday activities
- Correction of bow-leg or knock-knee deformity caused by worn cartilage
- Improved sleep and quality of life when pain has been limiting
- Partial replacement, where suitable, preserves healthy tissue and can speed recovery
- Modern implants are designed to last many years
Risks & considerations
- Infection, bleeding and blood clots in the leg or lung, as with any major surgery
- Stiffness or difficulty regaining full bend, which physiotherapy works to prevent
- Ongoing discomfort, numbness near the scar or a sensation of the implant in some patients
- Loosening or wear of the implant over many years, sometimes needing revision surgery
- Rarely, injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels
- A recovery period of several weeks requiring commitment to rehabilitation
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Spine Center & Orthopedics.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Knee Replacement — frequently asked questions
A total replacement resurfaces the whole joint, while a partial (unicompartmental) replacement treats only the worn compartment and preserves the rest. Partial replacement suits arthritis confined to one part of the knee and can mean a smaller operation and quicker recovery; your surgeon advises which is right after reviewing your X-rays.
Most patients stand and take their first steps with support within a day of surgery, with physiotherapy starting early. Walking and bending improve steadily through rehabilitation, and many people walk without aids within a few weeks.
You can expect to be walking within days and to recover steadily over three to six months, with structured physiotherapy and a focus on regaining full bend. Your team gives you a personalized timeline and a home exercise plan to continue after you return home.
Knee replacement usually means about two to four days in hospital plus further rehabilitation, and your coordinator confirms the expected nights in hospital and in the city. We provide a transparent, itemized cost estimate after reviewing your case — covering assessment, surgery, the implant, hospital stay and follow-up — rather than quoting fixed prices online, because each plan is individual.
Yes. Send your knee X-rays and medical reports and our orthopedic surgeons give an independent opinion remotely on whether a total or partial knee replacement is appropriate and what alternatives exist, so you can decide before travelling.
Modern implants are designed to last many years, and a large proportion remain functioning well into the long term. Lifespan depends on factors such as age, weight and activity level, and your surgeon will discuss what to expect and what may shorten implant life.
Related treatments
Considering knee replacement?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.