Ten Questions to Ask Your Knee Surgeon Before Knee Replacement Surgery

Choosing to undergo knee replacement surgery is life-changing and the right preparation starts with the right conversation. By asking targeted questions, you'll be better positioned to:

• Understand the risks and benefits
• Set realistic recovery expectations
• Choose a qualified and experienced orthopaedic surgeon
• Improve your outcomes and long-term mobility

Now let’s dive into the ten most important questions you should ask your knee replacement specialist.

Your surgeon should thoroughly assess your symptoms, scans, and lifestyle before recommending surgery. Conservative measures such as physiotherapy, joint injections, and weight management may help earlier-stage arthritis. When those options no longer provide relief, surgery may be appropriate.

At Orthopaedic Innovation, we provide a range of non-surgical options and will always pursue and recommend these where possible. Learn more about Injections and Various Alternatives here

Not all patients need a full joint replacement. If the arthritis is confined to one compartment of the knee, a partial knee replacement may be appropriate. This preserves more of your natural knee and often allows faster recovery.

Our team specialises in both partial and total knee replacements, using a personalised approach based on your anatomy and goals.

Ask whether your surgeon uses minimally invasive techniques or any planning technology in performing the arthroplasty (the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint). Different approaches can affect pain, scarring, and rehab speed. The two most common techniques are:

• Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty:
  A standard 20–25 cm incision with eversion of the kneecap. Provides reliable long-term results but involves more soft-tissue disruption and typically a longer hospital stay.
• Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty:
  A shorter (5–8 cm) midline or quadriceps-sparing incision. By avoiding major muscle cuts, it often means less pain, smaller scars, and faster initial mobilisation.

At Orthopaedic Innovation, we use minimally invasive techniques; our precise surgical approach ensures optimal joint stability and natural movement.

What Else Can You Expect from Procedure With Us?

• Safe & effective surgery – Most operations take approximately 30 minutes, performed under either general anaesthetic or spinal anaesthesia.
• Personalised recovery plan – A physiotherapy-led rehabilitation programme gets you moving quickly and safely.
• Short hospital stay – Most patients stay less than 24 hours before returning home.
• Fast-healing approach – Wound healing typically takes 12-14 days, with ongoing support from our team.

Knee Replacement Treatment with Orthopaedic Innovation

Surgeon experience directly impacts surgical outcomes. Ask how many procedures your consultant performs annually, and whether they specialise in knee arthroplasty.

At Orthopaedic Innovation, you’re in expert hands:

• Professor Adrian Wilson is an internationally recognised orthopaedic surgeon with decades of experience in joint preservation, ligament reconstruction, and knee replacement. He has pioneered multiple surgical techniques, holds several patents, and regularly trains surgeons worldwide through live demonstrations and global education programmes.
  
  
• Dr Kristian Kley is a leading consultant orthopaedic surgeon known for his expertise in rapid-recovery hip and knee replacement. He has performed thousands of procedures and is the developer of the Kley Rapid Hip approach. His work combines minimally invasive surgery with software-guided planning to deliver faster recovery and long-term mobility.

Together, they’ve built a reputation for innovation, precision, and patient-centred care, making Orthopaedic Innovation one of the UK’s most advanced centres for knee surgery.

Read more about our surgical team here

Understanding the knee replacement recovery timeline helps set realistic expectations. Recovery depends on the procedure type, your health, and your rehab plan. Generally, patients resume basic mobility within days and build strength over weeks.

With our minimally invasive Knee Replacement protocol, most patients are up and walking the same day, thanks to precise surgery and optimised post-op care.

For a patient-friendly breakdown, see My Knee Replacement Recovery’s 17 tips¹.

There are various options to choose from for your physiology:

• General Anaesthesia (GA) - You’re fully unconscious via IV and/or inhaled agents, with your airway secured. Recovery may involve mild grogginess or nausea. 
• Spinal Anaesthesia - A single lumbar injection blocks sensation from the waist down for 2–4 hours. You stay awake or lightly sedated, with excellent early pain relief.
• Adductor Canal Nerve Block - An ultrasound-guided thigh block that targets knee pain while preserving quadriceps strength - key for walking on Day 1.
• Multimodal Analgesia - A combination of paracetamol, NSAIDs, and local anaesthetic infiltration around the joint to reduce opioids, inflammation, and discomfort.

All surgeries carry some risk. Ask about potential complications, including infection, blood clots, stiffness, and implant wear. Your surgeon should also explain what’s done to minimise these.

At Orthopaedic Innovation, infection prevention is built into every step of care; from pre-op planning and sterile theatre protocols to carefully controlled implant handling. Keeping operations to ~30 minutes is just one way we lower risk. 

For a balanced overview, read Healthline’s guide to knee replacement risks and complications².

Ask about your aftercare plan and who will oversee your recovery. Early movement is key.

We begin physiotherapy on the same day as surgery. Our team tailors your rehab based on your progress, with a focus on regaining independence quickly and safely.

Implants typically last 15–25 years. Longevity depends on implant type, surgical accuracy, and post-op care.

Our software-assisted approach is designed to improve long-term implant survival by ensuring perfect alignment and balancing during surgery. Our modern implants have a smooth, pain free motion with a Polyethylene liner between the metal surfaces.