When knee pain limits walking, interferes with daily life, and conservative treatment no longer provides sufficient relief, joint replacement may be the next step in treatment.
When knee replacement becomes necessary
In advanced osteoarthritis, the joint surfaces of the knee gradually break down. Pain intensifies, movement becomes limited, and the shape of the joint and the alignment of the lower limb can change.
At a certain stage, medication, physical therapy, injections, and other conservative treatments no longer provide adequate symptom control.
Knee replacement involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with components of an artificial joint. The goal of the operation is, first and foremost, to reduce pain, restore knee stability and function, and help the patient return to a more active life.
The decision to operate is made on an individual basis — not from X-rays alone, but taking into account pain, mobility, deformity, gait, and how much the condition limits everyday life.
When it's time to see a specialist
- knee pain has become constant or is gradually worsening
- walking familiar distances is getting harder
- pain occurs not only during activity, but also at rest
- it's difficult to go up or down stairs
- the knee bends poorly or won't fully straighten
- a leg deformity has appeared or is progressing
- pain forces you to give up activities you used to enjoy
- conservative treatment no longer provides adequate relief
What can change after surgery
For the patient, the main goal of knee replacement is not the fact of having an artificial joint, but an improvement in everyday quality of life.
After surgery and an appropriate recovery period, knee replacement can help:
- significantly reduce knee pain
- increase comfortable walking distance
- improve joint mobility
- improve the limb's ability to bear weight
- correct significant deformity
- make ordinary everyday activities easier
- gradually return to a more active lifestyle
The goal of treatment is to help the patient use their knee again in everyday life, with the least possible pain and functional limitation.
Individualized surgical planning
Modern knee replacement begins long before the operation itself.
Before the procedure, we assess the degree of joint damage, knee anatomy, lower limb alignment, the nature of the deformity, bone quality, ligament stability, and range of motion.
Based on this data, we plan the position of the implant components and determine the surgical approach.
There is no single universal solution for every patient. The type of implant and the specifics of the operation are chosen according to the individual clinical situation.
What matters most in knee replacement
The outcome of the operation does not depend on the implant model or manufacturer alone.
What matters most:
- precise preoperative planning
- correct positioning of the components
- assessing and correcting limb deformity
- knee joint stability
- ligament and soft-tissue balance
- restoring a functional range of motion
- well-organized postoperative recovery
The goal is not simply to place an implant, but to create a stable, functional knee joint that lets the patient return to their usual activities.
01 — Consultation and diagnosis
We start with a conversation about exactly what is troubling the patient and how much the problem limits their life. We assess knee mobility, stability, and deformity, and review X-rays and other studies as indicated.
02 — Preoperative planning
We identify the specifics of the anatomy and deformity, and plan the surgical approach, component positioning, and implant type.
03 — Knee replacement
The damaged joint surfaces are replaced with implant components, restoring stability and functional biomechanics of the knee.
04 — Early recovery
After surgery, mobilization begins, along with restoring walking and knee movement. The level of exertion and pace of rehabilitation are determined individually.
Not "one implant for everyone", but a solution for each patient
Age, anatomy, the nature of the deformity, and the condition of the ligaments, bone, and activity level differ from patient to patient. That's why the surgical approach is determined individually.
Planning before surgery
We assess the anatomy of the knee joint and lower limb in advance, along with the nature of the deformity and the specifics of the planned knee replacement.
Attention to biomechanics
What matters isn't just placing the implant components — it's also restoring stability, the functional axis of the limb, and soft-tissue balance.
From surgery to a return to activity
Knee replacement is only one stage of treatment. Early mobilization and consistent recovery of mobility and strength are an important part of the final functional outcome.
Radiographic examples
X-ray imaging is an important part of planning knee replacement. It allows us to assess the degree of degenerative change, the nature of the deformity, the condition of the joint surfaces, and the alignment of the lower limb.
When planning surgery, it's important not only to replace the damaged joint surfaces, but also to take into account the individual patient's anatomy, the nature of the deformity, the position of the future components, and the limb's functional biomechanics.
Knee osteoarthritis and assessment of lower limb alignment
Standing X-ray of both knees | Full-length X-ray of the lower limbs
These X-rays show pronounced degenerative changes in both knee joints, with predominant narrowing of the medial joint space and associated deformity.
A full-length X-ray of the lower limbs allows further assessment of limb alignment and the relative position of the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
This information is used during preoperative planning for total knee replacement.
Total knee replacement
Postoperative X-ray — anteroposterior view | Postoperative X-ray — lateral view
X-rays of a different patient after total knee replacement show the femoral and tibial implant components in anteroposterior and lateral views.
Postoperative X-rays are used to assess the position of the implant components and the condition of the bone structures.
Please note: the images shown are separate clinical examples and do not represent a "before/after" series from the same patient.
How do I know it's already time for surgery?
There is no single indicator after which knee replacement automatically becomes necessary. It's important to assess not only the X-ray, but also pain, mobility, walking ability, deformity, and how the condition affects your life.
If your knee is making you constantly change your plans, walk less, give up activities you used to enjoy, and treatment no longer provides sufficient relief, it's worth discussing the possibility of joint replacement.
Is it still possible to avoid surgery?
In many cases, yes. At certain stages of the disease, medication, physical therapy, activity modification, and other methods can be used.
The purpose of a consultation is not to convince the patient that surgery is necessary, but to determine whether the options for conservative or joint-preserving treatment have genuinely been exhausted.
Will my leg straighten after knee replacement?
Knee osteoarthritis often causes a varus or valgus deformity of the limb. Assessing and correcting it is an important part of planning knee replacement.
The extent of possible correction is determined individually, depending on the nature and duration of the deformity, and the condition of the bones, ligaments, and soft tissues.
Does it hurt a lot after surgery?
Postoperative pain is expected, especially in the first few days. It is managed with a comprehensive pain control protocol that allows early mobilization and gradual restoration of movement to begin.
The intensity of pain and how quickly it subsides vary from patient to patient.
When will I be able to stand and walk?
In most cases, mobilization begins in the early postoperative period. Walking aids may be used at first.
The exact weight-bearing regimen is determined by the surgeon depending on the specifics of the operation and the patient's condition.
How long does recovery take?
The most intensive stage of recovery falls in the first few weeks after surgery, as walking and knee mobility are gradually restored.
Further improvement in strength, endurance, and function can continue over the following months. The pace of recovery is individual.
Will I be able to manage stairs normally?
Returning to using stairs is one of the functional goals of recovery. At first this is done using a specific technique and with support, and as strength and mobility improve, capability gradually expands.
When can I drive a car?
The timeline depends on which knee was operated on, recovery of limb control, discontinuation of medications that affect reaction time, and the overall course of rehabilitation. Clearance to drive is determined on an individual basis.
Which implant is the best?
There is no universally "best" implant. Modern systems have different design features and degrees of constraint.
What matters isn't just the implant brand, but choosing the right design for the individual patient, thorough preoperative planning, and precise surgical execution.
How long does a knee implant last?
Modern implants are designed for long-term function. Their lifespan depends on many factors: the design and placement of the implant, the patient's age, body weight, physical activity, and other individual characteristics.
Need a consultation?
If knee pain is already limiting your walking and everyday activity, during a consultation we can assess the condition of your joint, review your test results, and discuss possible treatment options.
Not every patient with osteoarthritis needs a joint replacement. Our task is to determine which treatment approach will be optimal for your specific situation.