The goal of knee replacement surgery is to resurface the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged and to relieve knee pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments. During the procedure, the bottom part of the femur or thigh bone, and the top part of the tibia or shin bone, are cut and resurfaced with a knee prothesis.

Knee replacement surgery, like any surgery, carries risks. They include:

• Infection

• Blood clots in the leg vein or lungs

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Nerve damage

• Loosening of the components

Post-operative care:

After surgery, patients may require four to five days of hospitalisation. Immediately after surgery, a light compressive bandage is applied and pain medications are given to reduce pain or swelling. During this time patients are instructed to follow post-operative protocols for a successful outcome.

Post-operative instructions include the use of TED stockings to reduce the risk of clot formation, crutch or frame walking for at least 2-4 weeks and physiotherapy. Three to six weeks after surgery, you can generally resume most daily activities, such as shopping and light housekeeping. Driving is also possible after 4-6 weeks if you can bend your knee far enough to sit in a car, if you have enough muscle control to operate the brakes and accelerator, and if you’re not still taking narcotic pain medications.

After recovery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking. But you should avoid higher impact activities — such as jogging, skiing, tennis and sports that involve contact or jumping. For most people, knee replacement provides pain relief, improved mobility and a better quality of life. Most knee replacements can be expected to last more than 15 years.