Do I need knee surgery? Quiz: Check your suitability
If you’re experiencing knee pain but aren’t sure what it means, our quick suitability quiz is a great place to start.
Do I need to see a consultant about my knee pain?
Our quick quiz will ask you four questions designed to assess the pain levels in your knee. It will also determine whether you’d benefit from a consultation with one of our knee specialists.
Please note: this tool is only designed to give you a general indication of your condition. It will not provide a diagnosis.
- Takes just minutes to complete
- Personalised score
- Instant test results via email
How do you know if you need knee surgery?
Even if you’ve been suffering from knee pain for a while, it can be difficult to know if you need a knee replacement. However, the following are signs could indicate that you need a total knee replacement:
- severe pain (that stops you from carrying out everyday chores)
- swelling around the knee
- stiffness around the knee
- reduced mobility.
The links below are packed full of information around knee pain and the knee replacement procedure.
- Common myths about knee pain
- Questions to ask before knee replacement surgery
- Signs you need knee surgery
- How do I know if I need a knee replacement?
Did you know?
According to a 2022 NHS report, 53.3% of knee replacements were carried out on female patients1.
Where is the pain if you need a knee replacement?
It’s not necessarily a case of where you experience knee pain but more the frequency. If your knee pain is constant and is affecting your daily life, it could be a sign you need a knee replacement. It’s also possible to experience referred pain in the hip or ankle.
Can an X-ray show if you need a knee replacement?
No. X-rays can accurately diagnose knee osteoarthritis. However, they aren’t used as definitive proof a patient requires total knee replacement surgery.
How bad does your knee have to be before replacement?
If you need knee replacement surgery, your knee pain is likely to be persistent. It will likely disrupt your sleep, your daily activities, and won’t respond to over-the-counter pain medications. In order to relieve pain, knee replacement surgery may be recommended by your doctor.
What is the Oxford knee pain score?
The Oxford knee score is designed to help assess how well (or badly) your knee is functioning. It takes into account pain levels and the frequency you experience knee issues.
What is the most common indication for knee surgery?
There isn’t necessarily just one. The main indicators include:
- constant pain
- swelling and inflammation
- knee stiffness
- ineffectiveness of painkillers
- changes to your knee’s appearance.
How do you know if your knee is deteriorating?
A knee replacement may not necessarily be the right course of action for you. However, it’s important to seek specialist advice if:
- your knee is swollen and inflamed
- you struggle to climb stairs and do everyday chores
- you struggle to sleep
- pain medication is no longer effective
- you’re experiencing persistent pain.
What does a worn out knee feel like?
The symptoms of a worn-out knee are likely to include:
- constant pain in the knee
- referred pain in the leg, likely in the ankle or hip
- difficulty sleeping and carrying out everyday tasks.
How is knee pain assessed?
Our knee pain assessment and the Oxford knee score are good places to start. If your results indicate you may need knee surgery, you should seek medical advice.
What happens next?
This will depend on your quiz results. If we think you’d benefit from a consultation about your knee pain, a member of our friendly team will give you a call within a few days to discuss how you’d like to proceed.
If your results suggest you don’t need immediate help for your knee pain, you can still take things further with an initial consultation. Simply fill in and submit an online request form or call us on 0330 822 6530.
Sources and references
Acknowledgements
This article was completed with the help of Gyorgy Lovasz, Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon at Practice Plus Group. Among his qualifications are Specialist of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Budapest, and he spent three years in the UAE as a consultant orthopaedic-trauma surgeon.
Mr Lovasz has performed more than 4000 orthopaedic procedures in the UK. His main field of interest is lower limb arthroplasty.
Over the last few years Practice Plus Group has grown its Marketing Team to include art workers, campaign and social media managers, content editors, and digital analysts. Together, they provide a responsive and comprehensive service, ensuring all content is on-brand and in-line with relevant medical guidelines.
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