Private knee revision surgery explained

Choose the right path for your individual needs.
At Practice Plus Group we offer fast access to high quality knee revision surgery via self-pay, insured and NHS routes.

Knee revision surgery is available at the following locations

While total knee replacement is considered one of the most successful procedures in medicine, it isn’t entirely flawless. Artificial joints are still susceptible to wear and tear from everyday movements and activities. If you’ve been suffering from pain or discomfort in your artificial knee joint, your doctor may recommend knee revision surgery.

What is knee revision?

Knee revision is the same procedure as total knee replacement surgery but for one difference. In total knee replacement, a patient’s affected knee joint is replaced by an artificial one. During the knee revision procedure, the artificial joint is replaced with another artificial joint.

Partial knee revision surgery

Partial knee revision involves the removal of damaged parts of the artificial joint which are then replaced with new ones.

Total knee revision surgery

Total knee revision sees the removal of the entire previous artificial knee joint. It is then replaced with a new one.

Why would I need a knee revision?

There are a number of reasons a patient might need a knee revision, but the most common are:

  • Instability – the knee may give way or even lock during movement
  • Loosening of components – this could involve the femoral, tibial or patella and usually requires a scan to confirm the extent of the loosening
  • Infection – one of the most common risks of surgery. An infection may manifest as swelling or knee pain
  • Wear and tear – the extent of the revision surgery will depend on the damage. For example, if the plastic spacer in the artificial joint has worn, the replacement procedure is fairly straightforward.

Knee replacement revision symptoms

The most common symptoms that indicate the need for knee revision are pain in the affected area and instability when moving around. Your knee may also become swollen or stiff, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks.

What is the success rate of revision knee replacement?

This depends on a few different factors. For example, your age and activity levels will play a part in how long your revision replacement lasts. Older patients that are less active are likely to have a higher success rate than physically active younger patients.

The development of technology and the type of revision you need will also play a role in your joint replacement’s success. In general, revision knee replacements are expected to last for less time than the primary knee replacement.

Possible risks and complications

As with any surgical operation, there are certain risks patients should be aware of.

These include:

  • stiffness of the knee
  • bleeding
  • infection of the wound
  • blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

The knee revision operation takes a little longer than knee replacement surgeries, which increases the risk of complications.

Preparing for knee revision surgery

Before any operation, it’s a good idea to get yourself into good physical condition. Maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce the stress on the affected joint and help you achieve a full recovery. If you’re a smoker, it’s a good idea to give up before your surgery. Smoking can slow your recovery, as well as being bad for your health.

Following your operation, it’s likely that your mobility will be reduced. Consequently, it’s a good idea to prepare your home setup to reduce the risks of falling and overuse. Removing any loose rugs or carpets, investing in a reacher/grabber and enlisting the help of a friend or family member to run errands for you are all good ideas for preparation for knee revision.

Knee replacement revision recovery process

Following your surgery, we know that you’ll be keen to start your recovery. From pain management to the most effective exercises, we take a look at the knee revision recovery process.

Knee revision surgery recovery time

Recovery time depends on the complexity of the type of knee revision you received. The general rules you followed after your original knee replacement will likely still apply. Ask your doctor if you’re unsure or have any questions.

Exercises after knee revision surgery

As with recovering from a knee replacement, the best activities still apply. Swimming, walking and cycling are all good because they’re non-impact with little weight-bearing.

Specific exercises target the muscles around the affected area and include:

  • Knee push-downs: this exercise is aimed at strengthening your quads. Lie on your back with a rolled-up towel placed under your ankles. Press your knees down toward the floor by tightening the muscles on the front of your thigh (your quads). Hold the pressure for five seconds and release. Repeat 15-20 times
  • Hip clam: lie on your side with your knees bent, then lift the knee of your top leg while keeping your feet together. Repeat 12-15 reps on both side
  • Heel slides: flat on your back with your good leg straight out in front of you, bend your affected knee and slide your heel close to your buttocks. If you feel pain you should stop immediately. Keep your knee bent for a second or two before sliding that heel away from your butt. Do 30 reps with a few moments of rest inbetween.

Pain management

In the hours and days after your surgery, you’ll likely feel pain and discomfort. This can be managed through pain relief medication prescribed by your doctor. Long-term pain relief should be alleviated by regular strengthening exercises. Speak to your doctor or physio for more information.

How much does knee revision surgery cost?

Knee revision replacement surgery is generally more expensive than the cost of knee replacement due to the complexity of the procedure and the equipment required. The price you pay will depend on the location of the hospital and your private healthcare provider.

The prices and locations for knee revision surgery at Practice Plus Group are transparent and competitive.

Take a look at our Private and NHS care options for information and advice on booking appointments to choosing the right hospital for your treatment.

Knee revision specialist near me

Knee revision replacement is available at the following Practice Plus Group locations:

  • Barlborough
  • Plymouth
  • Shepton Mallet
  • Southampton
  • St Mary’s Portsmouth
  • Ilford

At Practice Plus Group, we’re passionate about providing you with a positive experience during your knee surgery, while delivering personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness, we’ll make sure you’re looked after.

Why choose Practice Plus Group?

At Practice Plus Group Hospitals, we’re passionate about giving patients a positive experience and excellent clinical outcomes, with personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness and infection control, we’ll make sure you’re looked after. In fact, we were the first provider to have all services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.

Knee revision operation FAQs

Not yet found the answer to your question? Our knee revision FAQs could help!

This depends on the specific patient case. Some knee revision surgeries can last for an hour, while other patients can be in theatre for a few hours.

There’s no limit to the number of knee revisions you can have. However, there is a correlation between the number of surgeries and their effectiveness. The more surgeries you have, the more complex the operations become. The certainty of successful outcomes also becomes less likely.

To reduce pain and manage the discomfort in your affected knee, there are a few things you can do. Among the alternatives are pain management, generally through the use of painkillers. You can also try to ‘live with’ the discomfort, but this can affect your quality of life. If the pain can no longer be managed by medication, your doctor may recommend a knee revision.

The knee revision surgery itself isn’t painful as you’ll be under general or spinal anaesthesia. After the surgery, it’s likely that you will experience some discomfort and tenderness. This can be managed by using painkillers prescribed by your doctor.

Like knee replacement, a knee revision operation is considered a complex and major procedure. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

The most common reason for knee revision is general wear and tear of the artificial joint. The lifespan is generally less than the primary knee replacement which is expected to last between 10-15 years.

If you’re experiencing knee instability, swelling or pain, your doctor may recommend a knee revision replacement.

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