Hip and Knee Replacement: Things To Know Before Surgery
Constant hip or knee pain can affect much more than walking. Everyday activities such as climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, or sleeping comfortably can become difficult when joint pain and stiffness continue. For some people with advanced joint disease, hip or knee replacement may be considered when pain and loss of function significantly affect quality of life, and non-surgical treatments are no longer adequate. The decision is not based on pain alone and should be made after an individual assessment [1].
This guide explains when joint replacement may be considered, what the surgery involves, how modern techniques are used, and what patients can realistically expect during recovery.
Quick Thoughts
- Consider hip or knee replacement when joint symptoms substantially affect daily life and appropriate non-surgical options are no longer effective or suitable.
- The decision depends on the joint condition, symptoms, functional limitations, overall health, imaging findings, and patient preferences.
- Minimally invasive or tissue-sparing techniques may suit selected patients, but benefits and suitability depend on the procedure and individual circumstances.
- Recovery varies from person to person. Early mobilisation is common, but timelines for walking, driving, work, exercise, and other activities differ for everyone.
What is Hip and Knee Replacement?
Joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, involves removing damaged parts of a joint and replacing them with artificial components.
- Total Knee Replacement: In total knee replacement, damaged surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone are replaced with prosthetic components. Depending on the surgical plan, surgeons may also place a component on the underside of the kneecap.
- Hip Replacement: In total hip replacement, surgeons replace the damaged ball-and-socket joint with artificial components. Materials may include combinations of metal, ceramic, and polyethene, depending on the implant design and clinical situation.
When Might Joint Replacement Be Considered?
No single symptom or X-ray finding automatically means you need surgery. Joint replacement may be considered when symptoms such as pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, or progressive deformity substantially affect quality of life. It is more important when appropriate non-surgical treatment has been ineffective or unsuitable.
You may discuss surgical options with an orthopaedic specialist if you experience any of the following:
- Constant joint pain that interferes with daily activities
- Significant stiffness or reduced range of movement
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
- Increasing difficulty with routine activities
- Pain that interferes with sleep
- Progressive deformity
- Symptoms remain despite appropriate non-surgical treatment
Base the decision on the overall clinical picture, not pain intensity alone.
Before Surgery: What Does the Assessment Involve?
Before recommending joint replacement, the orthopaedic team consider the following particulars:
- Your symptoms and their duration
- How the condition affects daily activities
- Physical examination findings
- X-rays or other imaging when appropriate
- Previous treatments and their effectiveness
- Other medical conditions
- Current medicines
- Weight, mobility, and functional status
- Surgical and anaesthetic risks
- Your expectations and preferences
Preoperative optimisation may include exercise, management of existing medical conditions, nutritional advice, smoking cessation, and preparation for rehabilitation. This assessment is particularly important for people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, obesity, or other factors that may affect surgical planning [1].
Modern Approaches to Joint Replacement
Surgical techniques and rehabilitation pathways have evolved considerably, but no single technique is best for every patient. Minimally Invasive and Tissue-Sparing Techniques are now quite popular. This allows some hip and knee procedures to be performed through approaches designed to limit disruption to surrounding tissues. Potential advantages may include smaller incisions or reduced soft-tissue disruption in appropriately selected patients. However, pain, blood loss, hospital stay, rehabilitation needs, and recovery time vary by procedure, patient, surgeon, and other factors.
The surgical approach should therefore be selected according to the individual clinical situation rather than simply choosing the technique with the smallest incision.
Implant Materials and Longevity
Modern joint replacements use different implant designs and bearing materials, including combinations of the following:
- Metal alloys
- Ceramic
- Highly cross-linked polyethene
- Other specialised materials
An implant’s expected lifespan varies.
Long-term studies show that many modern hip and knee replacements remain functional for 20 years or longer, but 20 or 25 years should not be presented as a guaranteed lifespan for an individual patient [2].
For example, a large systematic review of hip replacements found substantial long-term survivorship, while registry data for knee replacements also show that many remain unrevised at 25 years. However, outcomes vary by patient and implant type [2].
Factors that may influence long-term implant survival include the following:
- Age at surgery
- Activity level
- Body weight
- Implant design
- Surgical factors
- Joint involved
- Underlying condition
- Infection or other complications
- Patient-specific biological factors
A joint replacement should therefore be viewed as a long-term treatment, rather than a guaranteed lifelong solution.
How Patients Recover After Surgery?
Recovery begins soon after surgery and usually includes early mobilisation and physiotherapy. Current guidance recommends mobilisation on the day of surgery or within 24 hours for many patients, when medically appropriate [3]. However, recovery is not identical for everyone.
A typical recovery pattern is tabulated below:
| Stage | What may happen |
| First 1-2 days | Mobilisation with assistance, pain management, and early exercises when appropriate |
| First few weeks | Gradual improvement in walking and everyday activities, often with physiotherapy |
| Around 4-6 weeks | Some patients resume more routine daily activities, depending on recovery and occupation |
| Following months | Strength, mobility, balance, and endurance may continue to improve |
| Longer term | Gradual return to appropriate recreational and physical activities based on medical advice |
These are general examples, not fixed milestones.
Final Thoughts
Hip and knee replacement can improve pain and function for appropriately selected patients, but surgery isn’t automatically the next step when medicines or physiotherapy become less effective. The decision depends on symptom severity, functional limitations, joint condition, surgical risks, personal goals, and other factors. Modern implants and rehabilitation pathways have improved considerably, but there is no universal recovery timetable or guaranteed implant lifespan. Eskag Sanjeevani Hospitals provides orthopaedic services for patients with hip and knee conditions. Our orthopaedic team can assess joint symptoms, review imaging and previous treatments. You can also discuss non-surgical and surgical options and plan rehabilitation based on your clinical needs.
During the surgery, you will be under anaesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing. Post-surgery, we use advanced pain management techniques (like nerve blocks) to keep you comfortable. Most Hip and Knee Replacement patients report that the surgical pain is far less than the chronic arthritis pain they lived with before.
With today’s advanced technology and durable materials, a Hip and Knee Replacement implant can last 20 to 25 years, or even longer with proper care and a healthy lifestyle.
You will be surprised! Our physiotherapists will help you stand and take your first steps within 24 hours of your knee surgery. By the time you are discharged (usually in 3-5 days), you will be walking with a walker.
Yes, most comprehensive health insurance policies and cashless TPA facilities cover Hip and Knee Replacement surgeries. Our helpdesk at Eskag Sanjeevani can assist you with the paperwork to ensure a smooth claim process.
We have a team of highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons. Dr. Pratik Gupta and Dr. Rahul Mondal are among our top specialists known for their high success rates in Hip and Knee Replacement. You can check their profiles on our website and choose the one that suits your schedule.
We are certainly a top contender! With our advanced laminar flow OTs, experienced surgical team, and affordable hip replacement surgery cost, we provide world-class care right here in North Kolkata (Baghbazar, Baranagar, Khardah).
Yes, this is called a bilateral Hip and Knee Replacement (specifically bilateral knee replacement). If you are generally healthy and have good heart function, our doctors often recommend doing both at once to save on hospital time and combine the recovery periods.