Customised Knee Replacement

An implant that is sized and shaped to your precise measurements allows more natural, pain-free movement of the joint. Patients experience less pain after surgery and there is less wear and tear on the implant, meaning that it may last longer. More of the patient’s own healthy bone and ligaments can be preserved and, over time, it is hoped that individuals who have a customised knee replacement experience more stability and more function in the knee.

A CT scan and x-rays are taken prior to surgery, which provides information about the tissues, bones and structure of the knee. A specialist computer programme then creates a personalised three-dimensional image of your knee and virtually corrects the damaged areas. From this, a customised implant is designed that is specific to the anatomy of the patient and precisely sized to sit perfectly within the joint.

Knee replacement is carried out under general anaesthetic. The surgeon makes an incision in the knee and cuts the bone in a highly specific location based on the computer-generated image. The exact placement of these cuts helps ensure that the knee is completely aligned and stabile, with an ability to rotate normally.

A trial implant may be placed within the joint to test the fit, placement and alignment of the device before the custom-fit implant is inserted and fixed in place with cement. The surgeon will then close the incision.

While custom knee implants generally provide an effective and long-lasting relief from pain, like any surgery there are risks. These include:

• Infection of the wound or joint replacement
• Ligament or nerve damage
• Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis
• Ongoing pain in the knee
• Bleeding in the knee joint
• Fracture of surrounding bones
• Risks from anaesthetic

You are likely to offered knee replacement surgery only if other treatments such as physiotherapy or steroid injections have ceased to be effective. Although custom knee replacement generally produces more successful outcomes than conventional knee surgery both are major procedures that will normally only be offered if:

• you have severe pain and your mobility is significantly impacted
• your quality of life is being adversely affected and you are struggling with everyday tasks
• your work or home life is suffering as a result of your knee problems
• the pain is causing low mood or depression

Each year, knee replacements enable thousands of patients to enjoy an active life, free of chronic knee pain.

Our patient-care process

• Once all of your diagnostic procedures are completed, we will be able to explain whether surgery is recommended.
• We will go through the procedures with you, covering the operation itself, the recovery process and the future prospects.
• Your orthopaedic surgeon will also explain the risks: these are small, but it is important for you to understand them.
• You can feel reassured that you will receive expert care from the start of the process, including your after-care.

Public and Patient Guide on hip replacements, published by the National Joint Registry. This gives detailed explanations about hip operations and their various outcomes, and is revised each year.

More information about adult hip pain can be found on the NHS website.

Children can also suffer from a specific type of hip pain known as irritable hip. The NHS website also has information on this condition.