Before You Schedule Knee Replacement, Know These Stats
Considering knee replacement? Know the real stats on outcomes, recovery, and revision rates before deciding. Essential numbers every patient should see.
By Joint Pain Authority Team
Important: This Isn’t Anti-Surgery
Knee replacement surgery helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. For many patients, it’s the right choice. But surgery is also:
- Irreversible - Once you have a replacement, there’s no going back
- Major - Requires significant recovery time
- Not guaranteed - About 20% of patients report dissatisfaction
Before scheduling, make sure you understand the complete picture.
The Numbers You Should Know
Surgery Outcomes
The Positives
- 80% of patients are satisfied
- Average implant lasts 15-20 years
- Significant pain relief for most
- Improved mobility for many
- Well-established procedure
The Challenges
- 20% report persistent problems
- 6% revision rate within 5 years
- Average 3-month minimum recovery
- Hospital stay typically 1-3 days
- PT required for 3-6 months
Recovery Timeline
| Milestone | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Hospital discharge | 1-3 days |
| Walking with walker | 1-2 weeks |
| Walking without aids | 4-6 weeks |
| Return to driving | 4-8 weeks |
| Return to work (desk job) | 6-8 weeks |
| Physical jobs | 3-6 months |
| Full recovery | 6-12 months |
Who’s Most Likely to Have Problems?
Higher Risk Groups
Research shows certain patients have higher rates of dissatisfaction:
Younger patients (under 55)
- Higher revision rates (implants wear out during lifetime)
- May need 2-3 replacements over life
- Each revision is more complex than the original
Patients with unrealistic expectations
- Won’t restore knee to “like new”
- Some activities still limited
- Kneeling often remains uncomfortable
Patients who haven’t tried conservative care
- May have options they haven’t explored
- Surgery should be last resort, not first
The Under-55 Problem
If you’re younger than 55, consider this carefully:
- 25% revision rate by 25 years post-surgery
- Each revision surgery is more complex
- Bone loss makes revisions more difficult
- You may face 2-3 surgeries over your lifetime
Complications and Risks
Short-Term Risks
| Complication | Occurrence Rate |
|---|---|
| Blood clots (DVT) | 1-2% |
| Infection | 1-2% |
| Stiffness requiring manipulation | 2-3% |
| Nerve damage | Under 1% |
| Blood loss requiring transfusion | 5-10% |
Long-Term Concerns
- Implant loosening - Most common reason for revision
- Persistent pain - Affects up to 20% of patients
- Instability - Can require revision surgery
- Wear and failure - Average 15-20 year implant life
What the Dissatisfied 20% Report
Patients unhappy with their knee replacement commonly report:
- Persistent pain or stiffness
- Unable to kneel comfortably
- “Doesn’t feel like my knee”
- Clicking, popping, or instability
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness around the knee
These issues can’t be fixed with more surgery.
Alternatives to Explore First
Before surgery, have you tried all conservative options?
Viscosupplementation (Gel Injections)
- Medicare-covered since 1997
- Provides 6-12 months of relief for many
- Can delay surgery by 1-4+ years
- No recovery time needed
- Repeatable if effective
Imaging-Guided Injections
Many “failed” injections fail due to accuracy issues:
- 30% of blind injections miss the joint
- Imaging-guided injections are 100% accurate
- May work when blind injections failed
Comprehensive Physical Therapy
- Strengthens supporting muscles
- Improves function and reduces pain
- Can postpone or prevent surgery
- Covered by most insurance
Bracing
- Unloader braces shift weight from damaged areas
- Medicare-covered with prescription
- Immediate mechanical relief
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
Before scheduling surgery, ask:
-
“What’s my chance of being in the dissatisfied 20%?”
- Get an honest assessment of your specific situation
-
“Have I exhausted all conservative options?”
- Including imaging-guided injections
-
“What will I NOT be able to do after surgery?”
- Understand limitations before committing
-
“What’s my revision risk based on my age?”
- Critical if you’re under 55
-
“Can I delay surgery with other treatments?”
- Many patients gain years of relief
When Surgery IS the Right Choice
Surgery makes sense when:
- Conservative treatments have truly been exhausted
- Quality of life is severely impacted
- The patient has realistic expectations
- The patient is a good surgical candidate
- The patient understands and accepts the risks
But make sure you’ve explored all alternatives first.
Your Decision Checklist
Before proceeding with surgery, confirm:
- Tried imaging-guided injections (not just blind injections)
- Completed full course of physical therapy
- Explored viscosupplementation options
- Understand revision risks based on your age
- Have realistic expectations about outcomes
- Know the recovery timeline and commitment
- Have discussed alternatives with your surgeon
Ready to Explore Alternatives?
Take our 3-minute Knee Health Score Quiz to find out if you may be a candidate for Medicare-covered conservative treatment.
Take the Quiz
Get Treatment Insights
Weekly evidence-based information on joint pain treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical.
Join 10,000+ readers. No spam.
References
- Bourne RB, et al. Patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2010.
- AAHKS. Total Knee Replacement Statistics. 2024.
- Pabinger C, et al. Revision rates after total joint arthroplasty. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2015.
Topics
Enjoyed this article?
Get more insights like this delivered to your inbox weekly.
Join 10,000+ readers. No spam.