10 Questions to Ask Before Scheduling Knee Replacement

Before You Schedule: 10 Essential Questions

Knee replacement surgery helps many people regain mobility and reduce pain. But it’s also major surgery with significant recovery time and permanent changes to your body. Before scheduling, make sure you can answer these 10 questions.

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Question 1: Have I Exhausted All Conservative Options?

Why This Matters

Surgery should be a last resort, not a first option. Many patients find relief with treatments they haven’t fully explored.

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “Have I tried imaging-guided injections, or only blind injections?”
• “Have I completed a full course of physical therapy?”
• “Have I tried viscosupplementation (gel injections)?”

What You Should Know

• 30% of blind injections miss the joint entirely
• PT should be 6-12 weeks minimum with a qualified therapist
• Gel injections can delay surgery by 1-4+ years
• Medicare covers these conservative options

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Question 2: What’s My Chance of Being Satisfied?

The Statistics

• 80% of patients report satisfaction
• 20% report ongoing problems

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “Based on my specific situation, what’s my likely outcome?”
• “What factors predict whether I’ll be in the satisfied 80% or dissatisfied 20%?”
• “What issues do dissatisfied patients typically report?”

Red Flags for Lower Satisfaction

• Younger age (under 55)
• Unrealistic expectations
• Significant depression or anxiety
• Chronic pain conditions elsewhere
• Compensation or legal issues pending

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Question 3: What Will I NOT Be Able to Do After Surgery?

Common Limitations

• Kneeling may remain uncomfortable
• High-impact activities typically restricted
• Deep squatting often limited
• The knee will never feel “normal”

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “Can I return to [specific activity you care about]?”
• “What activities will I need to avoid permanently?”
• “Will I be able to kneel comfortably?”

Important to Understand

The goal is pain reduction and improved function—not restoration to your 20-year-old knee.

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Question 4: What’s My Revision Risk?

The Numbers

Age at Surgery	Revision Risk by 25 Years
Under 55	~25%
55-64	~15%
65+	~5-10%

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “Given my age, how many replacements might I need in my lifetime?”
• “What does a revision surgery involve?”
• “How does revision compare to the first surgery?”

Why This Matters

Each revision is more complex. Bone loss makes subsequent surgeries harder. Younger patients may face 2-3 surgeries over their lifetime.

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Question 5: What Are the Risks and Complications?

Short-Term Risks

Complication	Approximate Risk
Blood clots	1-2%
Infection	1-2%
Stiffness requiring manipulation	2-3%
Blood transfusion	5-10%

Long-Term Risks

• Implant loosening
• Persistent pain (up to 20%)
• Instability
• Nerve damage

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “What are YOUR complication rates?”
• “How do you minimize these risks?”
• “What happens if I develop a complication?”

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Question 6: What’s the Recovery Timeline?

Typical Timeline

Milestone	Timeframe
Hospital discharge	1-3 days
Walking with walker	1-2 weeks
Walking without aids	4-6 weeks
Driving	4-8 weeks
Return to desk work	6-8 weeks
Return to physical work	3-6 months
Full recovery	6-12 months

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “What specific support will I need at home?”
• “How much physical therapy is required?”
• “When can I realistically expect to feel ‘better than before’?”

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Question 7: Who Will Perform My Surgery?

What to Know About Your Surgeon

• How many knee replacements do they perform annually?
• What’s their specific complication rate?
• Are they fellowship-trained in joint replacement?
• What surgical approach do they use?

What to Ask

• “How many knee replacements do you do per year?”
• “What are your personal outcome statistics?”
• “Will you be doing the entire surgery yourself?”

Volume Matters

Research shows surgeons who perform more procedures have better outcomes. Look for 50+ knee replacements per year.

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Question 8: What Type of Implant Will Be Used?

Types of Implants

• Cemented vs. Cementless - How it attaches to bone
• Fixed vs. Mobile Bearing - How the plastic insert moves
• Cruciate-Retaining vs. Posterior-Stabilized - Ligament preservation

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “What implant do you recommend for me and why?”
• “How long is this implant typically lasting in your patients?”
• “Is this implant well-established or newer?”

What You Should Know

Most modern implants last 15-20+ years. Newer isn’t always better—established designs have longer track records.

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Question 9: Can I Delay Surgery Safely?

What to Ask Your Doctor

• “What happens if I wait another year?”
• “Will my outcome be worse if I delay?”
• “Can I try conservative treatment while deciding?”

The Reality

For most patients, delaying surgery to try conservative care:

• Doesn’t worsen surgical outcomes
• May provide years of relief
• Leaves surgery as an option later
• Allows time for informed decision-making

When Delay May Not Be Advisable

• Significant bone deformity progressing
• Instability causing falls
• Rapid deterioration of function

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Question 10: Is This the Right Time for ME?

Personal Factors to Consider

• Can you commit to 3-6 months of recovery?
• Do you have support at home?
• Are there life events that would be affected?
• Have you processed the decision emotionally?
• Are your expectations realistic?

Signs You May Be Ready

• Conservative treatments have truly failed
• Daily pain significantly impacts quality of life
• You understand and accept the limitations
• You have realistic expectations
• You can commit to the recovery process

Signs You May Not Be Ready

• You haven’t tried imaging-guided injections
• PT was incomplete or not tried
• You expect the knee to feel “normal”
• You can’t take time for proper recovery
• You’re feeling pressured

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Summary Checklist

Before scheduling, confirm:

• Tried imaging-guided injections
• Completed full PT course
• Explored viscosupplementation
• Understand satisfaction statistics
• Know post-surgery limitations
• Understand revision risk based on age
• Know the complication risks
• Understand the recovery timeline
• Researched surgeon’s experience
• Considered whether timing is right

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Ready to Explore Alternatives?

Before scheduling surgery, take our Knee Health Score Quiz to assess whether you may be a candidate for Medicare-covered conservative treatment.