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Orthopedics 
Knee replacement is an operation in which the worn surfaces of the knee joint are removed and resurfaced with metal and plastic components, so that bone no longer grinds against bone. It is used for advanced arthritis where pain limits walking, disturbs sleep and has not responded to physiotherapy, weight management, pain relief or injections. A total knee replacement resurfaces the whole joint; a partial replacement treats only the damaged compartment and is suitable for a smaller group of people. It is a major operation with a recovery measured in months, and the result depends as much on rehabilitation as on the surgery itself.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: adults with advanced knee arthritis confirmed on X-ray, causing pain on walking, at rest or at night, and limiting daily life despite non-surgical treatment.
Less ideal if: you have an active infection anywhere in the body, poorly controlled diabetes or heart disease, severe unaddressed obesity that markedly raises your surgical risk, or no realistic access to physiotherapy and help at home afterwards.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Aims to relieve arthritic knee pain that has not responded to non-surgical treatment
- Can restore the ability to walk further, climb stairs and sleep without pain waking you
- Corrects deformity such as a bowed or knock-kneed leg in many cases
- Modern implants are long-lasting, with many still functioning well beyond a decade
- Partial replacement is possible for some people, preserving more of the natural knee
- A structured rehabilitation programme is provided to continue at home
Risks & considerations
- Infection, including deep infection around the implant, which may require further surgery
- Blood clots in the leg or lung, which is why clot prevention and early walking are essential
- Persistent pain, stiffness or a knee that does not bend as far as hoped
- Nerve or blood vessel injury, causing numbness, weakness or, rarely, lasting damage
- Fracture around the implant, loosening, wear or instability over the years
- A permanent area of numbness beside the scar, and kneeling often remaining uncomfortable
Am I a candidate?
- X-rays show advanced arthritis that matches where your pain is
- Pain limits walking, stairs or sleep despite physiotherapy, medication or injections
- You are medically fit for anaesthesia, with any long-term conditions well controlled
- You can arrange physiotherapy and practical help at home for the weeks after surgery
- You understand that recovery takes months and that the knee will feel different from a natural one
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
Knee replacement is carried out under spinal or general anaesthetic and takes around one to two hours. The worn ends of the thigh bone and shin bone are removed and replaced with metal components, with a plastic bearing between them and, where needed, a resurfaced kneecap; the components may be fixed with bone cement. You typically stay two to four nights in hospital, stand and walk with a frame or crutches within a day of surgery, and begin bending and strengthening exercises with a physiotherapist immediately. Clot-prevention medication, pain relief and wound care continue at home. Most people walk with a stick at around two to six weeks, drive at around six weeks depending on the side operated on and their recovery, and continue improving for a year. Risks include infection, blood clots, stiffness, ongoing pain, nerve or blood vessel injury, fracture around the implant, differences in leg length, and loosening or wear of the implant over time.
What knee replacement treats
Knee replacement is an operation for arthritis, not for pain in general. In an arthritic knee the smooth cartilage covering the joint surfaces has worn away, leaving bone rubbing on bone, and the resulting pain typically builds over years: first on long walks and stairs, then on shorter distances, then at rest and at night. X-rays show narrowing of the joint space and other arthritic changes, and the operation is considered when those findings match where the pain actually is and when non-surgical treatment has stopped controlling it.
The operation removes the worn surfaces and resurfaces them. The lower end of the thigh bone and the upper end of the shin bone are shaped to receive metal components, and a plastic bearing between them takes the place of the lost cartilage. The kneecap may also be resurfaced. Bone cement is often used to fix the components, and any deformity — a bowed or knock-kneed leg — is usually corrected in the process.
Total versus partial
| Total knee replacement | Partial (unicompartmental) | |
|---|---|---|
| Treats | Arthritis affecting the whole joint | Arthritis confined to one compartment |
| Ligaments | Some are removed or substituted | Preserved |
| Recovery | Generally slower, more swelling early on | Often quicker, and the knee can feel more natural |
| Suitability | Most people with advanced arthritis | A smaller group, decided on imaging and examination |
A partial replacement is not simply a lesser version of the same operation — it is a different operation with different criteria, and it can be converted to a total replacement later if arthritis progresses elsewhere in the knee.
Recovery, week by week
| Stage | What is typical |
|---|---|
| Days 0–3 | Standing and walking with a frame or crutches within a day; physiotherapy begins; pain relief and clot prevention in place; two to four nights in hospital |
| Weeks 1–2 | Walking short distances with crutches; bending exercises several times daily; swelling and night pain common; wound reviewed before flying home |
| Weeks 3–6 | Progressing to a stick; stairs become easier; many people drive at around six weeks depending on the side operated and their control |
| Weeks 6–12 | Walking distance builds; strengthening becomes the focus; swelling still fluctuates after activity |
| 3–12 months | Continued gains in strength, comfort and confidence; the knee usually still feels different from a natural knee |
Increasing pain, spreading redness, wound discharge, fever, calf pain or breathlessness should be reported urgently, as they may indicate infection or a blood clot.
Being honest about the result
A knee replacement is a reliable operation for pain relief, and for most people that is what it delivers. It is less reliable at producing a knee that feels entirely normal. Numbness beside the scar is usual and often permanent. Kneeling is frequently uncomfortable. Some people notice clicking from the implant, or an awareness of the joint that never quite disappears. A small proportion continue to have pain despite a technically sound operation and normal-looking X-rays, and that possibility should be part of the conversation before surgery rather than after it.
Weight, activity level and bone quality all influence how long an implant lasts, and high-impact activity shortens it. None of this argues against the operation where arthritis is genuinely limiting life — it argues for going into it with an accurate picture.
Having knee replacement in Türkiye
As a medical travel facilitator, we coordinate knee replacement at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye, with orthopedic surgeons carrying out the surgery. Before you travel, your weight-bearing X-rays, symptoms and medical history are reviewed so the treating surgeon can advise whether replacement is warranted, whether a partial replacement might apply, and what recovery would realistically involve.
Packages are all-inclusive and transparent, typically covering pre-operative checks, surgery, the hospital stay, hotel accommodation, airport and hospital transfers, in-hospital physiotherapy and an English-speaking coordinator at every appointment, with a review before you fly home. Arranging physiotherapy and help at home before you travel is essential rather than optional — see our orthopedics overview for why rehabilitation carries so much of the result, and your patient journey for how a typical visit is organised.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice; suitability can only be confirmed after an individual assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Total or partial knee replacement — which will I need? +
It depends on how much of the knee is affected. A partial replacement treats one worn compartment and preserves the ligaments and the rest of the joint, which can mean a quicker recovery and a more natural feel, but it suits only people whose arthritis is confined to that compartment and whose ligaments are intact. A total replacement resurfaces the whole joint and is used where arthritis is widespread. Your X-rays and examination determine which is appropriate.
How long is the recovery? +
You walk with support within a day or two and are usually independent on crutches or a stick within a few weeks. Most people manage everyday activity at around six to twelve weeks, and improvement in strength, swelling and comfort continues for up to a year. Recovery is not linear — swelling and stiffness fluctuate, particularly in the evenings and after activity.
How much will my knee bend? +
Most people achieve enough bend for walking, stairs, sitting and driving. Deep bending such as kneeling and squatting is often uncomfortable or limited, and kneeling can remain difficult permanently. How far the knee bends afterwards is influenced by how far it bent before surgery and by how consistently you do your exercises in the first weeks.
How long will the implant last? +
Modern knee implants are designed for many years of use and a large proportion are still working well more than a decade after surgery, but no implant is permanent. Longevity is affected by age, weight, activity level and bone quality. Revision surgery is possible if an implant wears or loosens, and is a larger operation than the first.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye? +
A stay of around ten to fourteen days is typical: pre-operative checks, surgery, two to four nights in hospital, early physiotherapy, wound review and confirmation that you are fit to fly. Your personalised plan confirms the schedule for your case.
When can I fly home? +
The treating surgeon confirms fitness to fly, commonly around ten to fourteen days after surgery, once the wound is settled and the risk of blood clots is being managed. Clot-prevention medication, moving regularly during the flight and, where advised, compression stockings are part of the plan. An aisle seat and extra legroom are worth arranging.
Will I need physiotherapy at home? +
Yes, and it should be arranged before you travel. The exercises started in hospital continue for months, and the final result depends heavily on them. You are given a written programme to hand to a physiotherapist at home.
What activity will I be able to do afterwards? +
Walking, swimming, cycling and everyday activity are usually encouraged once you have recovered. High-impact activity such as running, jumping and contact sport is generally advised against, because it increases wear on the implant. The treating surgeon will discuss what is realistic for your knee and your goals.