What Scares People Most About Knee Replacement Surgery?
Pain, anaesthesia, complications and 'will it work?' — addressed honestly below.
Fear of pain is the most common. Modern multimodal pain control means most UKA patients describe the pain as 'less than expected'. Genuine severe post-operative pain is unusual.
Fear of anaesthesia is the second most common. Modern spinal anaesthesia is extremely safe, and most knee replacements are done under spinal rather than general anaesthesia. Serious anaesthetic complications are very rare.
Fear of complications (infection, blood clot, implant failure) is reasonable but the numbers are reassuring: infection <1%, symptomatic blood clot <1% with modern prophylaxis, implant failure <8% at 10 years. Fear of 'will it work?' is best addressed by realistic discussion at consultation — most patients are very satisfied at 6 months.
Educational content only. Prefer to speak first? Try the Knee Check or contact the rooms directly.