Knee Replacement in Sharjah

What is knee replacement?

Knee replacement is an operation that replaces the worn surfaces of the knee joint with smooth metal and plastic parts. The name suggests the whole knee is swapped out, yet the surgeon removes only a thin layer of damaged bone and cartilage from the ends of the thigh bone and shin bone, then caps them with the new surfaces. Your own ligaments, muscles and tendons stay in place and keep working the knee, and a plastic insert between the metal parts becomes the new gliding surface.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, knee replacement is performed by the orthopedic surgical team for people whose knee damage has reached the point where pain limits walking, sleep and everyday life. The aim is to relieve pain and restore movement so you can return to the activities that matter to you.

Who needs it

Knee replacement is for adults with severe damage to the knee joint, most often from osteoarthritis, and sometimes from rheumatoid arthritis or an old injury that has worn the joint. The people who gain most usually describe knee pain that wakes them at night, a walking distance that keeps shrinking, and difficulty with stairs, rising from a chair or getting in and out of a car, together with an X-ray that shows damage matching those symptoms. The causes of knee pain and the treatments that come first are covered on the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine page.

Knee replacement is a planned operation, and the timing is your choice. Weight management, strengthening exercises, pain relief and joint injections are the usual steps before surgery, and many people rely on them for years. Replacement comes into the discussion when those measures have run their course and the knee still limits daily life. At the consultation your surgeon explains the operation, the alternatives, what recovery involves, and what a realistic result looks like for someone of your age and activity level. Bring a family member if you can: recovery happens mostly at home, and it goes best when the people you live with understand the plan.

What happens

Knee replacement is carried out under anaesthetic: either a general anaesthetic, or a spinal anaesthetic that numbs you from the waist down, often combined with a nerve block that eases pain in the first days afterwards. The anaesthetist agrees the choice with you beforehand; see Anaesthesiology.

The surgeon makes an incision at the front of the knee, removes the damaged surfaces, shapes the bone ends to fit the implant, and fixes the new parts in place, usually with bone cement. The underside of the kneecap may also be resurfaced. Your surgeon explains beforehand whether a total replacement, which covers the whole joint surface, or a partial replacement, which covers only the most damaged part, suits your knee.

Moving early is part of the treatment. The team helps you stand and take your first steps with a walking frame soon after the operation. Pain relief is planned so that you can move and exercise, and you receive treatment to lower the risk of blood clots.

Preparing for it

Before the operation you have blood tests, an ECG where needed, and a pre-operative assessment to confirm you are fit for the anaesthetic.

Any infection elsewhere in the body is treated first, including a dental abscess, a urine infection or a skin wound on the leg, because bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and settle on a new joint. If you have a painful tooth, see a dentist before your surgery date. Tell the team about every medicine you take; blood thinners and diabetes medicines each need a specific plan.

Stopping smoking helps the wound heal, and good blood sugar control lowers the risk of infection. Strengthening your thigh muscles in the weeks before surgery makes the first steps afterwards easier. At home, clear the walkways, lift loose rugs, and arrange help for the first days after you return. A firm chair with arms and a raised toilet seat make getting up easier.

Afterwards

Rehabilitation exercises are the most important part of recovery, because they rebuild the bend and the straightening of the knee. A physiotherapy programme is arranged as part of your care pathway, and the exercises continue at home. Swelling and warmth around the knee are normal for some weeks, and your surgeon gives you a timeline for your case covering walking aids, driving, work and sport.

Contact the hospital if the wound becomes red, hot or swollen or starts to leak, if you develop a fever, or if knee pain suddenly becomes much worse. Go to the emergency department straight away if you develop pain or swelling in the calf, chest pain or sudden breathlessness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.

Cost and insurance

Knee replacement almost always needs pre-approval from your insurer before an operation date can be set. Approval usually covers the operation, the anaesthetic, the hospital stay and the implant, and some policies assess the implant separately or cap what they pay towards it. Rehabilitation sessions after discharge are often approved separately with their own session limit. Starting the approval early keeps your date on track, and Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.