Knee Replacement Surgery

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When painful, stiff knees don’t respond to conservative measures like physical therapy and medication, you need a more permanent solution. If you need a knee replacement, we offer a variety of options with demonstrated success.

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Knee Replacement Procedures

Our orthopaedic surgeons offer several options designed to relieve the painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis and help you return to an active lifestyle.

Partial Knee Replacement

When knee arthritis affects only one section of your knee, you may be a candidate for a partial knee replacement, which resurfaces the worn part of the joint with a metal and plastic liner. Since we preserve more bone, you can have better function and movement.

Total Knee Replacement

During total knee replacement surgery, damaged cartilage is removed, and the end of the thigh bone and the top of the lower leg bone are resurfaced with metal where the two bones join together. Ligaments and tendons are left in place. A plastic spacer is placed between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface, which also helps minimize pain and improves your gait. This spacer becomes your new cartilage.

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement

This approach uses smaller incisions when appropriate -- typically only four to six inches long -- compared with the traditional eight to 10 inches. This approach could lead to shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, and a quicker return to normal activity. Minimally invasive knee replacement may be combined with computer-assisted or robotic techniques to improve results.

Computer-Assisted Knee Replacement

We helped develop GPS-like technology that's used during surgery to guide the placement of surgical instruments and increase precision placement of artificial knee joint implants.

Patient-Specific Knee Replacement Surgery

Doctors can customize the knee replacement to your unique anatomy by using advanced imaging before surgery. These images help us create an individualized procedure plan and a one-of-a-kind surgical guide for your procedure.

Revision Knee Replacement

Our orthopaedic surgeons are committed to alleviating pain and disability that can occur after a previous knee replacement surgery. We have extensive experience managing and performing complex total knee replacement revisions to address infection, mechanical wear, loosening, prosthetic breakage, and instability.

Duke Orthopaedic Clinics

Duke orthopaedic clinics are located throughout the Triangle. Find one near you. In-person and virtual appointments are available.

Lasting Results for Knee Replacement Surgery

History of Success
Over the past 25 years, our orthopaedic surgeons have achieved a success rate of over 90% with the artificial knees we implanted. We perform many knee replacements to correct previous surgeries done elsewhere. We offer you the best care possible, including less risk of complications and a decreased likelihood of needing additional surgery in the future.

Experienced, Specialized Team
Our board-certified surgeons are fellowship-trained, meaning they have undergone additional years of specialized training. As a team, we perform thousands of knee replacement surgeries each year, and many of our orthopaedic surgeons perform joint replacement procedures exclusively. This vast experience helps us effectively manage both routine and complicated replacements.

Before- and After-Surgery Care
Before your surgery, our team encourages you to participate in our monthly pre-operative total joint replacement classes. In addition, our online video series explains what to expect from joint replacement surgery. Finally, our Joint Health Program can help prepare your body for surgery so you have the best chance for a good outcome. After surgery, physical therapy can help you optimize your ability to move and enjoy daily activities.

Better, Longer-Lasting Joint Replacements
As leaders in the field of orthopaedic and joint replacement research, our knee replacement surgeons are early adopters of important new technologies like patient-specific, computer-assisted, and minimally invasive knee replacements. We constantly test and develop promising new procedures and artificial joints. Our goal is to make joint replacements work better and last longer.

New Patient Appointment

Shorter Hospital Stays, Faster Recovery 
We strive to provide safe and efficient specialized knee replacement care. Our team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, pain specialists, orthopaedic nurses, physical therapists, and patient navigators work together to prepare you for surgery in order to shorten your hospital stay and hasten your recovery.

Convenient, Knee-Specific Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists specialize in knee replacement rehabilitation. Your therapy will begin the day of your surgery and continue after you are discharged. Our outpatient team has many convenient locations.

Outpatient Knee Arthroplasty 
Duke Health is committed to providing knee replacement surgery in the most appropriate environment for you. As techniques and therapies have improved, many knee replacements can be done on an outpatient basis. Our team will work with you and your family to determine which setting -- inpatient or outpatient -- is best.

Telehealth for Safe and Effective Care 
Our orthopaedic and therapy teams offer virtual visits. These visits can take place over the phone or by video using a computer or mobile device with a camera. This option allows you to receive convenient medical care that is safe and effective.

Best Orthopaedic Hospital in North Carolina

Where you receive your care matters. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our orthopaedics program is nationally ranked, and the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2024–2025.

This page was medically reviewed on 08/01/2023 by