Total Knee Replacement (Unilateral)

What is Total Knee Replacement (Unilateral) ?

Unilateral knee replacement is a procedure in which one knee is operated. In this surgery, a diseased weight-bearing surface of the knee is replaced with an implant, which can be made up of various artificial material such as metal, titanium, chrome cobalt, polyethylene. Bone cement is used in repair and fixing the implant. The choice of the implant varies from person to person.

In this procedure, general or spinal anesthesia is given. The surgery takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete. The surgeon shaves the relatively thin amount of bone from the end of the thigh bone, top of the leg bone and underside of the kneecap. This allows for snugly fit the implant. After the surgery is completed, a dressing will be placed on the operated knee area. A drainage tube may be placed to help drain excess fluids from the joint post surgery.

You will be admitted to the hospital and you shall undergo medical investigations required prior to surgery. Investigation reports are evaluated and you are explained about the procedure. Pre-anaesthetic check-up (PAC) is conducted and your consent for the procedure is taken.

You would be moved to OT. You would undergo spinal anesthesia and surgery will then be performed. After the surgery, you will be shifted to the normal hospital room. Pain medications would be started. You may have an X-Ray of the operated joint.






  • Do not pivot or twist your operated leg.
  • Do not kneel or squat.


  • You have increasing pain in the operative site.