Hip and knee replacement Mō te whakakapi hope me turi
A hip or knee replacement can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility for people who have severe osteoarthritis. It may be an option if non-surgical treatments and lifestyle changes have not helped.
About joint replacements
Joint replacement surgery is usually done when a joint:
- has become very painful
- is causing disability
- can no longer be managed with non-surgical treatments.
During a joint replacement operation, some or all of a damaged or diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
A joint replacement operation is also called arthroplasty. Hips and knees are the most common joints to be replaced.
Knee replacement
Hip replacement
Publicly funded joint replacements
Many people with hip and knee problems can manage well through self care and by making lifestyle changes, and may not need surgery.
Lifestyle changes and self care for osteoarthritis
If lifestyle changes have not helped you, and your healthcare provider thinks you meet the criteria for a hip or knee replacement, they will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon.
The criteria may include:
- how severe your symptoms and disability are
- how your symptoms are affecting your life
- any other illnesses you have
- your weight.
If you do not meet the criteria for treatment in the public system or you do not want to wait for your surgery, you can talk to your healthcare provider about referring you to a private orthopaedic surgeon.
Hip and knee replacement surgery
Replacing one of your hips or knees is major surgery. It is important you understand what it involves and what to expect afterwards.
Your clinical team will provide you with all the information you need about:
- how to prepare for surgery
- the risks of surgery
- what will happen on the day of your operation
- what to expect as you recover.
It is also important to prepare yourself before surgery by:
- staying healthy
- setting up your home to be safe and easy to get around when you leave hospital.
The videos in the links below explain what to expect when you are having hip or knee replacement surgery.
Guide to hip replacement surgery
This video is 29 minutes long and is split into short sections. The sections will play automatically one after the other.
Your guide to hip replacement surgery — YouTube
Guide to knee replacement surgery
This video is 25 minutes long and is split into short sections. The sections will play automatically one after the other.
After a hip or knee replacement
Follow the advice of your clinical team on what to do to help you recover from your surgery as quickly as possible.
Your surgeon will normally see you again 4 to 6 weeks after your operation. By then, you should be able to do most of your normal daily activities again. This includes:
- walking without a walker or crutches
- showering
- driving, if you drive
- returning to work, if you work.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are still having problems with daily activities.
Also talk to them if you want to want to restart a strenuous activity or sport. They may refer you to a physiotherapist or registered exercise professional who can design a specific exercise programme for you.