Spire Cardiff Hospital will begin a refurbishment programme on ward 1 which is located on the ground floor of the hospital. The hospital may be a little noisier than usual and we apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your patience during this period.

Private knee replacement Cardiff

An artificial knee joint is used to replace the damaged joint.

Enquire about this treatment Find a consultant

0292 054 2509

0292 073 6011

At Spire Cardiff Hospital, our consultants use trusted and clinically proven knee replacement techniques in Cardiff. Personalised treatment and aftercare mean you can get the most from your knee replacement.

A knee replacement is a common operation, where your orthopaedic (bone and muscle) consultant will replace damaged parts of your knee with an artificial joint. The procedure can help to relieve pain and make movement easier.

Sometimes also called

  • Patellofemoral replacement
  • Partial knee replacement (PKR)
  • Revision knee replacement
  • Total knee replacement (TKR)
  • Unicompartmental knee replacement

The procedure(s) listed above are examples only and may not be available at all Spire hospitals.


At a glance

  • Typical hospital stay
    3 days

  • Procedure duration
    1–2 hours

  • Type of anaesthetic
    General, spinal or epidural

  • Available to self-pay?
    Yes

  • Covered by health insurance?
    Yes

Why Spire?

  • Fast access to treatment when you need it
  • Specialist in a wide range of treatments
  • Clear pricing with no hidden charges

By Wallace Health I Medically reviewed by Adrian Roberts.
Page last reviewed: October 2018 I Next review due: October 2023

Knee replacement surgery: what to expect at Spire Cardiff Hospital

Spire Cardiff Hospital is a Centre of Excellence for orthopaedics, which means our highly-skilled teams meet high standards to provide the care you can trust.

We offer fast access to diagnostic tests and scans, so you won’t have to wait long to find out if treatment is right for you. We expect it to take three to four weeks from your first appointment to your surgery.

How to book

To book a knee replacement, complete the enquiry form or call 029 2073 5515.

Choose Spire Cardiff Hospital if you live in South Wales, including Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, or somewhere else nearby.

 

How much does Knee replacement cost at Spire Cardiff Hospital

It’s a common operation to have done privately, and our inclusive prices and access to payment plans make it easy and more affordable, even if you don’t have medical insurance.

Knee replacement
Initial consultation £170
Treatment price £15,610
Aftercare Included
From price From £15,780
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£360
Representative example
Loan amount £14,360
Deposit £1,250
Loan period 48 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £17,280

The price shown is the ‘from price’ (ie the minimum cost of the procedure). Please note that for some procedures the actual price you are quoted may vary significantly and can increase depending on your choice of Consultant (who is an independent practitioner and not an employee of Spire). The fees charged by Consultants and Anaesthetists are set independently and are outside the control of Spire. The price may also vary depending on the type of anaesthetic, implant or drug used, and your medical history.

Spire Cardiff Hospital can provide you with a single, fixed price for your procedure so there are no surprises. Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price when paying for yourself. Finance options are available through our partner Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd, 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD.

Procedures offered for knee replacement at Spire Cardiff Hospital

At Spire Cardiff Hospital, we have a wide range of experience performing knee replacement surgery in our high-quality facilities, including two operating theatres with laminar flow. These theatres regulate air flow to reduce the risk of infection.

We also offer some of the latest surgical techniques, which may be beneficial to some patients. This includes Signature Personalised Patient Care – 3D MRI scans and custom made alignment guides help your surgeon align and position your new knee joint

We’re proud to offer ConforMis custom implants which are manufactured using your exact knee measurements for a better fit and alignment after surgery. Your consultant will explain the different prostheses available to you in your consultations.

Preparing for knee replacement at Spire Cardiff Hospital

Getting here

Spire Cardiff Hospital is in Pentwyn, just 15 minutes drive from Cardiff Central train station. We’re a short distance from the M4 and are well signposted from the junction, with free parking available. Public transport options are also available.

Your consultations

Your initial consultation will take place in one of our 21 accessible consulting rooms, so don’t worry if you have difficulty walking. During your consultations, we'll:

  • Ask about your medical history
  • Say whether you need an X-ray, and/or an MRI or CT scan so your consultant can examine your knee in more detail
  • Tell you about the different types of artificial knee joints – also called a prosthesis – as well as surgical methods
  • Explain about the different anaesthetic options, and help you choose the best one for you
  • Give you a chance to ask any questions you have about your surgery

Once you and your consultant have decided to go ahead with knee surgery, your physiotherapist will explain your recovery plan.

Full knee replacement surgery

Watch how a knee replacement surgery takes place

Knee replacement: your procedure

On the day of your procedure, our ward staff will show you to your room and get you settled in. If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in our lounge or restaurant while you have your operation.

Your consultant and surgical team will prepare you for your operation.

Anaesthetic options

You'll usually have a general anaesthetic, where you’re unconscious, however, sometimes it’s preferable or necessary to have an epidural (spinal anaesthetic), where you’re numb from the waist down.

Visit our knee replacement surgery page for more information.

During your operation

Your consultant will make the necessary incisions and begin to remove worn or damaged areas of your knee joint. They’ll then fit your new knee and close your incisions.

The operation should take no more than a couple of hours. You’ll start your recovery at Spire Cardiff Hospital, staying with us for three days.

Q & A

Winston Kim, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Talking about knee replacement surgery

Knee replacement surgery: your recovery

After your surgery, you’ll begin your recovery in one of our 66 comfortable private rooms. Your room will have:

  • Armchair
  • En-suite
  • TV
  • WiFi access
  • Window

Our nursing team will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible while you recover, with pain relief to help manage discomfort and anything else you need.

Although everybody’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline for knee replacement surgery:

Day 1

Stand using a walking aid

Day 2

Leave hospital

1 week

Walk with a walking aid

4–6 weeks

May be able to drive

6 weeks

Walk without crutches

3 months–1 year

No more pain and swelling

2 years

Full recovery

  • Day 1


    Stand using a walking aid

  • Day 2


    Leave hospital

  • 1 week


    Walk with a walking aid

  • 4–6 weeks


    May be able to drive

  • 6 weeks


    Walk without crutches

  • 3 months–1 year


    No more pain and swelling

  • 2 years


    Full recovery

Areas served

At Spire Cardiff Hospital, we provide some of the latest surgical techniques for patients in South Wales, including Newport, Bridgend, Blackwood, Herefordshire and other nearby locations.

Choose your Cardiff-based consultant today to arrange your first appointment in our clean, modern facility.

You can learn more about the knee replacement procedure on our main knee replacement page.

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.

How to get to us

We're a 15 minute taxi ride from Cardiff Central railway station.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Cardiff Hospital,

Croescadarn Road
Pontprennau
Cardiff
CF23 8XL

Get in touch

Important information about COVID-19 tests

COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service at Spire Cardiff Hospital.

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We may contact you by email, SMS or phone about your enquiry. If we try to contact you by phone (mobile and/or landline) and you are not available, we may leave you a voicemail message. We may also use your details to contact you about patient surveys we use for improving our service or monitoring outcomes, which are not a form of marketing.


Submit my enquiry

http://www.boa.ac.uk/patient-information/expectations-of-an-orthopaedic-patient-preferring-private-treatment/ 

http://www.boa.ac.uk/patient-information/expectations-elective-orthopaedic-patients-revised-may-2014/ 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement/about/pac-20385276 

https://www.medicinenet.com/total_knee_replacement/article.htm 

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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-replacement/what-happens/ 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-replacement/risks/ 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-replacement/recovery/ 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-types-of-knee-implants

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https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/surgery/knee-replacement.aspx 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/patient-reported-outcome-measures-proms/finalised-patient-reported-outcome-measures-proms-in-england-april-2015-to-march-2016 

https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/osteoarthritis#path=view%3A/pathways/osteoarthritis/management-of-osteoarthritis.xml&content=view-index 

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg177/chapter/1-Recommendations#diagnosis-2 

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs87/chapter/Quality-statements

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs87/chapter/Quality-statement-1-Diagnosis 

How to get to us

We're a 15 minute taxi ride from Cardiff Central railway station.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Cardiff Hospital,

Croescadarn Road
Pontprennau
Cardiff
CF23 8XL