Private knee replacement Harpenden

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

Enquire about this treatment Find a consultant

01582 714 420

0800 585 112

At Spire Harpenden Hospital, we use many of the latest knee replacement techniques and innovations and personalised aftercare to help you get the most from your knee replacement.

During a knee replacement operation, your consultant will remove damaged parts of your knee and replace them with an artificial joint to relieve pain and stiffness.

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
    2–5 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 diagnostic tests and scans
  • Wide range of treatments offered
  • Clear pricing with no hidden charges
  • Rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission

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 Harpenden Hospital

At Spire Harpenden Hospital, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive private knee replacement services and high standards of customer service for our patients in Hertfordshire. Our dedicated nurses and physiotherapists will provide expert aftercare to help you get the most from your operation. They’ll provide you with a treatment and recovery plan that’s personalised to you and your needs.

How to book

Choose Spire Harpenden Hospital if you live in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, or Hertfordshire, including Harpenden and St Albans.

To book a consultation, complete the enquiry form or call 01582 763 191.

How much does Knee replacement cost at Spire Harpenden 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 We can't display the initial consultation fee just now. Call us for a quote.
Treatment price £15,525
Aftercare Included
From price From £15,525
Monthly treatment price

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

£358
Representative example
Loan amount £14,275
Deposit £1,250
Loan period 48 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £17,184

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 Harpenden 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 Harpenden Hospital

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

Some of our consultants use 3D models of your knee, which are created using computer-assisted technology, to help guide them during your operation.

Preparing for knee replacement at Spire Harpenden Hospital

Getting here

Spire Harpenden Hospital is in Hertfordshire, close to the M1 and A1 and just five minutes from Harpenden train station. As well as the train, other public transport options are available. Free on-site parking is also available for patients and visitors, making getting here even easier.

Your consultations

For your appointments, you’ll meet your consultant in one of our 26 consultation rooms. All of our rooms are accessible, making things easier if you find walking difficult prior to knee replacement.

Our dedicated orthopaedic consultants specialise in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) conditions. Here’s what will happen before your treatment:

  • If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, your consultant may recommend our advanced scanning, imaging and diagnostic technologies to look at your knee and help them understand the cause of your pain or mobility problems
  • Once you’ve been diagnosed or if you have a referral, your consultant will then discuss treatment options with you
  • Before recommending a knee replacement, they may suggest hydrocortisone joint injections or knee arthroscopy first

Your consultations give you an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your expectations, needs and desires. Your consultant will then be able to outline a treatment and care plan that’s tailored to you.

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 your room while you have your operation.

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

Anaesthetic options

You’ll probably have a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be completely asleep. However, sometimes it’s preferable or necessary to have an epidural (spinal) anaesthetic, where you’re numb from the waist down. If so, your anaesthetist can give you sedatives to help you relax during the operation.

Visit our knee replacement 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 hours. You’ll start your recovery at Spire Harpenden Hospital, staying with us for two to five days.

Q & A

Winston Kim, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Talking about knee replacement surgery

Knee replacement surgery: your recovery

After surgery, you’ll begin recovery in one of 26 bedrooms. Your private room will include:

  • En-suite bathroom
  • Side table
  • Table over bed
  • Telephone
  • TV
  • Window

Our nursing team will give you pain relief to help you feel comfortable and will be around to make sure you have everything 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

2–5 days

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

  • 2–5 days


    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 Harpenden Hospital, we serve Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire, including Bedford, St Albans, Luton and other local areas.

Choose your private knee replacement consultant today and arrange your first appointment in our modern facility.

You can learn more about our knee replacement treatment, including step-by-step surgery details, 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 have excellent road links to the M1 and A1(M), and are five minutes from Harpenden train station.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Harpenden Hospital,

Ambrose Lane
Harpenden
Hertfordshire
AL5 4BP

Get in touch

Important information about COVID-19 tests

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

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