Joint replacement surgery is considered very safe for most patients when planned properly and performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Worldwide, knee and hip replacements have success rates around 95–98%, and most implants last 15–20 years or more when patients follow medical and physiotherapy advice.
What Is Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery (also called arthroplasty) is a procedure where a damaged joint surface is removed and replaced with an artificial implant made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.
In orthopedics, the most common procedures are:
- Knee replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
The goal is simple: reduce pain, improve movement, and help you return to daily activities when medicines, injections, and physiotherapy are no longer enough.
Is Joint Replacement Surgery Safe?
For most patients, joint replacement surgery is a safe and well‑established treatment. It is one of the most successful orthopedic operations worldwide.
- Global data show knee replacement success rates around 95–97%.
- Hip replacement success rates are similarly high, about 95–98%.
- Serious complications such as deep infection occur in less than 1–2% of patients in modern centers.
Advances like robotic‑assisted surgery, minimally invasive techniques, better anesthesia, and improved implants have further increased safety and accuracy.
Possible Risks and Complications
No surgery is completely risk‑free, and patients should know the possible complications. The good news is that serious problems are uncommon and often preventable.
Important risks include:
- Infection – Deep joint infection occurs in about 0.5–1% of cases.
- Blood clots (DVT/PE) – Clots in the legs or lungs can occur after any major surgery, but blood thinners, early walking, and compression devices greatly reduce this risk.
- Stiffness or limited movement – Sometimes scar tissue forms and limits bending; physiotherapy usually helps.
- Implant wear or loosening – Over many years, the artificial joint can wear out and may need revision surgery.
In elderly patients, short‑term issues like confusion, heart problems, or longer hospital stay are slightly more common, but overall function and pain relief still improve significantly after knee replacement.
Recovery Timeline After Joint Replacement
Recovery is a step‑by‑step process and can vary from person to person, but a typical pattern is:
- Hospital stay: usually a few days, depending on age, health, and type of surgery.
- Walking with support: many patients stand and walk with a walker or stick within 24–48 hours under supervision.
- Stitches removal: usually around 10–14 days after surgery.
- Back to routine activities: light household or desk work often resumes in 4–6 weeks, as advised by the surgeon.
- Full recovery: most patients see major improvement in strength and flexibility within 3–6 months, with continued gains up to a year.
Knee vs Hip Replacement – Outcome Overview
| Factor | Knee Replacement | Hip Replacement |
| Overall success rate | Around 95–97% in modern series | About 95–98% success across India and globally |
| Pain relief & mobility | Marked reduction in arthritis pain; better walking, climbing stairs for most patients | Significant pain relief and smoother hip movement; over 90% report better quality of life |
| Implant life | Most implants last 15–20 years or more with proper care | Many artificial hips last 15–20+ years, especially with modern materials |
If you are considering knee replacement surgery in Indore or hip replacement surgery and want clear, personalised advice, you can book a consultation with Dr. Tarkit Modi, a leading orthopedic doctor in Indore, to understand whether joint replacement is the right and safe option for you.
FAQs
1. Is joint replacement surgery risky?
Joint replacement is considered low‑risk for most patients when done by an experienced surgeon in a good hospital. Complications like infection or blood clots are uncommon, usually affecting less than 1–2% of patients, and hospitals use strong protocols to prevent and treat them.
2. What is the success rate of knee and hip replacement?
Both knee and hip replacements have high success rates, usually around 95–98% in the first years after surgery. Most patients experience major pain relief, better walking, and improved daily function, with many implants lasting 15–20 years or longer.
3. How long does recovery take after joint replacement?
Patients usually walk with support within 1–2 days, resume light activities in 4–6 weeks, and reach near‑full recovery in about 3–6 months. Complete strengthening and flexibility can continue improving for up to one year, depending on age and physiotherapy.
4. What are the common complications after joint replacement?
Possible complications include infection, blood clots, stiffness, and implant loosening over many years. These problems are rare, and most can be reduced with proper antibiotics, blood thinners, early mobilisation, and regular follow‑up with your orthopedic doctor.
5. Is knee replacement safe for elderly patients?
Yes. Studies show knee replacement is generally safe and effective even in patients over 70, though hospital stay and minor complications may be slightly higher. Most elderly patients still gain significant pain relief and better function after surgery.
6. How long does an artificial joint last?
Most modern knee and hip implants last 15–20 years, and many last even longer with good care. Around 90–95% of knee replacements are still working well at 10–15 years, and hip implants show similar long‑term survival rates in large studies.