How Long Does a Knee Replacement Last?
Knee replacement is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures, with most people experiencing significant pain relief and improved daily function after recovery. If you are planning surgery, two questions usually come first: how long does a knee replacement last, and how long does knee replacement surgery take.
This guide breaks down the answers in plain language, along with a simple timeline of what to expect before, during, and after the knee replacement procedure.
This blog explains how long a knee implant typically lasts and the factors that can influence its lifespan, including daily activity levels, overall health, and post-surgery care. It also outlines the typical duration of knee replacement surgery, providing a clear overview of the complete day-of-surgery timeline, from preparation to recovery helping you understand how mobility, strength, and comfort improve over time.
How long does a knee replacement last?
For many patients, a modern knee implant lasts at least 10 to 15 years, and often longer. In long-term follow-ups, a large portion of knee replacements continue to perform well at the 20-year mark.
How long do knee replacements last in real life?
Your outcome depends on a few practical factors:
- Your age at the time of surgery
- Body weight and activity level
- Bone quality and alignment
- Implant type and fixation method
- Rehabilitation consistency and muscle strength
- Medical factors like diabetes, smoking, and inflammatory arthritis
The implant is designed to handle daily life, not repeated high-impact stress. The goal is a stable, pain-free knee that supports walking, climbing stairs, traveling, and fitness routines that do not involve pounding or twisting.
How long does a titanium knee replacement last
Titanium knee replacement is known for its strength and biocompatibility. In practice, implant longevity depends less on the metal and more on:
- Implant design and sizing
- Positioning and ligament balance during surgery
- The plastic bearing surface and how it wears over time
- Your activity choices and body mechanics
A titanium-based implant can still last 15 to 20 years or more in the right situation, but “titanium” alone is not a guarantee of longevity. Precision, alignment, and aftercare matter more.
How long is knee replacement surgery
In most cases, knee replacement surgery time falls between 1 and 3 hours. The exact answer to how long does a knee replacement surgery takes depends on whether you are having a partial, total, or revision procedure.
Surgery time by procedure type
- Partial knee replacement: often 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Total knee replacement: usually about 2 hours (often 1 to 2 hours in many centers)
- Revision knee replacement: commonly up to 3 hours due to added complexity
The procedure may take a couple of hours, but your hospital timeline includes prep, anesthesia, recovery monitoring, and early mobilization.
Your full knee replacement surgery timeline
Even if you only want the direct answer to how long does knee surgery take, it helps to see the whole day.
Phase | What happens | Typical time |
Pre-op preparation | Check-in, consent, IV, marking the surgical site, anesthesia plan | 1 to 2 hours |
Operating room | Positioning, sterile prep, and surgery itself | 1 to 3 hours |
Recovery room | Monitoring as anesthesia wears off, pain control, and vitals checks | 1 to 2 hours |
Early mobilization | Standing, short walk, beginning guided movement when appropriate | Same day in many cases |
Discharge plan | Home same day for many patients, or overnight stay if needed | Varies |
What happens during the knee replacement procedure?
While techniques vary, the total knee arthroplasty procedure usually includes these core steps:
- An incision is made over the knee
- Damaged cartilage and worn bone surfaces are removed while preserving healthy bone where possible
- The bone ends are shaped to fit the implant
- Implant components (metal and plastic parts) are positioned and secured (often with cement or other fixation based on your case)
- The knee is tested for movement, stability, and alignment
- The incision is closed and dressed
Anesthesia may be spinal (numbing the lower body) or general, depending on your medical profile and the surgical plan.
How long does a total knee replacement last, and why do some fail earlier?
Many implants last more than 15 to 20 years or longer. Some wear out sooner, most often due to mechanical stress or complications.
What can shorten the implant lifespan
Factor | Why it matters | What helps |
High-impact activities | Speeds up the wear of the plastic insert | Choose low-impact fitness |
Excess weight | Increases joint load with every step | Weight management plan |
Poor muscle support | A weak quad and hip chain shifts stress to the implant | Consistent rehabilitation and strengthening |
Alignment issues | Uneven forces can increase wear | Accurate sizing, positioning, and follow-up |
Infection | Can damage the joint and require revision | Good surgical protocols and early reporting of symptoms |
Skipping rehabilitation | Limits motion, strength, and stability | Structured PT and home program |
What to expect after surgery: Recovery milestones that matter
Even if you only want the direct answer to how long does knee surgery take, it helps to see the whole day.
Phase | What happens | Typical time |
Pre-op preparation | Check-in, consent, IV, marking the surgical site, anesthesia plan | 1 to 2 hours |
Operating room | Positioning, sterile prep, and surgery itself | 1 to 3 hours |
Recovery room | Monitoring as anesthesia wears off, pain control, and vitals checks | 1 to 2 hours |
Early mobilization | Standing, short walk, beginning guided movement when appropriate | Same day in many cases |
Discharge plan | Home same day for many patients, or overnight stay if needed | Varies |
When should you worry about a knee replacement wearing out?
A knee implant does not “expire” overnight. Problems usually build gradually. Call your orthopedic surgeon if you notice:
- New or increasing pain after a stable period
- Swelling that keeps returning
- Instability, buckling, or a sense the knee is shifting
- Reduced range of motion that worsens over time
- Redness, warmth, fever, or wound drainage (urgent evaluation is important)
Early assessment can prevent small issues from becoming major ones.
Why do patients trust Dr. Hesham for knee replacement planning and long-term results?
If you are weighing options in Dubai or Bahrain, the surgeon’s experience and precision can influence both comfort and implant longevity.
- Consultant knee surgeon with global training: Advanced training across leading centers, including the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, plus fellowships in adult reconstruction and complex joint care.
- Knee replacement expertise, from primary to complex cases: Experience in both routine cases and revision-level decision-making.
- Modern technology focus: Use of advanced techniques, including robotics and custom-made implants when appropriate, to support accurate alignment and more natural movement patterns.
- Personalized planning: A tailored approach based on your anatomy, lifestyle, and daily movement goals.
- Care access in Dubai and Bahrain: Clinics at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah and Emirates Specialty Hospital in Dubai, plus established locations in Bahrain.
A knee replacement can last decades with the right plan
If chronic knee pain is limiting your ability to walk, sleep, work, or enjoy your quality of life, knee replacement can be a turning point.
The operation itself typically lasts 1 to 3 hours, but long-term success depends on precise surgical planning, steady rehabilitation, and informed activity choices. With the right approach, many patients can expect strong function for 15 to 20 years or more.
If you want a clear, personalized answer to how long does a knee replacement last in your case, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb to review imaging, implant options, surgical approach, and a recovery plan designed around your real life.
FAQs
Most procedures take 1 to 3 hours, depending on whether they are partial, total, or revision surgeries.
A total knee replacement typically takes about 2 hours, although it can be shorter or longer depending on the complexity.
Many implants last 15 to 20 years or longer. A commonly cited benchmark is that approximately 85% can last 20 years with proper care.
They can still last many years, but higher activity levels can increase wear. Longevity is often improved with low-impact exercise and weight management.
Titanium implants can last 15 to 20 years or more, but their longevity depends more on proper alignment, rehabilitation, and activity choices than on the metal alone.
Plan for a total of several hours, including pre-operative preparation and post-operative recovery monitoring. Many patients are discharged the same day, while others require an overnight stay.
A partial knee replacement is often completed in 45 minutes to 1 hour, with a shorter overall recovery for many patients.
Revision surgery can take up to 3 hours because it may involve removing old components and rebuilding bone support.
Many total knee replacements last 15 to 20 years or longer. An earlier revision is typically associated with wear, instability, infection, or loosening.