What Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery? (Arthroplasty)
Total knee replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, replaces a worn or damaged knee joint with an artificial implant to restore movement and ease pain. This type of knee surgery is typically considered when arthritis or injury has caused significant joint damage and other treatments are no longer effective.
The procedure is done under general or spinal anaesthesia. Your knee surgeon will remove the damaged joint surfaces and fit a prosthesis made of metal and medical‑grade plastic, designed to work much like your natural knee.
Total Knee Replacement in Singapore: What’s Involved and Who Needs It?
Total knee replacement is typically recommended for people whose knee damage severely limits mobility and quality of life.
Who Needs Total Knee Replacement?
You may benefit from a total knee replacement if you:
- Have advanced arthritis (osteoarthritis) or severe knee injury causing persistent pain or loss of movement.
- Experience stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility that limits daily activities.
- Find that pain disrupts your sleep or prevents you from enjoying your usual routines.
- Have tried medication, physiotherapy, or injections without improvement.
In the early stages, non‑surgical options such as medication, physiotherapy, and activity modifications can help. But when these no longer provide adequate relief — and pain affects your mobility or quality of life — total knee replacement may be the next step.
Total Knee Replacement: Procedure Overview
Here’s how a total knee replacement in Singapore typically goes:
- You’ll receive either general anaesthesia (to put you to sleep) or spinal anaesthesia (to numb you from the waist down).
- Your knee surgeon makes an incision at the front of your knee to reach the joint.
- The damaged cartilage and a thin layer of bone are removed from the ends of the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia).
- The exposed bone surfaces are shaped precisely to fit the artificial components.
- A metal component is fixed to the femur, and another to the tibia.
- A medical‑grade plastic insert is placed between them to act as a cushioning surface.
- In some cases, the underside of the kneecap (patella) is resurfaced with a plastic component.
- The incision is closed, and a dressing or bandage is applied to protect the knee during initial healing.
Total Knee Replacement: Expected Outcomes
After a total knee replacement, most patients can expect:
- Reduced knee pain, especially during movement or weight‑bearing.
- Improved mobility and joint stability.
- Greater ability to carry out daily activities, such as walking, standing, and climbing stairs.
- Straighter leg alignment if deformity was present before surgery.
How Does Arthroplasty Help You?
Arthroplasty (total knee replacement surgery) can help by:
- Restoring normal alignment of the lower limbs.
- Relieving persistent knee pain that affects daily activities.
- Improving joint stability and mobility, making movement easier.
- Enhancing overall function, so you can walk, climb stairs, and move with greater comfort.
- Supporting long‑term mobility (20 years or more).
For many patients in Singapore, knee replacement surgery offers a chance to participate in everyday routines with confidence again.
Comparing Knee Replacement Surgery Options in Singapore: Total vs Partial
Both total and partial knee replacement aim to reduce pain and improve mobility, but they differ in how much of the knee joint is replaced. The right option for you will depend on the extent of joint damage, your overall knee health, and your lifestyle needs.
Total Knee Replacement
What It Involves
A total knee replacement surgery replaces all the main joint surfaces — the end of the thigh bone (femur), the top of the shin bone (tibia), and sometimes the underside of the kneecap (patella).
When It’s Recommended
For patients with:
- Advanced arthritis affecting multiple compartments of the knee
- Severe joint degeneration
- Significant deformity or instability across the whole knee
Benefits
A total knee replacement addresses damage across the entire joint, restoring alignment and improving stability and function.
Considerations
It involves more extensive surgery and recovery compared to partial replacement, but may offer longer‑lasting results when the whole joint is compromised.
Partial Knee Replacement Singapore
What It Involves
A partial knee replacement surgery replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee — usually the inner (medial) or outer (lateral) section — leaving healthy structures intact.
When It’s Recommended
For patients with:
- Arthritis or damage limited to one compartment
- Stable ligaments and healthy remaining cartilage
- No significant deformity in the rest of the knee
Benefits
A partial knee replacement preserves more of your natural bone and ligaments, can feel more like a natural knee, and often involves a smaller incision.
Considerations
It may not be suitable if arthritis affects more than one compartment or if there is widespread damage, and long‑term durability can vary depending on activity levels.
3D Technology for Total Knee Replacement
3D printing technology, once used mainly in manufacturing, is now used in total knee replacement surgery in Singapore. Before surgery, you’ll undergo a pre‑operative CT scan of your lower limb. This captures detailed data about your knee and helps determine the ideal implant size and alignment.
A 3D printer then produces Patient Specific Instruments (PSI) designed to match your unique knee anatomy. After sterilisation, these guides fit precisely over your bone surfaces, helping your knee surgeon position the implant accurately and efficiently.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic‑assisted technology is another tool available for knee replacement surgery in Singapore. In some cases, a semi‑automated robotic arm may be used to assist the surgeon in performing a total knee replacement or partial knee replacement surgery.
Before the procedure, you will typically have a pre‑operative CT scan of your lower limb. This scan provides detailed measurements, which are entered into a computer system.
During surgery, this information is combined with your real‑time anatomical landmarks in the operating theatre. Guided by this data, your knee surgeon can use the robotic arm to help position and fit the implant. The system includes safeguards designed to reduce the likelihood of contact with surrounding nerves and blood vessels.
This technology can be beneficial, particularly for:
- Younger active patients where precision in bone cuts, soft tissue balancing and restoration of normal alignment of lower limb may yield better patient satisfaction and improve implant longevity.
- Patients with a previous injury that caused deformity in the lower limb
- Patients with unusual anatomy, such as significant bowing of the thigh bone
With no instruments placed inside the bone’s medullary cavity, robotic surgery may reduce blood loss and complication risks.
Post-Op Care After Knee Replacement in Singapore: Tips for Recovery
Soon after your knee replacement, your doctor may recommend gentle, guided activities to support healing and restore movement.
Start gentle movement early to keep your joints flexible.
Follow your post-knee replacement care plan and complete the prescribed exercises to build strength and mobility.
If recommended by your care team, use a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine to maintain your range of motion while resting.
Take pain‑relief medication as prescribed to make moving and exercising easier.
Increase the amount of weight you place on your knee gradually, following your therapist’s guidance.
Continue physiotherapy sessions at home or in a rehabilitation centre.
Attend all your follow‑up appointments so your care team can monitor your recovery and address concerns early.
The Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery in Singapore: What to Expect
The average cost of a knee replacement surgery in Singapore is $48,746. According to benchmarks set by the Ministry of Health (MOH), can range between $43,473 and $56,704, inclusive of GST. It varies according to several factors:
Type of Implant Material
Common options include medical‑grade metals like titanium or cobalt‑chromium alloys. Sometimes these are combined with ceramised metal or high‑grade plastics.
Type of Procedure
Total or partial knee replacement, as well as whether robotic‑assisted surgery is used.
Hospital Charges
Room type, length of stay, and facility fees.
Surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, and other specialist costs.
Total or partial knee replacement, as well as whether robotic‑assisted surgery is used.
You may be able to offset part of your knee replacement surgery cost using MediSave, MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans, or private health insurance, depending on your coverage. Your healthcare provider can give you a personalised estimate based on your condition and treatment plan.
Before Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee surgery is often needed for arthritis, severe injuries, or joint deformities.
Recovery varies, but expect 6-12 weeks for basic activities and several months for full recovery.
Total knee replacement surgery may carry risks like infection, implant issues, and limited mobility.
It reduces pain and improves knee function, leading to a better quality of life.
The cost of knee replacement surgery in Singapore can be offset with MediSave, MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans, and private insurance, depending on your coverage.
When imaging confirms significant joint damage and non‑surgical treatments have failed, a surgeon may recommend knee surgery.
Knee replacement surgery can relieve chronic pain, restore joint mobility, and improve overall joint function.
You can use MediSave, insurance, or hospital instalment plans to cover the cost of your knee replacement surgery.
A total knee replacement replaces all knee joint surfaces; a partial replaces only the damaged section.
Early recovery focuses on pain management and mobility. Later stages involve strengthening and regaining function. Full recovery takes months.
A knee surgeon monitors healing, adjusts treatment and guides a patient’s rehab.
