Private Total Knee Replacement in Birmingham
End chronic knee arthritis pain with a precision-fitted total knee replacement. Mr Shakir Hussain offers rapid access to surgery, multi-modal pain relief, and advanced robotic accuracy to get you back to the activities you love, for patients across Birmingham, Solihull, and the wider West Midlands. All-inclusive private packages from £14,050.
Total procedures
Verified patient reviews
MAKO, ROSA and CORI robotic
Medically reviewed by Mr Shakir Hussain, MBBS MRCS FRCSEd (Tr & Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next review due: July 2029
In Short
Total knee replacement replaces the worn surfaces of an arthritic knee with metal and plastic implants to relieve pain and restore movement. The operation takes 1 to 2 hours, most patients walk the same day and go home within 1 to 3 days, and National Joint Registry data show more than 90 percent of implants still functioning at 15 years. Mr Shakir Hussain performs conventional and robotic-assisted total knee replacement privately in Birmingham from £14,050 as an all-inclusive package.
Also known as: total knee arthroplasty (TKA), TKR. This page covers the standard procedure in detail; for an overview of every option, see the main knee replacement guide.
Where Does Mr Hussain See Patients?
Mr Hussain sees private patients at three Birmingham hospitals: the Woodlands Suite at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Priory Hospital Edgbaston (Circle Health Group), and Harborne Hospital (HCA Healthcare). The surgeon and the standard of care are the same at each; choose whichever location suits you best.
The Procedure
What Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
Total knee replacement, also called total knee arthroplasty or TKA, is a surgical procedure that replaces the worn surfaces of the knee joint with artificial components. The procedure addresses all three compartments of the knee: the medial (inner), lateral (outer), and patellofemoral (front) compartments.
It is the most established treatment for end-stage knee arthritis. Over 100,000 total knee replacements are performed in the UK each year, and the National Joint Registry (NJR) reports 15-year implant survival rates above 90 percent.
Who is total knee replacement for?
Total knee replacement is recommended for patients with severe knee arthritis or other joint-destroying conditions affecting most of the knee. The main indications are:
- Osteoarthritis affecting two or more knee compartments
- Rheumatoid arthritis with significant joint destruction
- Post-traumatic arthritis following fracture or ligament injury
- Severe knee deformity (varus or valgus) that cannot be corrected by other means
- Persistent severe pain and functional loss despite non-surgical treatment
Not sure whether surgery is your next step? Start with our guide to knee arthritis treatment in Birmingham.
Regain your independence
Living with severe knee arthritis restricts your freedom. A total knee replacement resurfaces the damaged joint to provide:
- Significant, long-term pain relief
- Restored mobility for walking, stairs, and driving
- A return to low-impact sports like golf, cycling, and swimming
- Improved sleep, free from night-time joint aching
Patient X-rays
Total Knee Replacement: Before and After images
A case treated by Mr Hussain: severe tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis (left) restored with a total knee replacement (right), realigning the joint and resurfacing all three compartments. Individual results vary.
Treatment Options
Conventional or Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacement?
Mr Hussain offers both conventional total knee replacement and robotic-assisted total knee replacement. The right choice depends on your anatomy, bone quality, deformity, and personal preferences discussed at consultation.
Conventional Technique
Uses mechanical alignment guides and the surgeon's direct measurements. Well-established with an excellent long-term track record. Suitable for most patients.
Robotic-Assisted (MAKO)
CT-based 3D planning with haptic robotic arm guidance for precise bone cuts. Particularly valuable in knees with significant deformity or complex anatomy. Mr Hussain holds full MAKO certification.
Imageless Robotic (ROSA / CORI)
ROSA and CORI systems use optical or accelerometer tracking without a pre-operative CT scan. Fast setup and high precision. Available at all three of Mr Hussain's practice sites.
For a detailed comparison of robotic platforms, see Robotic Knee Replacement, MAKO Knee Replacement, ROSA Knee Replacement, and CORI Knee Replacement.
Your Operation: Planning, Surgery and Your Implant
Three parts of the process, each one opened only if you want it. Tap a row to read more.
Before Surgery
How do you prepare for a total knee replacement?
Pre-assessment, prehab exercises for the quadriceps, a medication review, and getting your home ready.
Preparation makes a measurable difference to how quickly a knee recovers, and most of it happens in the weeks before you come in.
- Consultation and imaging, including weight-bearing x-rays and, where the MAKO system is used, a CT scan to build the robotic plan
- Prehab, strengthening the quadriceps before surgery. A stronger thigh muscle going in means a faster return to walking coming out
- Pre-assessment clinic, covering blood tests, ECG where appropriate, MRSA screening and a review with your anaesthetist
- Medication review, including when to stop blood thinners and anti-inflammatories
- Optimising your health beforehand, such as stopping smoking, treating anaemia, a dental check and diabetes control
- Preparing your home, clearing trip hazards, putting everyday items within reach, and arranging a lift home and help for the first fortnight
In Theatre
What happens during a total knee replacement?
Usually 1 to 2 hours. All three compartments resurfaced, the ligaments balanced, and the implant cemented into place.
- Anaesthetic is given, spinal or general, usually with a nerve block or local infiltration for pain relief, and antibiotics are given before the first cut
- An incision is made at the front of the knee to expose the joint
- The worn surfaces are removed from the end of the thigh bone and the top of the shin bone, guided either by conventional alignment instruments or by the robotic plan
- Trial components are fitted and the ligaments are balanced, so the knee is stable and tracks correctly through its full range
- The definitive implants are fitted, normally secured with bone cement
- A plastic bearing is inserted between them to give a smooth gliding surface
- The back of the kneecap is resurfaced where it is worn
- The wound is closed and a padded dressing applied, and you go through to recovery
Your Implant
What kind of knee replacement will I have?
Not all knee replacements are the same. The bearing, the ligament balance and whether the kneecap is resurfaced are all decisions made for your knee.
Patients are rarely told what is actually going into the knee. These are the choices Mr Hussain makes, and why.
- Cruciate-retaining or posterior-stabilised. If your posterior cruciate ligament is healthy it can be kept, which preserves some natural feel. Where it is damaged or the deformity is severe, a posterior-stabilised design takes over its job.
- Fixed or mobile bearing. A fixed bearing is the long-established standard. A mobile bearing allows the plastic to rotate slightly and may suit some patients.
- Cemented or cementless fixation. Cement is the standard for knees and gives immediate stability. Cementless designs rely on bone growing into the surface and are used selectively.
- Whether the kneecap is resurfaced. Resurfaced when the joint surface behind the kneecap is worn, left alone when it is healthy.
- Size and alignment. Robotic planning matches the implant to your anatomy rather than to an average knee.
The right combination is decided with you at consultation, and confirmed once the knee is opened and the ligaments assessed.
Recovery
Recovery After Total Knee Replacement: What to Expect
Most patients begin walking with a physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The expected recovery milestones are:
- Day 1 after surgery: walking with a frame or crutches, starting physiotherapy
- Days 2 to 3: most patients go home with a walking aid and an exercise programme
- Week 2 to 4: wound healed, increasing walking distance, stairs with a rail
- Week 6: most patients stop using a walking aid, driving assessment at this point
- 3 months: most patients return to sedentary and light activity work
- 6 to 12 months: maximum function achieved, low-impact sports and recreation
Physiotherapy is central to recovery. Mr Hussain's team provides a structured exercise programme beginning on day 1 and continuing through outpatient appointments at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months.
Safety
Risks of Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine, and serious complications are uncommon. As with any major surgery there are risks, which Mr Hussain discusses fully with you before you decide to proceed:
- Infection (uncommon; reduced by sterile technique, antibiotics, and careful preparation)
- Blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (reduced by early mobilisation and clot-prevention measures)
- Bleeding, or injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels (rare)
- Stiffness, or ongoing pain or swelling in a small number of patients
- Wear or loosening of the implant over many years, which can eventually require revision surgery
These risks are kept low by careful patient selection, robotic-assisted accuracy, blood-conservation techniques, clot prevention, and Mr Hussain's enhanced recovery protocol. In the small proportion of cases where an implant eventually wears or loosens, knee revision surgery can renew the worn components.
How Much Does Total Knee Replacement Cost in Birmingham?
Mr Hussain's all-inclusive private total knee replacement package starts from £14,050, covering the surgeon's fee, the anaesthetist, the implant, your hospital stay and routine follow-up. All major private medical insurers are accepted.
Self-Pay
Paying for yourself
A fixed all-inclusive quotation after your consultation, with any robotic surcharge set out up front.
You receive a fixed, all-inclusive quotation once the knee has been examined and imaged at your consultation, so the figure you are given is the figure you pay. Robotic-assisted surgery carries a surcharge, which is set out clearly in that quotation rather than added later.
Full details for self-pay patients are on the fees and insurance page.
Insured Patients
Using health insurance
Covered by all major insurers, with pre-authorisation arranged before you book.
Total knee replacement is covered by all major private medical insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and Cigna. Insured patients are welcome, and most policies cover the procedure in full once treatment has been authorised.
Our guide to insurance pre-authorisation for hip and knee surgery explains how to get your treatment approved before you book.
Mr Hussain's Experience
Why Choose Mr Hussain for Total Knee Replacement in Birmingham?
Mr Shakir Hussain is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, holding FRCSEd (Tr & Orth) and one of the UK's highest-volume hip and knee arthroplasty practices. He was awarded the British Hip Society Travelling Fellowship at ENDO-Klinik Hamburg, a world-leading centre for joint replacement, and his results are tracked against National Joint Registry benchmarks; you can review his published total knee replacement outcomes in detail.
He has been recognised with the Doctify Outstanding Patient Experience Award for three consecutive years (2024, 2025, and 2026), reflecting consistently outstanding feedback from the patients he treats. Read what they say in his verified patient reviews, or learn more about Mr Hussain.
- One of the UK's highest-volume knee and hip replacement surgeons
- Robotic triple-certification (MAKO, ROSA, and CORI) for total knee replacement
- Outcomes benchmarked against the National Joint Registry
- Three premium Birmingham locations: Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Priory Edgbaston, and Harborne
- Doctify Outstanding Patient Experience Award, three years running
Key Takeaways
Total Knee Replacement at a Glance
- Total knee replacement resurfaces all three compartments of the knee and is the most reliable option when arthritis affects the whole joint.
- Robotic assistance is available for greater implant accuracy; Mr Hussain is certified on all three leading platforms (MAKO, ROSA, and CORI).
- Most patients walk the same day, go home within 1 to 3 nights (day-case is possible for selected patients), and drive at around 6 weeks.
- NJR data show over 93% of total knee replacements still functioning at 15 years, and many last 20 years or more.
- All-inclusive packages from £14,050; all major private medical insurers accepted.
Your Questions Answered
Total Knee Replacement: Frequently Asked Questions
References and further reading
- NHS. Knee replacement. nhs.uk/conditions/knee-replacement
- National Joint Registry (NJR). Annual reports and implant performance data. njrcentre.org.uk
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder, NG157. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng157
- Evans JT, Walker RW, Evans JP, Blom AW, Sayers A, Whitehouse MR. How long does a knee replacement last? The Lancet, 2019. thelancet.com
Medically reviewed by Mr Shakir Hussain, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Last reviewed: July 2026. Next review due: July 2029.
Ready to Discuss Your Total Knee Replacement?
Book a private consultation with Mr Hussain at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Priory Hospital Edgbaston, or Harborne Hospital.