Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Görkem Kıyak
OrthopedicsVerified
- 21+years exp.
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Joint Replacement
Unilateral knee arthroplasty
What unilateral knee arthroplasty means, how replacing one knee differs from replacing both, when a partial or total implant is chosen, what the operation involves, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, a week-by-week recovery outline, risks and how to check a hospital.
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Unilateral knee arthroplasty: what it is and how it works
Unilateral knee arthroplasty means a knee replacement on one side only, as opposed to a bilateral operation on both knees. The word arthroplasty simply means reshaping or replacing a joint. In most unilateral cases the surgeon performs a total knee replacement: the worn ends of the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) are trimmed, and metal components with a plastic spacer between them take over the job of the damaged cartilage. The underside of the kneecap may also be resurfaced. When only one compartment of the knee is damaged, the surgeon may instead fit a partial implant on that one side.
The term is used mostly in medical records and in quotes from hospitals, so patients searching for it usually want to know three things: what is actually done, whether one knee should be done first, and how it compares with doing both at once. This guide answers those questions and gives approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany. For the broader field see our orthopedics treatments in Turkey.
When is a knee replacement needed, and when can it wait?
Surgeons recommend a knee replacement when arthritis, most often osteoarthritis, causes pain and stiffness that limit walking, stairs, sleep or work, and when treatments such as physiotherapy, weight loss, walking aids, painkillers and injections no longer help. X-rays usually show narrowed joint space and bone changes. The NHS advises that surgery is considered when other treatments have not been enough, not simply because the X-ray looks poor. If your pain is mild or comes and goes, delaying is reasonable. If you cannot walk far or sleep, waiting for long periods can leave you weaker and heavier, which makes recovery harder.
One knee or both: unilateral or bilateral replacement?
Many people have arthritis in both knees but one is clearly worse. The usual advice is to replace the worse knee first and decide about the other later. Doing both knees in the same operation (simultaneous bilateral replacement) is possible in selected, fit patients, and it avoids a second trip and second anaesthetic. The downside is a heavier load on the heart and lungs, more blood loss and a harder first few weeks because neither leg can carry full weight.
| Approach | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral (one knee) | One knee clearly worse, or any patient with other health conditions | The other knee may need surgery later |
| Staged bilateral (two operations, months apart) | Both knees painful, but recovery is wanted one leg at a time | Two admissions and two periods of recovery |
| Simultaneous bilateral (both at once) | Younger, fit patients with both knees badly affected | Higher physical stress; fewer surgeons recommend it |
If you are travelling from abroad, simultaneous surgery can look attractive because it needs only one trip, but safety should decide, not convenience. A surgeon and anaesthetist should check your heart, lungs and blood before agreeing to it.
Is it a total or a partial replacement?
The name does not tell you which implant is used. In most patients the whole joint is worn, so a total knee replacement is used. If arthritis is confined to one side of the joint and the ligaments are sound, a partial replacement may keep more of your own knee. Computer-assisted and robotic techniques, such as knee Makoplasty, help the surgeon place the implant to a pre-planned position. The right choice comes from your standing X-rays and examination, so be wary of a hospital that names the implant before it has seen your images.
Does unilateral knee arthroplasty work? What the evidence says
Knee replacement is one of the most studied operations in orthopaedics. For people with advanced arthritis it reliably reduces pain and improves walking, and registry data suggest most implants still work 15 to 20 years later. Satisfaction is high but not universal: a minority of patients, often quoted at about one in five, report ongoing pain or limited function even when the implant is well placed. The operation does not turn the knee into a young one, and it may not allow running or heavy impact. It gives the most benefit when you have realistic goals, do the rehabilitation and keep a healthy weight.
Unilateral knee arthroplasty cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for one knee, not hospital quotes. The price depends on the implant, the technique, the room type and the length of stay. The hospital confirms its own price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost range (one knee) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €6,000 – €12,000 |
| United Kingdom | €10,000 – €18,000 |
| United States | €22,000 – €50,000 |
| Germany | €10,000 – €20,000 |
What changes the price: the implant brand and design, conventional or robotic technique, one or several nights in a single room, extra days for supervised physiotherapy and any pre-operative tests. A transparent package lists the surgeon and anaesthetist fees, implant, hospital stay, physiotherapy, medication, walking aids and airport transfers. Ask what is excluded, such as treatment of complications or a second operation. See how it works for how quotes are prepared.
How is the operation done, step by step?
You are admitted on the day of surgery or the evening before, and your leg is marked. Most hospitals use spinal anaesthesia with sedation; general anaesthesia is the alternative. A nerve block is often added for pain control. The surgeon makes an incision over the front of the knee, moves the kneecap aside and cuts the bone ends with guides so the components sit at the correct angle. Trial implants are tested for stability and movement through a full bend, then the final components are fixed, usually with bone cement. The operation takes about 60 to 120 minutes. You are encouraged to stand with a physiotherapist within hours and to start bending exercises the same day.
What does recovery after a single knee replacement look like?
Hospital stay is generally two to four nights. A typical timeline follows, though yours will vary with age, fitness and the type of implant.
- Days 1 to 4: walking with a frame or crutches, daily physiotherapy, ice, elevation and blood-thinning medication.
- Weeks 1 to 2: short walks, wound checks and strengthening exercises. Swelling and bruising extend down the leg.
- Weeks 3 to 6: most people move to one stick, then none. Stairs improve and driving may resume once you can brake in an emergency, usually after four to six weeks.
- Months 2 to 3: swimming, cycling and light gym work. Desk work is normally possible from two to six weeks and physical jobs take longer.
- Months 6 to 12: swelling and stiffness settle and the knee reaches its final function.
Plan to stay in Turkey for about 10 to 14 days so the surgeon can check the wound, remove stitches or clips, and confirm you can bend and walk safely before you fly. Your team will advise on clot prevention for the flight home, which is an important risk after joint surgery.
What are the risks of knee arthroplasty?
The NHS lists the main risks as infection, blood clots in the leg or lung, stiffness, persistent pain, nerve or blood vessel injury, wear or loosening of the implant over time, and complications of anaesthesia. Rarely a second operation is needed; see our guide to revision knee replacement. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and poor nutrition raise the risk, which is why a hospital should assess you before agreeing to operate. Get urgent help for a hot, red or draining wound, fever, a swollen painful calf, chest pain or breathlessness.
How do I choose a surgeon and hospital, and what are the red flags?
Look for an orthopaedic surgeon who performs knee replacements regularly, a licensed hospital with an intensive-care unit and an anaesthetist on site, and an implant from an established maker with registry results. You should get a written plan and price based on your own X-rays and a medical questionnaire. Red flags include a fixed quote without any images, pressure to book both knees, no named surgeon, an unclear package and no plan for care once you are home. Other related operations, such as hip, shoulder and ankle replacement, are grouped under joint replacement. Request your plan through our free quote page.
What should I ask the clinic before booking?
- Which knee and which compartments are affected on my X-rays, and is the implant total or partial?
- Is replacing the other knee likely, and when should that be decided?
- How many knee replacements does the surgeon perform each year?
- Which implant and technique will be used, and is it registered in a national registry?
- How many nights in hospital, and how much physiotherapy is included?
- What happens if a complication appears after I am home, and who pays for it?
- Will I receive an English discharge summary and implant record?
Hospitals with Orthopedics in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a knee replacement on one side only. The surgeon removes the worn joint surfaces of one knee and fits an artificial joint, most often a total knee replacement, though a partial implant is used when only one compartment is damaged.
Unilateral means one knee; bilateral means both. Bilateral surgery can be done at the same time or in two stages. Doing both at once is possible in fit patients but places more strain on the heart and lungs.
Approximate ranges are €6,000 to €12,000 in Turkey, against about €10,000 to €18,000 in the UK. The price depends on the implant, technique, room and length of stay; the hospital confirms it in a written quote.
Most people walk without aids after three to six weeks, return to desk work in two to six weeks and reach their final function after six to twelve months. Supervised physiotherapy is a key part of recovery.
Registry data suggest that most knee replacements are still working after 15 to 20 years. Lifespan depends on the implant, your weight, your activity level and how accurately the surgeon placed the components, so ask which implant is used.
Expect soreness, swelling and bruising for several weeks. Nerve blocks and regular painkillers control it, and most people find the pain falls markedly after the first two weeks as movement, strength and confidence on the leg return.
Usually yes. Surgeons advise replacing the more painful knee first and reviewing the other after recovery, since many patients find the second knee feels better once the first is working well, and some never need it done.
Plan about 10 to 14 days. After two to four nights in hospital you need time for wound checks, removal of stitches and confirmation that you can walk and bend safely before the flight home.
Yes, usually after the surgeon confirms the wound and your mobility. Blood clots are a risk after joint surgery and after flying, so you will get advice on walking, medication and compression stockings for the journey.
It is a standard operation in licensed hospitals. Safety depends on the surgeon's experience, an assessment based on your own X-rays, an established implant and clear aftercare, so check each of these before you book.
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