Clear, honest information about your knee operation.
Plain-English guides written by orthopaedic surgeons, to read after your clinic appointment, the night before surgery, or weeks into recovery.
About this site
Your Knee Guide is a free resource of plain-English information about knee operations, written by practising orthopaedic surgeons. The aim is simple: to help you walk into surgery with a clear, realistic understanding of what is happening to your knee, what we are doing about it, and what recovery looks like.
Surgical practice varies between hospitals and surgeons. Each leaflet describes one approach. Other surgeons may do things differently for good reasons. Always confirm the specifics of your own operation, recovery plan, and follow-up with your own surgical team. If something on this site does not match what your team has told you, follow your team — not this site.
This site is general information only. It is not medical advice for any individual person. Decisions about your own care should always be made together with the clinicians who know you and your knee. The authors and operators of this site accept no liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, the information presented here. If you have a medical emergency, call 999. For urgent advice, call NHS 111 or contact your surgical team. By using this site, you accept these terms.
Available leaflets
ACL Reconstruction
Rebuilding a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Covers the operation, recovery, risks, and when to call us.
Total Knee Replacement
Replacing a worn-out knee joint with a new one. Covers the operation, recovery, risks, and how you might feel about your new knee.
Meniscal Repair
Stitching a torn meniscus back together — what it involves and what to expect.
Partial (Uni) Knee Replacement
Replacing only the worn part of the knee, leaving the rest intact.
Knee Arthroscopy
Keyhole surgery to look inside the knee and treat smaller problems.
MPFL Reconstruction
Repairing the ligament that holds your kneecap in place after recurrent dislocations.