Helping patients across North Wales understand their joint replacement journey â from first consultation through to full recovery.
We provide clear, trustworthy information to help North Wales patients navigate their hip and knee replacement options with confidence.
We put patients first â providing unbiased, easy-to-understand information about procedures, risks, and recovery timelines.
Based in North Wales, we understand local NHS pathways, private options, and the healthcare landscape specific to our region.
From Wrexham to Bangor, we connect patients with the right information to make informed decisions about their joint care.
Detailed information on the most common joint replacement surgeries performed across North Wales.
Hip replacement surgery removes damaged cartilage and bone, replacing it with artificial components. Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility within weeks.
Knee replacement resurfaces the damaged joint with metal and plastic components, relieving chronic pain from arthritis and restoring function to allow everyday activities.
Comprehensive guides on every aspect of your joint replacement journey â from pre-surgery preparation through to long-term outcomes.
Prehab exercises before surgery, milestone-based post-op recovery phases, and a home safety checklist to prepare your environment.
Read Rehabilitation Guide âPosterior, anterior, and lateral hip approaches and medial parapatellar vs. muscle-sparing knee approaches â explained objectively with honest trade-offs.
Explore Surgical Approaches âCemented vs. cementless fixation, bearing surface materials, and how implant choices are tailored to your age, bone density, and activity level.
Explore Implant Options âRealistic data on infection, blood clots, dislocation, and loosening â alongside the specific prevention protocols your team will use.
Understand the Risks âUnderstanding what to expect helps patients prepare and recover with confidence.
Physiotherapy exercises before surgery â strengthening key muscles and improving cardiovascular fitness â have been shown to reduce hospital stay length and significantly speed up early recovery. Medical assessments and home adaptations also begin at this stage.
Most joint replacements require a short 1â4 day hospital stay. You will stand and take your first steps on Day 0 or Day 1 â early movement is medically essential to prevent blood clots and joint stiffness. Blood-thinning medication and physiotherapy begin immediately.
Swelling management, gait retraining with crutches, and progressive range-of-motion exercises. Most patients progress from two crutches to one crutch by Week 3â4, and begin independent stair climbing. Driving is typically possible from Week 6.
Walking without aids, return to low-impact hobbies such as swimming and cycling, and return to most sedentary work. Physiotherapy continues to target strength and flexibility deficits specific to your surgery type.
Peak mobility and comfort are typically achieved between 6 and 12 months. Modern implants routinely last 15â25 years or more, making joint replacement a long-term investment in quality of life.
Answers to the most common questions from patients considering joint replacement surgery.
Candidates are typically people with severe joint pain that limits daily activities and has not responded to non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy, medication, or injections. Your GP or orthopaedic surgeon will assess your suitability based on X-rays, your symptoms, age, and general health.
Most hip and knee replacement operations take between 1 and 2 hours. The procedure is usually performed under general or spinal anaesthetic. Your surgical team will discuss the best anaesthetic option with you beforehand.
Joint replacement is a common and generally safe procedure. However, like all surgery, there are risks including infection, blood clots, nerve damage, implant loosening, and dislocation. Your surgeon will discuss these with you and the steps taken to minimise them.
Yes. Joint replacement surgery is available through Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which covers most of North Wales. Your GP can refer you to an orthopaedic consultant. Waiting times vary; private options are also available at local independent hospitals.
Modern joint replacements typically last 15â25 years or more, depending on your activity level, weight, and the type of implant used. Advances in implant materials and surgical technique continue to improve longevity outcomes.
Have a question about hip or knee replacement? We're here to help patients across North Wales find the right information and support.