What is the waiting list for knee surgery?

Asked by: Dr. Emmett Streich PhD  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (13 votes)

The median waiting time for knee replacement after the operation had been planned was three weeks in the United States and eight weeks in Canada. In the United States, 95 percent of patients in the national sample considered their waiting time for surgery acceptable, as compared with 85.1 percent in Ontario.

What is the average waiting time for a knee operation?

NHS waiting times for knee replacement surgery in 2024

Trauma and orthopaedics have the highest waits, with over 800,000 people on the waiting list in March 2024. Pre-pandemic waits for knee surgery were around 13 weeks, which then rose to 30 weeks and 2020. They are now around 20 weeks.

How quickly do they schedule knee surgery?

Depending on your insurance, procedure, and physician, it typically takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months from your initial consultation to your surgery. Here are a few rules of thumb for what to expect about the process and timelines for scheduling surgery.

What makes you a candidate for knee surgery?

If your pain limits your mobility, causes issues standing or walking, or requires the use of a cane, these could be signs that you're a candidate for surgery. Surgery isn't typically the first treatment for knee pain, but if your pain persists despite other options, surgery might be the best path forward.

What is the maximum waiting time for an operation?

Meeting the referral-to-treatment (RTT) standard

The NHS Constitution sets a standard that 92% of people waiting for elective (non-urgent) treatment (such as cataract surgery or a knee replacement) should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to their first treatment.

Waiting for Total Knee Surgery? Do these 5 things NOW!!!

41 related questions found

What is the average waiting time for surgery?

The mean time from decision to operate to the day of operation was 75.87 days for all patients. This number accounts for 53% of the wait time, while the time from referral to decision to operate is 47%.

Why do you have to wait 6 months to get another surgery?

Most doctors will recommend waiting six to 12 weeks between surgeries. Longer wait times are advised for surgeries involving significant blood loss or extensive time under anesthesia. Additionally, your rate of healing and overall health will be a good determinant of how quickly you can receive your second procedure.

Who is not a good candidate for knee surgery?

Patients who can walk on level ground without much difficulty, or who only have pain when going up and down stairs, are not good candidates for knee replacement surgery.

How bad does a knee have to be before replacement?

You may be offered knee replacement surgery if: you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced. your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep. everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible.

What is the cost of knee replacement surgery?

A knee replacement surgery is expensive for many people. In India, the average knee joint replacement cost ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The price includes the surgeon's fee, implant cost, hospital room rent, OT charges, medicines, consumables, etc.

What is the best month to have knee surgery?

You may be wondering when is the best time of year to have knee replacement surgery. Many patients ask this question when considering TKR and the consensus is that the spring and early fall are the best seasons.

How long after a consultation do you get surgery?

How long after a consultation is surgery. The length of time between initial consultation and surgery can vary depending on a variety of factors, but surgery often takes place 2-4 weeks after the initial consultation. If the situation is more urgent, it may happen sooner.

What happens if you wait too long for knee surgery?

If you delay surgery, not only do you risk worsening joint damage, but your recovery afterward may be slower and more difficult. With weakened muscles and further joint deterioration, it will take longer to regain strength and mobility post-surgery.

What is the best age to have a knee replacement?

In the United States, currently, the average age to undergo knee arthroplasty is around 65 years old. Mostly knee replacement surgery is performed in elders with severe arthritis, while those under the age of 50 are considered young and are asked to wait until the age of 65.

What is the newest alternative to knee replacement?

CartiHeal™ Agili-C™ is an implant intended to repair damaged cartilage. It is absorbed by the body and is a new treatment option for patients. “I am passionate about preserving and repairing tissue in knee joints and getting people back to what they love doing.

Can an MRI show if you need a knee replacement?

MRI can help determine which patients with knee injuries require surgery. MRI may help diagnose a bone fracture when x-rays and other tests are inconclusive. MRI can detect abnormalities that might be obscured by bone with other imaging methods.

When is it too late for knee replacement?

Now for the main question: What is the upper age limit for knee replacement surgery? That's an easy question to answer: There is none.

Can injections really fix bad knees?

Knee gel injections work well for most knee pain, especially if you have mild to moderate arthritis. The effects generally last 6 to 12 months.

Who should not get knee surgery?

Patients who have thinning of the cartilage but not bone touching bone should not undergo knee replacement surgery, except in rare circumstances.

What is the hardest orthopedic surgery to recover from?

5 of the Most Difficult Orthopedic Surgeries to Recover From
  1. Spinal Fusion Surgery. Spinal fusion is a procedure where two vertebrae are fused to prevent the movement that is causing pain. ...
  2. Complex Spinal Reconstruction. ...
  3. Knee Replacement. ...
  4. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery. ...
  5. Shoulder Replacement.

What happens if you wait too long to get surgery?

Your health conditions may worsen.

This is probably the most important reason to not delay surgery. If you have a condition that could be helped by surgery, delaying it will only make it worse. The longer you wait, the more damage is being done and the harder it will be to fix.

Can a knee replacement be done twice?

If your knee replacement fails, your doctor may recommend that you have a second surgery — revision total knee replacement. In this procedure, your doctor removes some or all of the parts of the original prosthesis and replaces them with new ones.

At what age should you not get surgery?

A national study published by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine found that one in seven older adults (65 and up) dies within a year of having a major surgery. A third of those with likely dementia will perish, while older adults with frailty and/or having emergency surgery are even more likely to die.