When you need knee replacement surgery, you want to choose the best surgeon. But how do you know who that is? Most patients ask friends for advice. Others search for surgeons with “high volume” and “lots of experience.”
Here’s what might surprise you: the surgeon who does 200+ knee replacements each year might have higher problem rates than one who does 75. Volume alone doesn’t guarantee quality.
At SurgeonCheck, we’ve studied over 10 billion medical claims. This helps us understand what truly separates top surgeons from the rest. Our findings show that the factors that really predict better results go far beyond simple volume counts.
3 things that matter most for your surgery success
Through our study of millions of knee replacement surgeries, we’ve found three key areas. These areas connect with better patient results:
1. Making smart choices: Is the surgery appropriate?
Example: Imagine Sarah, age 58, who was told she needed knee replacement for her arthritis pain. Before moving ahead, her surgeon suggested trying physical therapy and cortisone shots first. Six months later, Sarah’s pain had improved a lot. She didn’t need surgery.
The best knee replacement surgeons aren’t eager to operate. They’re smart about when surgery will truly improve your life. Studies show that many patients can benefit from other treatments first. They should try these before considering surgery.
Top surgeons carefully look at:
- How bad your joint damage really is
- Whether you’ve tried other treatments first
- Your activity goals and lifestyle needs
- Your overall health and surgery risks
A surgeon who suggests surgery right away is a red flag. They should talk about other options first. This surgeon might not have your best interests at heart.
2. Problems and results: the long view matters
Here’s where most rating systems fail you. While review sites and many quality platforms only track problems for 30 to 90 days, the most serious issues often show up much later.
We track results for several years. This is when you see the full picture of surgical quality. Over half of repeat surgeries happen within two years.³ But implant problems can appear years after surgery.
The factors that predict your success:
Infection rates: Infection affects about 1-4% of knee replacements.¹ But it’s terrible when it happens. Patients often need multiple surgeries. They need months of antibiotics and long recovery time.
Repeat surgery rates: Sometimes you need more surgery to replace or repair your implant. Top surgeons have repeat surgery rates under 2% at five years. Some have rates over 8%.⁴
Getting back to normal: This means how quickly you return to walking, driving, and activities you enjoy. This varies a lot between surgeons.
3. Training and skills: the know-how that counts
The difference is huge: Specially trained surgeons who focus on knee replacement have success rates of 90-95% compared to less than 80% for general orthopedic surgeons.⁵
Special training means your surgeon spent an extra year learning only joint replacement after their regular five-year orthopedic surgery training. At top programs, these surgeons:
- Do over 400 surgeries during their extra training year
- Focus only on knee and hip surgeries
- Train with hard cases and tough situations
- Learn from surgeons with decades of focused experience
Questions to ask: “Did you do extra training in joint replacement?” and “What percentage of your practice is knee replacement?”
What your doctor’s reviews won’t tell you
Many patients use review sites to check out surgeons. These can give useful info about office experience. But they miss what matters most for your surgery results.
What reviews usually measure:
- How friendly the office staff was
- Whether appointments started on time
- Office cleanliness and comfort
- Bedside manner
What reviews miss:
- Actual problem rates
- Long-term results
- Repeat surgery rates
- Technical surgical skill
Real example: We’ve seen surgeons with 4.8-star ratings who had infection rates more than double the national average. On the flip side, some of the most skilled surgeons have average ratings simply because their offices run behind schedule or they’re less chatty during appointments.
Your surgery’s success depends on technical skill, not personality.
Start Your Search for the Right Surgeon
Choosing a knee replacement surgeon shouldn’t feel like guesswork. At SurgeonCheck, we never accept payment from surgeons to be listed. This ensures completely objective reviews. Our reviews are based on what actually predicts better results.
When we study knee replacement surgeons, we focus on:
- Consistency in results over time
- Performance across multiple quality measures
- Long-term problem rates
Over 90% of patients with well-chosen surgeons experience major improvement.⁶ This improvement lasts 15-20 years or more. Your new knee should give you years of better mobility. It should give you freedom from pain.
Ready to find top knee replacement surgeons in your area? Our review goes beyond volume and experience to identify surgeons with proven track records of excellence in the factors that matter most for your success.
References:
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Timeline. Healthline. 2020. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/rehabilitation-timeline
- Lenguerrand E, et al. Risk factors associated with revision for prosthetic joint infection following knee replacement: an observational cohort study from England and Wales. Lancet Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):40-50.
- Lau RL, et al. The role of surgeon volume on patient outcome in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2012;13:250.
- Knee Replacement Revision Surgery: What You Need to Know. Healthline. 2018. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/revision
- Based on analysis of revision rates from multiple studies including Lau RL, et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2012;13:250.
- What is Fellowship Training and Why Does it Matter? Fondren Orthopedic Group. 2024. Available at: https://www.fondren.com/blog/what-is-fellowship-training-and-why-does-it-matter/
