The Top 100 Questions About Hip & Knee Replacement — Answered on Video
Before almost every consultation, my patients tell me the same thing: “I Googled this at 2 in the morning.”
So I filmed the answers. This is my library of the 100 questions patients ask most about hip and knee replacement — each one answered straight to camera in about a minute, in plain English, the same way I’d answer it in the exam room.
Two new videos go up every week (Monday and Friday). The library is organized by where you are in the journey — from “Do I even need surgery?” to life with your new joint years from now. Find your question below, watch the answer, and if yours isn’t here yet, ask it in the comments on any video — I read every one.
— Matthew Sloan, MD, hip & knee replacement surgeon, Concord, MA
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@thejointreplacementpodcast
Watch the Top 100 Questions Playlist
Watch the full Top 100 Joint Replacement Questions playlist from The Joint Replacement Podcast with Matthew Sloan:
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Stage 1 — Do I Need Surgery? (Q1–Q14)
- Am I too young for a knee replacement? — Watch now — published Sat Oct 17, 2026.
- Am I too old for a hip replacement? — Watch now — published Mon Oct 19, 2026.
- How bad does my arthritis have to be before surgery? — Watch now — published Fri Oct 23, 2026.
- What happens if I just wait and put off surgery? — Watch now — published Mon Oct 26, 2026.
- Can injections fix my knee so I don’t need surgery? — Watch now — published Thu Oct 29, 2026.
- Will losing weight help me avoid a joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Can physical therapy fix arthritis without surgery? — Coming soon.
- Why can’t you just replace the cartilage? — Coming soon.
- Only part of my knee is bad — do I need a full replacement? — Coming soon.
- My neighbor’s knee replacement went great — will mine? — Coming soon.
- Both knees are bad — should I do them at the same time? — Coming soon.
- Should I get my second knee done before the first fully heals? — Coming soon.
- My hip arthritis hurts in my groin and knee — is that normal? — Coming soon.
- Can I prevent needing a joint replacement? — Coming soon.
Stage 2 — Choosing a Surgeon, Implant & Technology (Q15–Q28)
- What should I ask a surgeon before choosing one? — Coming soon.
- How many joint replacements should my surgeon do each year? — Coming soon.
- Does the implant brand matter? — Coming soon.
- Cemented or cementless — which implant is better? — Coming soon.
- What is a robotic knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- Does the robot make my replacement last longer? — Coming soon.
- Is minimally invasive or ‘jiffy’ knee replacement better? — Coming soon.
- Anterior vs posterior hip replacement — which is better? — Coming soon.
- What is hip resurfacing — am I a candidate? — Coming soon.
- What’s the difference between partial and total knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- What are joint replacements made of? — Coming soon.
- I’m allergic to nickel — can I still get a knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- What is kinematic alignment in knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- Should I get a second opinion before joint replacement? — Coming soon.
Stage 3 — Preparing for Surgery (Q29–Q38)
- Do I really need medical clearance before surgery? — Coming soon.
- Do I need to lose weight before joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- What exercises should I do before surgery? — Coming soon.
- What medications do I stop before surgery? — Coming soon.
- Do I need to quit smoking before joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Can I have dental work before my joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- How do I set up my house before surgery? — Coming soon.
- What should I bring to the hospital? — Coming soon.
- Who should take care of me after surgery? — Coming soon.
- Can I eat or drink the night before surgery? — Coming soon.
Stage 4 — Surgery Day & Anesthesia (Q39–Q50)
- How long does a knee replacement actually take? — Coming soon.
- Will I be awake during my joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Spinal or general anesthesia — which is better? — Coming soon.
- Will I feel pain during the surgery? — Coming soon.
- What actually happens during a knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- How big will my scar be? — Coming soon.
- Will I need a blood transfusion? — Coming soon.
- How long will I stay in the hospital? — Coming soon.
- When can I eat after surgery? — Coming soon.
- Will I have a catheter after surgery? — Coming soon.
- What does the implant look like inside my body? — Coming soon.
- What are the real risks of joint replacement? — Coming soon.
Stage 5 — Going Home / Same-Day Discharge (Q51–Q58)
- Is it really safe to go home the same day? — Coming soon.
- What has to happen before they let me leave? — Coming soon.
- Can I be home alone after joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- How do I get up the stairs at home? — Coming soon.
- What equipment do I need at home? — Coming soon.
- When is my first follow-up visit? — Coming soon.
- What should I do the first night home? — Coming soon.
- When should I call the surgeon — and when is it an emergency? — Coming soon.
Stage 6 — Recovery Weeks 1–6 (Q59–Q78)
- How much pain will I have after knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- How long until the pain goes away? — Coming soon.
- Why is day 3 the worst after joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Do I have to take opioids after surgery? — Coming soon.
- How do I deal with constipation after surgery? — Coming soon.
- Why can’t I sleep after knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- Is swelling normal — and how long does it last? — Coming soon.
- Why is my whole leg bruised after surgery? — Coming soon.
- Why is the skin around my knee numb? — Coming soon.
- Why does my new knee click and clunk? — Coming soon.
- When can I walk without a walker? — Coming soon.
- When can I drive after joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- When can I go back to work? — Coming soon.
- How much should I walk each day after surgery? — Coming soon.
- Do I really need physical therapy? — Coming soon.
- How far should my new knee bend? — Coming soon.
- Why can’t I get my knee fully straight? — Coming soon.
- Is it normal to feel depressed after surgery? — Coming soon.
- What are the warning signs of infection or blood clot? — Coming soon.
- Can I overdo it in the first two weeks? — Coming soon.
Stage 7 — Long-Term Life With the Implant (Q79–Q92)
- How long does a hip or knee replacement last? — Coming soon.
- Will I set off airport security? — Coming soon.
- Can I kneel on my new knee? — Coming soon.
- Can I run or play tennis after joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- When can I fly after joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Do I need antibiotics before dental work for the rest of my life? — Coming soon.
- What activities are off-limits forever? — Coming soon.
- Will my new joint ever feel normal? — Coming soon.
- Why does my leg feel longer after hip replacement? — Coming soon.
- What happens when a joint replacement wears out? — Coming soon.
- Can a knee replacement be done twice? — Coming soon.
- Will my other knee need replacing too? — Coming soon.
- Can I get an MRI with a joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- Why does my knee ache when the weather changes? — Coming soon.
Stage 8 — Costs, Insurance & Logistics (Q93–Q100)
- How much does a knee replacement actually cost? — Coming soon.
- Does insurance cover joint replacement? — Coming soon.
- What will I actually pay out of pocket? — Coming soon.
- Why does my insurance company get a vote on my surgery? — Coming soon.
- Should I get both knees done in the same insurance year? — Coming soon.
- How long does insurance approval take? — Coming soon.
- Does Medicare cover hip and knee replacement? — Coming soon.
- What if my insurance denies the surgery? — Coming soon.
Don’t see your question?
New videos publish every Monday and Friday until all 100 are live. Ask your question in the comments on any video, or bring it to your consultation.
These videos are general education and aren’t a substitute for medical advice about your specific situation.