Concierge orthopaedics · London
Conformis knee replacement — a customised implant, made for your knee.
A patient-specific knee implant designed from your own CT scan, fitted with single-use disposable cutting guides — by a fellowship-trained knee surgeon, in a proper theatre, with honest comparison to off-the-shelf and robotic options.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Fellowship-trained knee surgeon
A named consultant knee surgeon who offers customised implants — not a generalist working through a catalogue of off-the-shelf sizes.
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An implant made for your knee
From your own CT scan, the implant and its cutting guides are designed to your anatomy — no forcing a stock size onto an unusual joint.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation — Conformis, robotic or standard — is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a Conformis knee replacement costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics, with off-the-shelf and robotic TKR shown for honest comparison.
In short
A Conformis iTotal in our network: £17,500–£24,000, six to eight weeks from CT to surgery date.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Theatre time | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conformis iTotal (customised TKR) | £17,500–£24,000 | 90–120 min | 6–8 wk lead |
| Conformis iUni (customised uni) | £13,500–£18,500 | 60–90 min | 6–8 wk lead |
| Conformis iDuo (bicompartmental) | £15,500–£20,500 | 75–100 min | 6–8 wk lead |
| Off-the-shelf TKR (comparison) | £13,500–£18,000 | 75–100 min | Scheduled |
| Robotic-assisted TKR (comparison) | £15,500–£22,000 | 90–120 min | Scheduled |
| Consultation and CT planning | £350–£600 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the implant chosen, and by hospital length of stay. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Right implant, right surgeon, honest about the wait.
A customised knee is a strong option for the right patient — and the wrong one if your knee cannot wait six weeks or if your anatomy fits a stock implant perfectly well. We help you decide before you commit.
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Not sure Conformis fits?
For a straightforward TKR in average anatomy, an off-the-shelf or robotic option may be better value. We say so.
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Unusual knee anatomy?
Small, wide, deformed or previously operated — a patient-matched implant genuinely earns its keep here.
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Want it done properly?
A named consultant knee surgeon with Conformis experience, day-one physio, and NJR follow-up on every case.
The journey
From CT scan to rehab — what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message to review, with a six-to-eight-week manufacturing window in the middle.
Phase 1 · Planning
CT, CAD and manufacture
Phase 2 · Surgery
Once the implant arrives
Phase 3 · Recovery
Rehab and reviews
- 01
Planning
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, previous scans, previous surgery, and whether a Conformis implant has already been suggested.
- 02
Planning
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether a customised implant is the right route, or whether an off-the-shelf or robotic TKR fits better. An indicative price with each.
- 03
Planning
CT scan of hip, knee and ankle
A low-dose CT of the whole leg is taken. The images are uploaded to Conformis and used as the blueprint for your implant.
- 04
Surgery
CAD design and manufacture
Engineers design the implant and single-use cutting guides (iJigs) to match your anatomy. The polyethylene and cobalt-chrome parts are machined. Six to eight weeks.
- 05
Surgery
Surgery, once the implant arrives
A date is set once the implant lands in the UK. In theatre the disposable iJigs guide the bone cuts and the patient-matched implant is fitted.
- 06
Surgery
Two to four nights in hospital
Standard enhanced-recovery pathway — walking with a physio on day one, home once safe on the stairs and pain is controlled on tablets.
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Recovery
Rehab and review
Outpatient physio for three to six months. Reviews at six weeks, three months and a year, with a long-term registry follow-up.
Typical end-to-end: 8–10 weeks from CT to surgery. Full rehab: 3–6 months.
When it helps
When a Conformis knee replacement is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than a planned procedure.
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Medial-compartment osteoarthritis
Isolated wear on the inner side of the knee — a candidate for an iUni customised uni-compartmental implant.
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Tricompartmental osteoarthritis
Wear across all three compartments — the standard indication for an iTotal customised total knee replacement.
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Anatomically unusual knee
Small femurs, wide femurs, valgus or varus deformity — knees where stock sizes fit poorly and a bespoke implant makes sense.
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Previous osteotomy or hardware
Retained metalwork or altered anatomy from a previous osteotomy — a customised guide can plan around it.
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Failed non-operative treatment
Weight loss, physio, analgesia and injections have run their course and daily function is now limited by pain.
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Bicompartmental disease
Medial and patellofemoral wear with a spared lateral compartment — a niche indication for the iDuo bicompartmental implant.
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Revision considerations
A previous partial or total knee replacement that has failed — Conformis is not first-line for revision; standard revision systems usually fit better.
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Red flag: active joint infection
Any suspicion of septic arthritis or an infected prosthesis is an emergency — same-day orthopaedic review, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
Conformis is not the only option.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which knee.
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Conformis iTotal
A customised total knee replacement. Implant and iJigs made from your CT scan — the default option for tricompartmental OA.
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Conformis iUni
A customised uni-compartmental replacement for isolated medial or lateral wear. Less bone removed than a TKR.
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Conformis iDuo
A customised bicompartmental implant for medial and patellofemoral wear with a healthy lateral compartment. Uncommon indication.
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Off-the-shelf TKR
Standard total knee replacement using stock implant sizes. Long-track record, huge registry data, no manufacturing wait.
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Computer-assisted navigation TKR
Standard implant, but the cuts are guided by an intra-operative navigation system rather than by pre-made jigs.
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Robotic-assisted TKR
Standard implant, robot-assisted bone preparation. High precision on cuts and alignment, no bespoke implant.
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Partial knee (standard)
Stock uni-compartmental implant — an alternative to iUni if a customised implant is not needed or not preferred.
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Consultation and CT planning
An honest discussion of which route fits your knee, your goals and your timeline — including whether Conformis is worth the wait.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of knee surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant knee surgeons across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every knee surgeon in our network.
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Consultant knee surgeons with Conformis certification and case volume
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Full disclosure of alternatives — off-the-shelf, navigated and robotic TKR
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Enhanced-recovery pathway with day-one mobilisation and outpatient physio
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National Joint Registry (NJR) submission for every case
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Knee replacement is a common, effective operation. Conformis adds a manufacturing wait and long-term data that is still maturing — worth weighing against a better-fitting implant for your knee.
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Infection is uncommon but serious
Deep prosthetic joint infection affects roughly 1 in 100 knee replacements. Fever, spreading redness or wound discharge needs urgent review.
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DVT and pulmonary embolism
Blood clots are the reason for prophylaxis after surgery. Calf pain, swelling or breathlessness after discharge needs same-day medical review.
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Stiffness and manipulation
Some knees stiffen despite physio and need a manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) at three months. It is not a failure — it is a known step in a small minority.
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Patellar issues
Kneecap tracking, anterior knee pain and rare patellar fracture are possible with any TKR system, Conformis included.
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Aseptic loosening and wear
Long-term, any implant can loosen or wear. Conformis registry data is still maturing compared with well-established off-the-shelf systems.
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Manufacturing delay
Six to eight weeks from CT to implant is typical. If your knee cannot wait, an off-the-shelf implant is the honest recommendation.
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Periprosthetic fracture
A fracture of the bone around the implant, usually after a fall. Uncommon, but a reason to be careful in the first months.
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Cardiac and medical risks of surgery
Any major joint replacement carries the general risks of anaesthesia and surgery — heart events, chest infection, pressure areas. Pre-assessment covers all of it.
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Red flags
Fever, calf pain and swelling, breathlessness, wound discharge or a fall onto the knee after surgery are not normal — call the team or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever Conformis implant was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and implant chosen
Why the procedure was done — tricompartmental OA, medial-only wear, unusual anatomy — and which Conformis implant was used.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical technique
Spinal, general or combined; the approach used; the disposable iJigs deployed; and the bone cuts and soft-tissue balancing performed.
- 03 Findings
Fit, alignment and any issues
Intra-operative fit of the patient-matched implant, final alignment, patellar tracking, and any incidental findings.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, rehab plan and review timing
Read this first: weight-bearing status, physio plan, driving and work timelines, and when the six-week, three-month and one-year reviews are booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for a Conformis knee replacement varies by insurer and by policy. Most fund a customised implant on the same basis as a standard TKR when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about Conformis knee replacement.
Quick answers on the manufacturing wait, cost, alternatives, evidence and recovery.
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What is a Conformis knee replacement?
Conformis is a system of customised knee implants made bespoke for one patient. A CT scan of the hip, knee and ankle is used to design an implant and single-use cutting guides (iJigs) that match your anatomy — rather than fitting your knee to one of the stock sizes on the shelf.
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How is the implant made?
A low-dose CT of your leg is uploaded to Conformis. Engineers design the femoral, tibial and patellar components and their cutting guides in CAD. The polyethylene and cobalt-chrome parts are machined and the disposable jigs 3D-printed. The whole process typically takes six to eight weeks before your surgery can be scheduled.
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How is Conformis different from a standard total knee replacement?
A standard TKR uses stock implant sizes and reusable instruments. Conformis uses a patient-specific implant and single-use jigs. The idea is a better anatomical fit and less bone resection. Early functional outcomes are comparable to standard TKR; long-term registry data is still maturing.
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How does it compare to computer-assisted navigation or robotic TKR?
Navigation and robotic systems use standard off-the-shelf implants and guide the surgeon’s cuts intra-operatively. Conformis guides cuts with pre-made disposable jigs and adds a bespoke implant. All three aim at accurate alignment; the trade-offs are cost, lead time and long-term data.
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Who is a good candidate for Conformis?
Adults with medial or tricompartmental osteoarthritis who want a patient-matched implant, and patients with unusual knee anatomy — small or wide femurs, significant deformity, or retained metalwork — where stock implants fit poorly.
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How much does a private Conformis knee replacement cost in London?
Roughly £17,500–£24,000 for an iTotal, £13,500–£18,500 for an iUni and £15,500–£20,500 for an iDuo — inclusive of surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital stay and the customised implant. Off-the-shelf TKR is typically £13,500–£18,000 for comparison.
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How long is the wait for the implant?
Six to eight weeks from CT scan to implant arrival is typical. If your knee cannot wait that long, we say so and recommend an off-the-shelf or robotic option instead.
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How long is the hospital stay and recovery?
Two to four nights in hospital, walking with a physio on day one, and outpatient rehab for three to six months. Most patients drive again at six weeks and are back to desk work by six to eight weeks.
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What are the main risks?
Infection, DVT and pulmonary embolism, stiffness needing manipulation, patellar problems, aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture and — specific to Conformis — the manufacturing delay while your implant is made.
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What does the long-term evidence show?
Published series and registry data show comparable early function to standard TKR, potentially better fit and reduced bone resection. Long-term survivorship data for customised implants is still maturing compared with well-established off-the-shelf systems.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Computer-assisted navigation TKR
Standard implant with intra-operative navigation.
Learn more -
Knee arthroscopy
Keyhole diagnosis and treatment of knee problems.
Learn more -
Musculoskeletal MRI
Detailed imaging of the knee joint and soft tissues.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more -
Osteoarthritis Hip Knee
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Plantar Fasciitis
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
X Ray
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more
In practice, in London
The honest picture around conformis knee replacement in London
For conformis knee replacement, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. On the NHS, conformis knee replacement typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
A private conformis knee replacement pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For conformis knee replacement in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
The value of going through a concierge for conformis knee replacement isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.