Concierge orthopaedics · UK
Kneecap joint replacement, by a consultant knee surgeon.
A bone-preserving patellofemoral joint replacement (PFJR) for isolated kneecap arthritis — a modern NJR-tracked implant, a proper theatre, and a shorter recovery than a total knee replacement when the rest of your knee is genuinely healthy.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant knee surgeon, in a proper theatre
Not a generalist and not a training list. A named knee surgeon with a patellofemoral practice, an NJR-registered implant, and the anaesthetic that suits you.
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The right operation for your knee
Patellofemoral replacement is only right for isolated kneecap arthritis. If the rest of the joint is worn, or the kneecap is unstable, we say so before you commit.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation — PFJR, TKR, MPFL, or watchful waiting — is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private patellofemoral joint replacement costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three surgeons and implants.
In short
Private PFJR in our network: £10,000–£15,000, home the same day or after one night. NHS-funded via GP referral.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Discharge / turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patellofemoral joint replacement (private) | £10,000–£15,000 | 60–90 min | Same day / 1 night |
| Consultation with a knee surgeon | £250–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Standing knee X-ray + skyline view | £150–£300 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Knee MRI (both knees if needed) | £450–£900 | 30 min | 24–48 h report |
| Hyaluronic acid injection (bridging) | £350–£700 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Steroid injection (bridging) | £250–£500 | 15 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, surgeon, implant (Zimmer Persona PFJ, Stryker Avon, DePuy Sigma PF, Wright Journey PFJ), length of stay and any additional work such as a lateral release. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right implant, the right operation.
Patellofemoral joint replacement is under-offered in the UK — many patients with isolated kneecap arthritis end up with a total knee replacement they did not need. We fix that with proper imaging and a knee surgeon whose practice is patellofemoral.
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Not sure it is isolated?
An MRI and a skyline patellar view answer it. If the medial or lateral compartment is worn, a TKR is the honest recommendation.
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Worried about a big operation?
PFJR is bone-preserving, day-case or one-night, and rehab starts on day one. It is not a small procedure, but it is a smaller one than TKR.
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Want it done properly?
A named consultant knee surgeon with a patellofemoral practice, an NJR-registered implant and an enhanced-recovery pathway — including a straightforward conversion to TKR if you ever need one.
The journey
From enquiry to rehab — what happens, in order.
One surgeon from first message to review — including the rehab window.
Phase 1 · Before your operation
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Same day or one night at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us about the knee
A short, confidential form. What hurts, when it hurts, what stairs and sitting do to it, and what has been tried.
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Before
We come back with a plan
Within one working day: a knee surgeon, standing X-rays including a skyline patellar view, an MRI if not yet done, and indicative price. If PFJR is not right, we say so.
- 03
Before
Imaging and consultation
X-ray and MRI confirm patellofemoral-only osteoarthritis and rule out tibiofemoral disease. Trochlear dysplasia and patellar tilt are assessed.
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On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Consent, marking, and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. GA with an adductor-canal block is the usual choice.
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On the day
The procedure itself
60–90 minutes in theatre. A short midline or para-patellar approach, the worn cartilage is resected, and the trochlear component and patellar button are cemented in place.
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On the day
Same day or one night
Full weight-bearing on day zero or one, physio at the bedside, and home the same day in some centres or after a single overnight stay.
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After
Rehab and review
Physio-led rehab from day one, office work at 2–4 weeks, driving at 4–6 weeks, golf and walking early, sport at 3–4 months. We arrange follow-up.
Typical end-to-end: 3–6 weeks from enquiry to operation. Return to sport: 3–4 months.
When it helps
When a patellofemoral joint replacement is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one clear no — a knee where the rest of the joint is also worn belongs with a total replacement, not a partial one.
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Isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis
Anterior knee pain worse with stairs, inclines and prolonged sitting, with the medial and lateral compartments preserved on X-ray and MRI.
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Post-traumatic patellofemoral OA
Kneecap arthritis after an old patellar fracture, dislocation or direct blow — often the classic PFJR case in a 45–65-year-old.
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OA after recurrent dislocations
Cartilage loss behind the kneecap after years of dislocation or subluxation, once the joint is stable but painful.
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Trochlear dysplasia with OA
A shallow trochlear groove that has led to premature wear — modern implants (Zimmer Persona PFJ, Stryker Avon) accommodate mild dysplasia.
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End-stage chondromalacia
Advanced patellar cartilage loss (Kellgren–Lawrence 3–4) that has failed physio, weight loss, offload straps and injections.
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Failed conservative care
Persistent pain despite structured physiotherapy, weight optimisation, patellofemoral offload bracing, and HA or steroid injection.
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Middle-aged, active, bone-preserving
A patient in their late 40s–60s who wants a bone-preserving alternative to TKR — the tibia and femoral condyles are kept for the future.
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Not right: whole-knee OA
If the medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartment is also worn, PFJR is the wrong operation — a total knee replacement is needed.
Procedure options
PFJR is not the only option.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which knee.
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Patellofemoral joint replacement (PFJR)
A partial knee replacement that resurfaces only the patella and trochlea. Bone-preserving, day-case or one-night, faster recovery than a TKR.
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Total knee replacement (TKR)
The right operation when medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartments are also worn, or when inflammatory arthritis (e.g. RA) is present.
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Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKA)
A partial replacement of one tibiofemoral compartment — a different problem from PFJR and not interchangeable.
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MPFL reconstruction
For isolated patellar instability without arthritis — a stabilising ligament reconstruction, covered on our /treatments/kneecap-stabilisation page.
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Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO)
A realignment procedure for maltracking or extreme malalignment — sometimes needed before or with a PFJR.
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Cartilage repair / microfracture
Considered for younger patients with focal cartilage lesions — rarely definitive in advanced patellofemoral OA.
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Physio and injections
Structured physiotherapy, HA and steroid injections and offload bracing — the mandatory first line, and often enough for mild disease.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether surgery is needed, and which operation fits your imaging and your goals — no obligation.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of knee surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant knee surgeons across London, the South East and the North West. 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 a patellofemoral practice, not general orthopaedic lists
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NJR-registered implants — Zimmer Persona PFJ, Stryker Avon, DePuy Sigma PF or Wright Journey PFJ
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Adductor-canal block and enhanced recovery pathway offered as standard
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Honest conversion pathway to TKR if the joint declines — the same surgeon, the same clinic
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
PFJR is a well-established, NJR-tracked partial knee replacement. The things worth planning are your anaesthetic, the rehab window, and knowing what the ten-year numbers actually say.
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GA plus regional block
A general anaesthetic with an adductor-canal block is the usual combination — good pain control on day one, and full weight-bearing from the start.
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Full weight-bearing early
You will be up on day zero or one with crutches for balance for the first one to two weeks. Range of motion begins immediately.
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Back to office in 2–4 weeks
Desk-based work in two to four weeks, driving at four to six, cycling around six, and sport at three to four months.
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85–90% ten-year survivorship
Modern PFJR implants show 85–90% ten-year survivorship in registry data — better than the older generation, though not quite matching TKR.
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Progression to tibiofemoral OA
Around 10–15% of PFJRs need conversion to TKR at ten years because the rest of the knee wears out. Conversion is straightforward.
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Anterior knee pain can persist
Roughly 15% of patients still feel some anterior knee pain after PFJR. It is the honest number, and worth weighing before surgery.
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Patellar maltracking
The kneecap must track through the trochlear groove — occasionally a lateral release or revision is needed to correct maltracking.
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Infection, DVT, loosening, stiffness
Prosthetic joint infection, DVT/PE, aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear and stiffness needing manipulation under anaesthetic are all recognised, uncommon risks.
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Red flags
Fever, spreading redness, calf swelling, or a hot swollen knee after surgery are not normal — call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever 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 operation was done — isolated patellofemoral OA, post-traumatic, dysplastic — and which implant (Persona PFJ, Avon, Sigma PF, Journey PFJ) was used.
- 02 Technique
Approach, anaesthetic and fixation
GA with an adductor-canal block, midline or para-patellar approach, and the trochlear component plus patellar button cemented in place.
- 03 Findings
Cartilage grade and other compartments
Intra-operative confirmation that the medial and lateral compartments and ACL were intact — the reason PFJR was chosen over TKR.
- 04 Impression
Rehab, restrictions and review timing
Read this first: weight-bearing status, driving and return-to-sport windows, and when the surgeon wants to see you again.
Recognised by major UK insurers
PFJR is usually funded by UK PMI when medically indicated and imaging supports isolated patellofemoral OA. We confirm cover, procedure code and any excess before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about patellofemoral joint replacement.
Quick answers on candidacy, cost, recovery, implant survivorship, and the difference between PFJR and a total knee replacement.
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What is a patellofemoral joint replacement?
A partial knee replacement that resurfaces only the back of the kneecap (patella) and the groove it runs in (trochlea). The rest of the knee — the tibiofemoral compartments and cruciate ligaments — is left alone. It is UK NJR-tracked and reserved for isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis.
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How is PFJR different from a total knee replacement?
A TKR resurfaces the whole joint and is used when medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartments are also worn, or in inflammatory arthritis. A PFJR replaces only the kneecap surfaces, is bone-preserving, and has a shorter recovery — but it only works when the rest of the knee is genuinely healthy on X-ray and MRI.
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Who is the right candidate?
Typically an older middle-aged patient (roughly 45–70) with anterior knee pain worse on stairs, inclines and prolonged sitting, Kellgren–Lawrence 3–4 patellofemoral OA on the skyline view, preserved medial and lateral compartments on X-ray and MRI, and failure of physiotherapy, weight loss, offload bracing, and HA or steroid injection.
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When is PFJR not the right operation?
When any tibiofemoral wear is present (TKR is needed), in inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, in significant patellar instability without arthritis (an MPFL reconstruction comes first), in extreme malalignment (a tibial tubercle osteotomy may be needed first), and in young athletic patients — where we defer surgery wherever possible.
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How much does private PFJR cost in the UK?
Roughly £10,000–£15,000 all-in for the operation, implant, anaesthetic, hospital stay and initial physiotherapy. NHS-funded PFJR is available through referral from your GP. We confirm a firm private quote within one working day.
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What is the recovery like?
Full weight-bearing on day zero or one, crutches for balance for one to two weeks, physio-led rehab from day one, desk-based work at two to four weeks, driving at four to six, cycling around six, and return to sport at three to four months. Walking and golf come back early.
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How long does the implant last?
Modern implants (Zimmer Persona PFJ, Stryker Avon, DePuy Sigma PF, Wright Journey PFJ) show 85–90% ten-year survivorship in registry series. Around 10–15% of patients need conversion to a total knee replacement at ten years because the rest of the joint wears out — conversion is straightforward because the native tibia and femoral condyles are still there.
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What are the main risks?
Prosthetic joint infection, DVT or PE, patellar maltracking (occasionally needing a lateral release or revision), instability, aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear, progressive tibiofemoral OA needing conversion to TKR, persistent anterior knee pain in about 15% of cases, and stiffness needing manipulation under anaesthetic.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Total knee replacement
The right operation when the whole knee is worn.
Learn more -
Kneecap stabilisation (MPFL)
For recurrent patellar dislocations without arthritis.
Learn more -
Knee preservation surgery
Cartilage repair, osteotomy and joint-preserving options.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
Nearby in the library