1. Is joint replacement surgery scary? For patients with osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery is actually joint surface replacement surgery. Simply put, it is the removal of worn and damaged cartilage and bone spurs from the joint surface, and then replacing them with metal and ultra-high polymer polyethylene as the moving surface of the joint, thereby relieving pain. Li Zijian, Joint Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital Joint replacement surgery is not as serious as it is thought to be and is routine for joint specialists, with the operation usually taking about one hour, or even faster in some cases. 2. How do I choose a knee prosthesis? There are manufacturers of knee prostheses in China and abroad, and each company has different types of knee prostheses, so there is a wide variety of knee joints available. Total knees can be divided into CR knee prostheses, which retain the posterior cruciate ligament, and PS knee prostheses, which do not retain the posterior cruciate ligament, both of which are suitable for first-time knee replacement patients. Depending on whether the prosthetic spacer is mobile or not, there are movable spacer and fixed spacer knee prostheses. Depending on the flexion angle of the prosthesis design, there are high flexion prostheses and normal prostheses to meet different patient requirements. The choice of which type of knee joint should be decided by the doctor according to the condition. 3. What is the efficacy of knee replacement, i.e., to what extent can joint function be restored after knee replacement? For patients with common osteoarthritis, function is basically normal after surgery and they can perform household chores, walk up and down stairs, travel, hike, climb mountains, and ride bicycles. The acquisition of these functions is the result of the joint efforts of the physician, the patient, and the rehabilitator; one of the three is essential. We should not force every patient to achieve perfect function; after all, some activities are no longer suitable for 70-year-olds. We should choose the purpose and method of exercise according to the patient’s own requirements, without forcing the patient to endure painful exercise. However, a range of motion of 0-100° is necessary and easy to achieve. 4. What is the cost of knee replacement? How many days of hospitalization? How many years will it last? Depending on the type of artificial joint used, the cost of hospitalization (including the cost of the artificial joint, surgery, medication and examination, etc.) varies. In our department, the hospitalization cost for unilateral knee replacement is about $45,000 if an imported joint prosthesis is used, and about $25,000 if a domestic joint prosthesis is used. If the patient requires a higher quality of life after surgery or requires a special type of prosthesis due to medical factors, the hospitalization cost will change accordingly. After hospitalization, we first examine your physical condition, evaluate your cardiopulmonary function, and develop a surgical plan, which takes about 2-3 days. After surgery, if you recover well, you can be discharged to a rehabilitation center or to do functional exercises at home after 1 week. The usual length of stay for joint replacement surgery is 7-10 days. Artificial joints are made of metal and polymer plastic, following the shape of a human joint. These materials have undergone rigorous experimental testing and are safe and reliable. Elderly people who do not exercise much can generally use them for more than 20 years. Of course, the service life of artificial joints also has a lot to do with the level of skill of the doctor, experienced doctors install the right size, accurate position, fit tightly, the joint life is naturally longer. 5.Can I have another surgery if the surgery fails? Yes, if the prosthesis is loose, infected or unstable after the replacement surgery, it can be operated again. 6. Do I need to be reviewed after surgery? Regular review is recommended after knee replacement surgery, so that the surgeon can determine the improvement of the clinical condition and guide the patient to better recovery and prolong the life of the prosthesis.