A knee replacement may be recommended if knee pain is having a big effect on your life. 

Most people who have a knee replacement have pain and movement problems caused by osteoarthritis (a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff).

The knee usually moves smoothly because the ends of the bones are covered with a layer of tough tissue called cartilage. If the cartilage is worn away by osteoarthritis or damaged by an injury, the bones rub against each other, making your joint painful and stiff.

During a knee replacement, the damaged parts of your knee are replaced with metal and plastic parts.

Knee replacements are usually very successful and result in no pain in the knee and better movement.