If knee pain is making it harder to walk, exercise, travel, or enjoy everyday activities, you may consider meeting with an orthopaedic surgeon. A consultation does not mean you have committed to surgery. It is a chance to understand what is causing your knee pain, what treatment options exist, and whether surgery should be part of the conversation.
Knowing what to ask can make that appointment more useful. Below are questions covering a surgeon’s experience, treatment options, recovery, and what to expect afterward.
Table of Contents
Questions About Surgeon Qualifications and Experience
Training and experience are two of the factors worth understanding before choosing a surgeon.
Are you fellowship-trained in joint replacement?
Fellowship training is additional education completed after an orthopaedic surgery residency, usually with a focused emphasis on joint replacement and reconstruction.
How many knee replacements do you perform each year?
A systematic review published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders in 2012 found a trend toward better outcomes among higher-volume surgeons. However, the authors noted the results should be interpreted with caution since the relationship varied depending on which outcome was measured. Asking about procedure volume gives you a sense of how often a surgeon performs this specific operation.
How much of your practice focuses on joint replacement and care?
Some surgeons concentrate mainly on specialized joint replacement, while others treat a wider range of orthopaedic conditions. It is reasonable to ask about a surgeon’s experience with your specific diagnosis.
Questions About Surgical Techniques and Technology
Not everyone with knee arthritis needs the same procedure. X-rays, symptoms, overall health, and the extent of joint damage all factor into which options make sense.
Am I a candidate for partial or total knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement may be an option when arthritis is limited to one part of the knee. Total knee replacement is generally considered when damage is more widespread. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons publishes patient education on both procedures.
What approach do you recommend for me, and why?
Ask the surgeon to walk you through the procedure in plain terms, including why that particular approach fits your situation.
What type of implant do you use, and why?
Implants vary by design and material. Rather than asking how many years an implant is guaranteed to last (no surgeon can promise a specific number), ask what factors influence how long an implant tends to hold up.
For background on the procedure itself, see our guide to total knee replacement options.
Questions About Outpatient Options and Recovery
Some knee replacements can now be done on an outpatient basis, meaning selected patients go home the same day. This is not the right fit for everyone. According to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, factors such as overall health, mobility before surgery, home support, and specific medical conditions all play into whether same-day surgery makes sense.
Is outpatient surgery an option for me?
Ask what your surgeon weighs when deciding between outpatient surgery and an overnight hospital stay.
What happens after I go home?
Find out who to contact with questions, when follow-up appointments happen, and how rehabilitation will be coordinated.
When might I return to walking, work, or activities I enjoy?
Recovery differs for every patient. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that returning to daily activities takes time and depends on the individual and the demands placed on the new knee. Ask your surgeon for a realistic timeline based on what matters most to you.
Questions About Preparing for Surgery and Managing Pain
Understanding what happens before and after surgery makes it easier to plan your home, work schedule, and support system.
How will pain be managed afterward?
Pain management commonly involves more than one method, not just a single medication. Ask what your surgeon usually recommends and how that plan might be adjusted for your health history.
Should I do exercises beforehand?
Physical preparation may be part of the plan for some patients. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends discussing pre-surgery exercise with your care team.
How should I prepare my home?
Ask whether you will need a walker or other equipment, and whether you should remove tripping hazards, rearrange frequently used items, or line up help for the first stretch of recovery.
Questions About Long-Term Expectations and Outcomes
Recovery is a process, not a single milestone. Age, health, strength before surgery, and how closely you follow your rehabilitation plan all shape the timeline.
| Ask About | What to Discuss |
| Rehabilitation | When physical therapy typically starts and what it involves |
| Pain and swelling | What is common during recovery and what should prompt a call to your care team |
| Return to work | How your job’s physical demands may affect your timeline |
| Driving | What determines when driving is appropriate again |
| Activities and exercise | Which activities may be appropriate later, and which place too much stress on the knee |
| Implant longevity | What factors affect how long an implant lasts and what follow-up is recommended |
The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons notes that recovery durations vary from person to person, and that strength and endurance can keep improving for months after daily activities return to normal.
Why Local, Specialized Orthopaedic Care Matters
Training, experience with your specific procedure, and how care is coordinated before and after surgery matter more than proximity alone. A practice focused specifically on comprehensive orthopaedic joint care—including hips, knees, and shoulders—tends to see the recovery questions patients ask most often and can speak to them directly. Meeting in person locally also makes follow-up visits and physical therapy check-ins easier to keep on schedule.
Your consultation should leave you with a clear picture of your diagnosis and your options. Surgery is not automatically the right choice for everyone with knee pain, and a thorough consultation will help you understand whether it is right for you.
Schedule Your Consultation
If knee pain continues to interfere with everyday activities despite nonsurgical treatment, an orthopaedic evaluation can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and what options are available.
Bring a list of questions to your appointment, along with a summary of your symptoms, previous treatments, medications, and health history.
Contact Louisville Institute of Orthopaedics to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an evaluation or recommendation from a qualified healthcare professional.
