How long does knee surgery take?

The length of knee surgery depends on what procedure is being performed. A relatively simple arthroscopy may take less than an hour, while ACL reconstruction, complex cartilage or meniscus surgery, and knee replacement can take longer. A primary knee replacement commonly takes around one to two hours, although every case is different.

The patient spends additional time in the operating area before and after the procedure. Anaesthesia must be given safely, the surgical team prepares and positions the patient, and monitoring continues in the recovery room after surgery. Complex anatomy, previous operations, revision surgery, or additional procedures performed at the same time can increase the duration.

The exact number of minutes is less important than performing the operation accurately and safely. Recovery also does not directly match operating time. A short arthroscopic procedure involving a ligament or tendon can still require months of rehabilitation because the repaired tissue needs time to heal.

Before surgery, patients should ask what procedure is planned and whether any additional treatment might be performed if further damage is found. That makes the time estimate easier to understand. It is also useful to ask whether the operation is usually day-care or requires an overnight stay, because hospital duration and surgical duration are not the same thing.