How long is the NHS wait for knee replacement surgery in the UK?

The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery (within the Trauma & Orthopaedics specialty) in England is approximately 16 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 40 weeks. Waits vary significantly by NHS trust — see the city breakdowns below for local figures.

How much does private knee replacement surgery cost in the UK?

Private knee replacement surgery in the UK typically costs £11,000–£17,500, with a typical price around £13,500. Prices vary by hospital group, surgeon experience, and what's included (anaesthesia, follow-ups, physiotherapy). Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health and BMI Healthcare are the main private hospital groups offering this procedure.

Can I switch from NHS to private for knee replacement surgery?

Yes. You can self-fund or use private health insurance to access knee replacement surgery privately while remaining on the NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid the long wait. Some private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. You will not lose your NHS place by getting a private opinion or treatment.

Which cities have the shortest NHS waits for knee replacement surgery?

Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the UK cities with the shortest median waits for trauma & orthopaedics (the specialty covering knee replacement surgery) include Liverpool (10 weeks), Reading (10 weeks), Bristol (12 weeks), Birmingham (12 weeks), Preston (13 weeks). See the full city table below.

Is knee replacement surgery covered by private health insurance?

Most major UK health insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) cover knee replacement surgery on standard policies, subject to underwriting and policy terms. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded. Always confirm coverage with your insurer before scheduling.

Knee replacement surgery: NHS wait vs private cost

Total or partial knee joint replacement for severe arthritis or joint damage. The current NHS median wait is approximately 16 weeks. Private treatment typically costs £11,000–£17,500.

NHS median wait (England)

16 weeks

Specialty: Trauma & Orthopaedics

Long-tail wait (92nd percentile)

40 weeks

242,045 patients waiting

Private cost (typical)

£13,500

Range £11,000–£17,500

NHS wait by city — fastest first

City	Median wait	Compare locally
Liverpool	10 weeks	See Liverpool →
Reading	10 weeks	See Reading →
Bristol	12 weeks	See Bristol →
Birmingham	12 weeks	See Birmingham →
Preston	13 weeks	See Preston →
Middlesbrough	13 weeks	See Middlesbrough →
Newcastle upon Tyne	14 weeks	See Newcastle upon Tyne →
London	14 weeks	See London →
Hull	15 weeks	See Hull →
Sheffield	16 weeks	See Sheffield →
Brighton	16 weeks	See Brighton →
Leeds	16 weeks	See Leeds →
Blackpool	16 weeks	See Blackpool →
York	16 weeks	See York →
Cambridge	16 weeks	See Cambridge →
Sunderland	17 weeks	See Sunderland →
Oxford	17 weeks	See Oxford →
Manchester	17 weeks	See Manchester →
Stoke-on-Trent	17 weeks	See Stoke-on-Trent →
Bradford	18 weeks	See Bradford →
Plymouth	18 weeks	See Plymouth →
Coventry	18 weeks	See Coventry →
Milton Keynes	18 weeks	See Milton Keynes →
Portsmouth	18 weeks	See Portsmouth →
Exeter	19 weeks	See Exeter →
Southampton	20 weeks	See Southampton →
Derby	20 weeks	See Derby →
Norwich	20 weeks	See Norwich →
Nottingham	22 weeks	See Nottingham →
Leicester	29 weeks	See Leicester →

Looking for knee replacement surgery waits by postcode?

We also publish wait times by postcode area, mapped to the NHS trust most likely to accept your GP referral.

See knee replacement surgery by postcode area →

All English cities

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