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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Total knee replacement
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I've had total knee replacement 18 months ago. When I stand-up from a sitting position, my new knees make a grinding noise and I also experience pain. It has been like this for 12 months.
What can be done other than another knee replacement? -
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Mr Rhys Clark
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Mr Clark is a consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in the latest hip and knee replacement surgical techniques. He also specialises in complex revision surgery, … View Profile
I'm sorry to hear you are still having problems with your knee replacement.
Patients often describe some "clunking" of a knee replacement as they bend the knee particularly if the patella has been resurfaced. This is the artificial patella engaging in the knee replacement. However, yours sounds slightly different from this. Some soft tissue or other material may be trapped between the implants that are causing your pain and grinding, or it could be some scar tissue formed after the surgery.
The first step would be to discuss this with the surgeon who performed the knee replacement. Some further investigations may be appropriate to find the cause. Once the cause is found then that will dictate the treatment. Hopefully, that wouldn't be another knee replacement.
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Biara Webster
Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Scientist, Personal Trainer
With 13 years experience Biara has worked in a variety of settings from exercise and health education in remote indigenous communities to metropolitan diabetes groups … View Profile
Do you get pain during the clunking, or are these unrelated?
Are you doing any exercise?
Strengthen the muscles around the knees to take the load away from the joint structures, increase fitness, (hydrotherapy is a good start) and learn about pain management. Explain Pain Workbook (https://www.noigroup.com/product/ep-handbook-protectometer/) or there's a great app called Curable.
But as Dr Clark recommended - discuss with your surgeon and GP to see if there are any structural inconsistencies exacerbating your condition.
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Anand Vaghasiya
Physiotherapist
Anand Vaghasiya, Principal Physiotherapist at UpPlus Physiotherapy, specialises in sports injuries, neck and low back pain, arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, dry needling, and holistic hands-on care.Anand … View Profile
It’s not uncommon for a knee replacement to make some noises—sometimes, it’s just the prosthetic moving normally. However, pain alongside that grinding sensation 12 months post-surgery isn’t something to ignore. The good news? Another surgery is rarely the first option. Strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving movement patterns, and addressing any stiffness or imbalances can often reduce pain and improve function. At UpPlus Physiotherapy, we focus on targeted rehab exercises, manual therapy, and movement retraining to help your knee feel more stable and comfortable. A proper assessment can help determine if it’s a mechanical issue, muscle weakness, or something else—let’s work on getting you back to moving pain-free!
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