YOUR IMPLANT INFORMATION
Having a knee replacement: your implant record
Before a knee replacement, ask how you will receive a record of the implants used. After the operation, keep the treated knee, date, type of replacement and component details together. For an existing knee replacement, request missing information from the hospital rather than guessing the implant from its age or appearance.
Before your knee replacement: plan for recovery and records
Your pre-operative assessment is an opportunity to ask about the operation, recovery and any tests you need. Follow the team’s advice about exercises, medicines and preparing your home. The NHS knee replacement preparation guide explains what to discuss.
Alongside your recovery questions, ask:
- Is a total or partial knee replacement planned, and how will the final operation be documented?
- How can I obtain the implant labels and component details?
- Who will arrange follow-up, and whom do I contact with concerns?
- Will the operation be included in the National Joint Registry, with my consent?
Keep the planned procedure separate from the final record: the operation note is the source for what was actually done.
After surgery: details for your knee implant record
Ask your hospital for a copy of the available implant information. Your checklist is:
- Left or right knee and the date of the operation.
- Whether the operation was recorded as a total replacement, partial replacement or revision.
- Each component’s manufacturer, product reference and size, where documented.
- Any batch, lot, serial or device identification numbers on the supplied labels.
- The hospital, follow-up team and discharge advice.
Copy labels accurately, including letters and leading zeros. If the record has several component labels, keep them separately. Do not fill a missing model or serial number with the name of the operation.
If your knee was replaced previously
Check your discharge paperwork and any implant card first. If these do not identify the implant, contact the hospital’s orthopaedic or medical records team. Explain which knee was treated and approximately when.
The National Joint Registry provides a patient record request route if you consented to your information being recorded. You can ask for your information without purchasing a digital passport.
For both knees, keep two clearly labelled records. If part of an implant has been changed, ask the team to distinguish retained components from the new ones.
Use the record alongside your follow-up plan
Keep your knee details available when you see another hospital, arrange imaging or discuss a further operation. A clear implant history helps you show the receiving team what is recorded and where it came from.
Follow your surgical team’s instructions about rehabilitation and symptoms after the operation. A passport does not monitor the knee, diagnose a complication or decide whether an implant is suitable for a particular scan.
FAQ
What information should I keep after a knee replacement?
Keep the operation date, treated side, recorded procedure, component labels and follow-up contact. Preserve the manufacturer and product references exactly as your hospital provides them.
Can I keep a record for a partial knee replacement?
Yes. Record it as a partial replacement if that is what the operation record says, and keep the details of the components actually implanted. Do not describe it as a total replacement unless your team confirms that.
How do I find the make and model of an old knee replacement?
Ask the hospital where you had surgery for the implant details. If your operation was included in the National Joint Registry with your consent, you can request its record too.
YOUR NEXT STEP WITH IMPLANTPASSPORT
Keep a clear record for each knee
Once your hospital confirms the implant information, organise it into a readable digital record. Keep the original labels and identify older operations as history.
Create my ID cardYour own digital record, with optional family and emergency sharing.
What is included