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Knee endoprosthetics · Muscle-sparing · Vienna

Knee Replacement Vienna
Partial or total – back to an active life

When knee osteoarthritis makes every step painful and conservative treatments are exhausted, joint replacement is the most effective way back to mobility and quality of life. As a specialist in endoprosthetics I choose the right implant with you – as much replacement as necessary, as little as possible – and operate with muscle-sparing technique at Vienna's leading private hospitals.

Surgery date usually within 1–2 weeks Partial or total replacement Mobile from day 1 15–25 years implant longevity Full cost coverage with supplementary insurance

Medical Notice: The content of this page is for general information only and does not replace medical examination or advice. Medicine is a constantly evolving field – despite careful research, no guarantee can be given for complete up-to-dateness. Full disclaimer →

When does a knee need a replacement?

In advanced knee osteoarthritis the cartilage is so worn that bone rubs on bone. The result: pain with every step, increasing deformity (bow legs or knock knees) and a massive loss of quality of life.

A knee replacement resurfaces the destroyed joint surfaces with high-quality implants made of metal alloys and special polyethylene – individually fitted to your anatomy and leg axis.

With muscle-sparing surgical technique, tendons and ligaments remain largely untouched – meaning less pain after surgery, earlier mobilisation and a stable, resilient knee.

Typical signs that it is time:

  • Persistent pain despite medication & injections
  • Severely limited walking distance
  • Night pain, pain at rest
  • Increasing bow-leg or knock-knee deformity
  • Conservative options (physio, hyaluronic acid, PRP) exhausted

My principle:

As much replacement as necessary, as little as possible. I only recommend a prosthesis when joint-preserving options are truly exhausted – and then the smallest implant that solves your problem permanently.

Partial or total knee replacement?

Not every knee needs a complete replacement. Careful analysis of your X-ray and MRI images shows which compartments are affected – this determines the choice of implant.

If only one compartment is affected

Partial (unicompartmental) replacement

If the arthritis is limited to one compartment – usually the inner side – only this area is resurfaced. Cruciate ligaments and healthy parts of the joint are preserved.

  • +Smaller procedure, less blood loss
  • +More natural knee feeling
  • +Faster rehabilitation

If the whole joint is affected

Total knee replacement

If several compartments are destroyed, a total knee replacement resurfaces the entire joint. Modern implants are precisely aligned to your leg axis.

  • +Durable solution even for severe arthritis
  • +Corrects bow-leg / knock-knee deformity
  • +15–25 years longevity and more

How does knee replacement surgery work?

1

Consultation & planning

History, X-ray/MRI analysis, choice between partial and total replacement, scheduling.

2

Surgery

Muscle-sparing joint replacement under spinal or general anaesthesia. Duration approx. 60–90 minutes.

3

Inpatient stay

5–7 days at the private hospital. Physiotherapy and motion exercises from day one.

4

Follow-up care

Rehabilitation, regular check-ups with Dr. Ghobrial, consistent physiotherapy to the full result.

Recovery: week by week

A new knee has to be earned – rehabilitation requires more active participation than after hip replacement, but rewards you with a pain-free, fully functional joint. We define your personal plan together.

Day 1

First time standing up

On the day of surgery or the day after, you stand up with physiotherapy. Gentle motion exercises for flexion begin.

Week 1

Hospital stay

About 5–7 days as an inpatient: walking with crutches, stairs, flexion towards 90 degrees. Then discharge home or directly to rehab.

Weeks 2–5

Rehabilitation

Inpatient or outpatient rehab: consistently working on range of motion, muscle building, gait training. Swelling control remains important.

Weeks 6–8

Back to daily life

Driving is usually possible again and daily life is largely back to normal. Follow-up with X-ray at my practice.

From month 3

Active living

Cycling, swimming, hiking and golf are possible again. Mild residual swelling can persist for up to a year – the final result is worth the patience.

Costs & insurance coverage

With supplementary (Sonderklasse) insurance

  • Surgery and hospital stay generally covered in full

  • Direct billing with your insurer – no upfront payment

  • Surgery date usually within 1–2 weeks

Without supplementary insurance

  • Transparent cost estimate before the procedure – no surprises

  • Surgery as a self-payer possible at any time

  • Practice visits: approx. 80% reimbursement of the statutory tariff from your public insurer

Everything about cost coverage for private patients

Frequently asked questions about knee replacement

At Vienna's private hospitals surgery dates are usually available within 1–2 weeks – without the months-long waiting lists of the public system. After your consultation I take care of the cost estimate, insurance approval and scheduling with the hospital.

When osteoarthritis is so advanced that conservative measures (physiotherapy, hyaluronic acid, PRP, pain therapy) no longer help: persistent pain even at rest, severely limited walking distance, night pain, increasing deformity. We assess together in your consultation whether the time has come.

If only one compartment is worn (often the inner side), a partial replacement is often sufficient – a smaller procedure, more natural knee feeling, faster recovery. If several compartments are destroyed, a total replacement is the durable solution. Your imaging gives the answer.

Usually 5–7 days at the private hospital. You stand up with physiotherapy on the day of surgery or the day after. This is followed by about 3 weeks of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.

Yes – cycling, swimming, hiking, golf and cross-country skiing work very well, usually from about 3 months. I advise against contact and jumping sports to protect the longevity of the implant.

With a supplementary (Sonderklasse) insurance policy (e.g. UNIQA, Generali, Wiener Städtische, Allianz and others), surgery and hospital stay are generally covered in full – I bill your insurer directly. A cost estimate is provided in advance.

5.0
★★★★★

22 reviews on Google

“For me, Dr. Ghobrial is an exceptional orthopaedist and physician. He has operated on me twice and I always felt I was in the best hands.”

Gabriele E. · Google review (translated)

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Already been told you need a knee replacement?

Especially before joint replacement, a second opinion is worthwhile. I will tell you honestly whether the time has come – or whether joint-preserving alternatives still make sense.

Get a second opinion

Ready for a life without knee pain?

In a personal consultation I assess your situation, explain all options – joint-preserving and replacement – and answer every question. Consultations in English or German.

1040 Vienna: +43 1 585 62 60 · 1020 Vienna: +43 1 890 45 20

By appointment · 1040 Vienna-Wieden (Große Neugasse 28/2) · 1020 Vienna-Leopoldstadt (Vorgartenstrasse 206c)