When you are deciding whether to go ahead with a hip or knee replacement, one of the first questions you will ask is a simple one: “Will it work?” It is the right question — but an honest answer is more nuanced than a single success rate. This is where PROMs come in, and it is why Mr Kosuge was delighted to have been interviewed by PHIN, the Private Healthcare Information Network recently.

What are PROMs?

PROMs stands for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. They are short questionnaires — usually five to ten minutes to complete — that you fill in before your treatment and again at intervals afterwards. Rather than judging your recovery from a clinical examination or x-rays only, they ask you directly how you feel and how well you can manage everyday activities: walking, climbing stairs, sleeping, getting dressed and returning to the things you enjoy.

Why an x-ray does not tell the whole story

A joint replacement can look normal on an X-ray but still leave a patient not experiencing the improvement they had hoped for. What matters to you is not how the implant looks on a screen; it is whether you can get back to your life with less pain. PROMs capture exactly that: the outcome as you experience it, not just as it is assessed it in the out-patient clinic setting.

Giving you a more personalised answer

Mr Kosuge finds PROMs valuable as they allow him to give a far more individualised answer about what you can realistically expect. General success rates are a useful starting point, but they treat every patient as the same. In reality, outcomes vary with your age, your general health, your activity levels and the specifics of your condition. PROM data — gathered across many patients and then matched to circumstances like yours — helps Mr Kosuge paint a clearer, more honest picture of your likely recovery, rather than quoting a one-size-fits-all figure.

How PROMs help you as a patient

For you, tracking outcomes this way means you can:

•     Make a more informed decision about whether surgery is right for you

•     Set realistic expectations for your recovery timeline

•     Track your own progress in the weeks and months afterwards

•     Gain reassurance that things are moving in the right direction

•     Flag any issue early that a routine check might otherwise miss

The bigger picture

There is a wider benefit too. When PROMs data is brought together across many patients, it helps the whole profession understand which treatments work best for which groups of people. Every questionnaire a patient completes feeds into better, more tailored advice for those who come after them. It is one of the quiet ways private healthcare is becoming more transparent and accountable — something Mr Kosuge strongly supports.

Your options

If you are weighing up hip or knee surgery and would like a clear, realistic conversation about what it could mean for you specifically, Mr Kosuge would be glad to help. You can review Mr Kosuge’s outcomes on this website or book a consultation at Rivers Hospital in Sawbridgeworth.

To book an appointment with Mr Kosuge at The Rivers Hospital:

• Online booking

• Telephone: 01279 602675

Anxiety about the recovery period is one of the main reasons patients delay knee replacement surgery. The reality is that modern surgical techniques have changed what recovery looks like significantly — and for most patients, the progress within the first three months is far better than they anticipated. Here is a realistic guide to what the first 12 weeks involve.

Days 1 to 3: The Hospital Stay

The typical hospital stay following knee replacement is one to two nights. On the day of surgery, a physiotherapist will help you to stand and begin walking — usually within hours of the procedure. This is a very important part of recovery; early mobilisation is a core principle of modern joint replacement care. It reduces the risk of blood clots, prevents stiffness, and begins the process of restoring movement in the new joint.

Before you are discharged, the physiotherapy team will ensure you can safely get in and out of bed, manage stairs with a walking aid, and understand your home exercise programme. A follow-up plan will be confirmed before you leave.

Weeks 1 to 2: Home Recovery

Once home, the priority is keeping the knee moving while allowing the surrounding tissues to heal. A walking frame or crutches will be needed initially, and you will have specific guidance about what movements to avoid. Ice packs applied to the knee for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day are effective at managing swelling and discomfort.

Your home exercise programme at this stage will focus on regaining range of movement — particularly straightening the knee fully and bending it progressively. These exercises are not optional; the range of movement you establish in the first few weeks has a significant influence on your long-term outcome.

Weeks 3 to 6: Building Strength and Mobility

During this phase, most patients transition from a walking frame to a single crutch or walking stick. Swelling reduces gradually, and movement becomes noticeably easier. The goals are consistent daily walks, a reliable exercise routine, and continuing to increase the bend in the knee.

Most patients are advised not to drive for at least six weeks after knee replacement surgery — Mr Kosuge will confirm when it is safe for you, based on which leg was operated on and your individual recovery progress.

Weeks 6 to 12: Returning to Normal

By the six-week mark, many patients are walking without a walking aid and experiencing a marked reduction in pain compared to before surgery. Mr Kosuge reviews progress at the six-week post-operative appointment and advises on returning to activities including driving, swimming, and gentle recreational exercise.

By 12 weeks, the majority of patients are back to most normal daily activities. The knee continues to improve beyond this point — full recovery typically takes 12 months though.

What Helps Recovery Go Well

Preparation before surgery makes a meaningful difference. Being as physically active as possible beforehand, maintaining a healthy weight, and stopping smoking all contribute to a smoother recovery. Mr Kosuge provides personalised pre-operative guidance as part of your care pathway.

To book an appointment with Mr Kosuge at The Rivers Hospital:

• Online booking

• Telephone: 01279 602675