Waiting for a knee or hip replacement? How to stay active and in less pain while you wait

19 Oct

Last reviewed October 2026. Written by the clinical editorial team at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness. Reviewed by The Wellness Team.

Waiting for a knee or hip replacement does not have to mean months of worsening pain. Targeted strength work, weight management, sensible pain relief and, for suitable patients, a joint injection such as PRP can keep you moving and help you reach surgery in better shape. A doctor can build a plan around your joint and your surgical date.

Key points

In September 2025 there were 860,865 cases on the trauma and orthopaedic waiting list in England, the largest of any specialty, according to Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis).
Routine orthopaedic waiting lists have risen steadily since 2013, so many patients now plan for a long wait.
Strengthening the muscles around the joint before surgery helps patients stay active and prepares them for recovery.
For mild to moderate arthritis, PRP has been linked with improved knee function for up to 12 months and, in one large study, a median 5.3 year delay in knee replacement.
The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595, with a free doctor review on WhatsApp.

How long are people waiting for joint replacement?

Many people now wait months for a knee or hip replacement. Arthritis UK reported in November 2025 that the trauma and orthopaedic waiting list in England stood at 860,865 cases in September 2025, the largest list of any specialty. The charity noted that routine orthopaedic waiting lists have risen steadily since 2013.

A long wait is a period that can be used well. Patients who stay strong, keep moving and manage pain actively tend to feel better during the wait and arrive at surgery in better condition.

Talk to a doctor about your wait on WhatsApp and tell us which joint and how long you expect to wait.

What can I do while I wait for surgery?

Several approaches help while waiting for a joint replacement, and they work best together. The core elements of a waiting plan are listed below.

Strength work for the muscles around the joint, especially the thigh muscles for the knee and the buttock and hip muscles for the hip.
Low-impact activity, such as cycling, swimming or walking on flat ground, to keep the joint mobile without overloading it.
Weight management where relevant, since every step loads the knee and hip with several times body weight.
Sensible pain relief, agreed with a doctor, so that pain does not stop you exercising.
A joint injection, for suitable patients, to ease pain and allow more activity.
A walking aid, used in the opposite hand to a painful hip or knee, to reduce load on bad days.

Can PRP help while I wait for a joint replacement?

PRP can help some patients while they wait, particularly those whose arthritis is mild to moderate rather than end-stage. A 2025 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found PRP gave clinically relevant improvement in knee function at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months compared with placebo. Better function can make the wait more comfortable and keep patients active.

Some patients find PRP helps enough to postpone surgery. A 2021 study of 667 patients in International Orthopaedics found a median 5.3 year delay in knee replacement among PRP patients, and 85.7% of those followed for five years did not need surgery. The study was observational, so it cannot prove PRP caused the delay, but it is encouraging for patients with earlier disease.

Book your free suitability review on WhatsApp to see whether PRP suits your joint.

Will an injection affect my operation?

Timing matters if surgery is booked. Many orthopaedic surgeons prefer patients not to have any joint injection in the three months before a replacement, because of a small extra infection risk. For that reason, our doctors plan the timing of any injection around your surgical date and encourage you to tell your surgeon about it.

Patients without a date yet, or whose date is many months away, have more flexibility. Your doctor will explain the safest timing for your situation.

Who is most likely to benefit from PRP before surgery?

The patients most likely to benefit have mild to moderate arthritis and still have joint space on X-ray. Typical features include the following.

Knee or hip pain that limits walking, sleep or work.
X-ray or scan findings of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
A long expected wait, or no surgical date yet.
A wish to stay active and possibly delay surgery.

Patients with severe, bone-on-bone arthritis gain less from any injection. For them, the waiting plan focuses on strength, pain control and preparation for surgery, and our doctors say so honestly.

What does a waiting plan at The London PRP Clinic look like?

A waiting plan at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness starts with a free doctor review of your symptoms and imaging. Approved patients have a consultation at the clinic, where a doctor examines the joint and agrees a plan.

The plan can include PRP, with one to three injections spaced two to four weeks apart, alongside a strength and activity programme. Where imaging is clinically needed, The Online GP by The Wellness offers doctor-performed diagnostic ultrasound in the same Marylebone clinic. Most patients walk out normally and return to light activity within 24 to 48 hours.

Request your waiting plan on WhatsApp and a doctor will outline the options.

How much does joint PRP cost in London?

Image-guided joint injections at Harley Street clinics commonly cost £780 to £900 or more per injection. The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595. The doctor confirms the full plan and cost before treatment begins. Read our full guide to PRP joint injection costs in London.

How does the free suitability review work?

The free suitability review is a doctor's honest opinion before any appointment. Send a short description of your joint, your expected wait, what you have tried and any X-ray or scan reports through WhatsApp. A GMC-registered doctor reviews the case and either approves you for a consultation or recommends a more suitable route.

Start your free review now, call +44 20 3951 3429, or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have PRP while on a waiting list for a knee replacement?

Many patients have PRP while waiting for a knee replacement, to ease pain and stay active. Timing is planned around any surgical date, as surgeons often prefer no joint injection in the three months before surgery.

Can PRP stop me needing a joint replacement?

PRP cannot guarantee that surgery will be avoided. A 2021 study found a median 5.3 year delay in knee replacement among PRP patients, but the evidence is observational rather than randomised.

What exercises help while waiting for a hip or knee replacement?

Strength work for the thigh, buttock and hip muscles, plus low-impact activity such as cycling and swimming, helps most patients. A doctor or physiotherapist can tailor a programme to your joint.

Where can I have joint PRP in London?

The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595 at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London.

References

Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis). Press release on trauma and orthopaedic waiting list figures, November 2025.
Bensa A and colleagues. Platelet-rich plasma versus placebo for knee osteoarthritis, meta-analysis. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025.
Sánchez M and colleagues. Platelet-rich plasma injections delay the need for knee arthroplasty, a retrospective study and survival analysis. International Orthopaedics, 2021.