Various operations are carried out, from minor diagnostic procedures to replacement of a damaged knee joint with an artificial knee.

In the case of joints with very significant wear and tear, or advanced stiffness and severe pain, there is often no remaining alternative to an operation. In the process, the damaged joint is replaced by an artificial one (total endoprosthesis).

This operation is performed most often on the hip joint and less commonly on the knee. A common operative procedure for knee joint arthritis is the so-called "corrective osteotomy", in which the removal of a bony wedge corrects the malpositioning of the knee joint.