Elton John just proved knee surgery can be glamorous—here’s how

From the operating theatre to the world of high fashion, Elton John has once again proven that he sees life differently. What most people would discard without a second thought, he turned into a statement of resilience and creativity. And in true Elton style, it involved gold, Latin inscriptions, and his very own bones.

When Elton underwent double knee replacement surgery in 2024, he made an unusual request—he wanted to keep his kneecaps. His surgeon was taken aback, but the singer was determined not to let them become medical waste. Instead, he transformed them into some of the most extraordinary jewellery pieces imaginable.

He explained the unusual moment in his new documentary Touched By Gold, produced by the World Gold Council.

'When I had my kneecaps removed, the left one first and then the right, I asked my surgeon if I could keep the kneecaps, which he was rather startled about,' Elton revealed.

Elton admitted the state of his joints was as bad as it sounded. 'My surgeon said I had the worst knees he's ever operated on,' he recalled. With his trademark humour, he added: 'That hole was actually in my kneecap. It looks a bit like an old artefact from Egypt.'

A long health journey

The unusual jewellery was just the latest chapter in Elton’s long health journey. His first knee surgery took place in January 2024, followed by the second in April. This came after hip surgery in September 2021, when he suffered ‘considerable pain and discomfort’ following a fall.

Another fall in August 2023 left him hospitalised in Nice, France, and in 2025 he revealed he was recovering from a severe eye infection that temporarily impaired his vision.

Despite these challenges, Elton kept finding ways to turn hardship into art. Jewellery designer Theo Fennell, who has collaborated with him for years, explained how the process unfolded.

'We had to bake them to dry them out,' Fennell said. 'Then they get raw like pumice stone, they're very porous, and so we had to paint them with acetate and then just polish them up.'

From bone to jewellery

The results were striking—a gold-framed necklace featuring his right kneecap, with a chain made of bones, and a brooch crafted from the other.

One piece carried a Latin inscription meaning 'I will no longer bow to any man,' which Fennell noted was both humorous and fitting given Elton’s missing joints. Elton himself declared: 'I honestly think these are timeless pieces that will last for centuries.'

The project aligned with a major turning point in Elton’s life. He had officially retired from touring in 2023, closing out his #Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. His husband David Furnish had optimistically predicted: 'By the time the summer rolls around, he'll have two brand new spanking knees. I think you'll see him breakdancing down the carpet next year.'

Though breakdancing may be unlikely, David confirmed Elton’s recovery was remarkable. 'He's walking brilliantly. Both his knees were bent so badly, but his left knee is now perfectly straight.'

For many seniors, Elton’s outlook offers a different way of viewing joint replacement and similar procedures. While most wouldn’t consider turning body parts into jewellery, his response showed how humour and creativity can reshape the narrative around ageing and medical challenges.

Even with his long list of missing parts, Elton reminded fans: 'I'm still here. And I can't thank you [enough]; you're the people that made me.'

Through Touched By Gold, he showed that his retirement did not mean the end of bold, unexpected creativity. His kneecap jewellery was more than fashion—it was a declaration of survival, humour, and artistry.

Elton John’s decision to transform his kneecaps into jewellery highlights how people can find strength and creativity even after major surgery.

For another perspective, some turn their health challenges into milestones that show resilience and recovery in a different way.

One inspiring example comes from a well-known sports figure who opened up about his own journey after undergoing significant surgery.

Read more: 'It's how you bounce back': Footy legend shares massive update after life-changing surgery'

Would you ever consider turning something from your own medical journey into art, or does Elton’s choice take personal mementos a step too far?