Knee Replacement Surgery

Do you feel knee pain while walking, getting up from your chair, or standing up first in the morning after your sleep?

Have you tried all your medications, injections and therapies which do not seem to work?

If this is the case with you, it’s time to consider Knee Replacement Surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty!

Knee replacement in India is one of the most common orthopedic procedures done to give you better mobility and freedom from knee pain. It eases the severe arthritic pain and gives a new lease of life to your knee joints which makes your life easier and faster.

These days, knee replacements are also done with robotics. The surgery involves removal of the damaged knee and its replacement with an artificial knee joint made of metal, ceramic or plastic. The joint is artistically attached to the thigh bone, sheen, and kneecap with the help of acrylic cement.

Who needs a knee replacement surgery?

Age-related joint complications in which the cartilage providing the cushion between the knee and the bone joints wear out, are the major causes to opt for this surgery.

In addition, grade 4 osteoarthritis and its various types which are degenerative and inflammatory in nature also lead to joint issues necessitating knee replacement surgery.

Other reasons include:

Rheumatoid arthritis attacking the knee
Deformities like knock-knee or bowed knees
Knee injuries leading to broken bone or torn ligaments

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

There are two major types of knee replacement surgeries.

Total Knee Replacement

This is one of the most commonly preferred surgeries in which the surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and the shin bone that connects to the knee. The Knee joint is totally replaced with an artificial joint.

Partial Knee Replacement

It is done when only one side of the knee is affected and the patient has strong knee ligaments and cartilages are in normal condition. Anterior or posterior part of the knee is replaced through surgery which requires smaller cut than what is needed in total knee replacement.

Types of implants

Implants	Longeiviety
Cocr	15 Years
Oxinium (Oxidized Zirconium)	20-25 years
Opulent (Titanium Nitride)	20-25 years

Procedure

General or spinal anaesthesia is chosen based on your preferences and body time. General anaesthesia will keep you totally unconscious while spinal anesthesia will make your lower body part numb, not to let you feel any pain.
An intravenous antibiotic will be administered before, during and after the surgery to avoid any post-surgical infection.
A nerve block might also be administered around the knee to induce numbness around the knee.

During the Procedure

An incision of around 6-12 inches is made and the surgeon moves aside the knee cap to access the damaged knee portions. The damaged part is removed and the joint surfaces are prepared to place the artificial joint.
The artificial joint is attached and checked for its functioning by bending and rotating the knee.
The incision is closed.

After the Procedure

An incision of around 6-12 inches is made and the surgeon moves aside the knee cap to access the damaged knee portions. The damaged part is removed and the joint surfaces are prepared to place the artificial joint.
The artificial joint is attached and checked for its functioning by bending and rotating the knee.
The incision is closed.

Precautions to take after a knee replacement surgery

Walk in the hospital after the surgery
Prefer using an assistive device for a few weeks
Do not ignore taking physical therapy
Take antibiotics as prescribed to avoid infections
Don’t overdo the activities as they may delay healing and induce more pain

What to expect after a Knee Replacement surgery?

People often live with their pain, compromise their quality of life, and wait for their problems to subside on their own, but always try to avoid surgery. However, with worn-out knees, you don’t need to do this.

Knee replacement surgeries are always successful and most of the people return to their daily activities with improved quality of life. The benefits always outweigh the complications related to the surgery and that is why this procedure is preferred by a good number of people worldwide.

Most of the knee replacements last for more than 15 years and in many cases for a lifetime.

The common benefits of knee replacement surgery are:

Complete pain relief at the end of 3 months
Good alignment of the leg
Improved mobility
Better quality of life

What to expect?

First 1 to 7 days	A physiotherapist will help you with slight movements and bending of the knees You would be guided for basic activities using assistive devices
After 1st week	You can walk and stand for some time (10 min) still using a walker or crutches Continue physiotherapy and don’t go on uneven floors
After 1st month	You can travel avoiding jerks and perform everyday tasks like cleaning and cooking without using assistive devices Increase the intensity of exercise, however, avoid strenuous exercises.
After 3 months	You can start to return to normal and higher impact activities as per your surgeon's advice. You can drive slowly.
After 1 year	By this time, your knee should have regained its full strength and you should be able to return to most activities. You will no longer have knee pain and restrictions with movement

Knee Replacement Surgery Care at Medicover Hospitals

Knee Replacement Surgeries is one of the medical excellence at Medicover Hospitals with patients not only coming from different parts of India, but also from abroad. Our Orthopedic Department is skilled and equipped enough to perform robotic knee replacements with the highest level of precision and success. The team of Orthopedists and Orthopedic surgeons are supported by the latest technologies and high-end infrastructure to deliver world-class surgical outcomes in a highly safe and compassionate environment. With a multidisciplinary approach, we design the treatment pathway for our patients to ensure their holistic wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is a surgical procedure used to resurface an arthritis-damaged knee. Metal, ceramic and plastic components, or kneecaps are used as the implants.

2. Who should get a knee replacement surgery?

People who usually have problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs need knee replacement surgery to relieve severe pain caused by osteoarthritis.

3. What are the risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?

Risk and Complications of Knee Replacement Surgery:

Blood clots

Anaesthesia

Infection

Transfusion

Pain

Allergy

Wounds and bleeding

4. How long does knee replacement surgery take?

The procedure for knee replacement surgery takes 1 to 3 hours.

5. Will I need any treatment after the knee replacement?

You will need to make an appointment 6 weeks after the surgery to have your incision checked and to discuss about the physical activities to start with.

6. When I will be able to walk again after a knee replacement surgery?

You would be able to walk with support after three weeks, however, after three months of time, you would be able to walk on your own easily.

7. When I would be able to bend my knees after a knee replacement surgery?

After 7 to 10 days of the surgery, you should be able to fully extend your knees and bend it at 90 degrees.

8. What is the cost of knee replacement surgery in India?

The Knee Replacement surgery price in India ranges from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2.3 lakh.

9. How long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery recovery time is approximately six months, but it can take up to a year to fully resume physically demanding activities.

10. How painful is a total knee replacement?

Pain in the knee after surgery can be manageable with pain medications. Once fully healed, knee replacement surgery can help provide long-term pain relief and functional recovery.

11. What is the best age for a knee replacement?

The average age for knee-replacement surgeries is 60 to 80 years, and the surgery is not recommended for people under the age of 50, untill its accidental or due to some severe medical condition requiring a knee replacement.

12. Who is the best doctor for knee replacement surgery?

An orthopedic surgeon and a robotic surgery expert should ideally perform the surgery. Medicover Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the best orthopedic hospitals in India for its expertise in diagnosing and treating all bone and soft-tissue conditions. Our Orthopedic surgeons hold global level of expertise and qualifications to perform knee replacement surgeries on domestic and overseas patients.

13. What to expect after a knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement relieves pain, improves mobility, and improves quality of life. Moreover, most knee replacements are expected to last more than 15 years.

14. How is knee replacement surgery done?

To expose your kneecap, your surgeon makes a cut down the front of the knee. The damaged ends of the thigh and shin bones are removed. To fit the prosthetic replacement, the ends are precisely measured and shaped. The implant is placed in between and connected to the adjoining bones.

15. What foods should I avoid after knee replacement surgery?

Caffeine, alcohol, excessive sugar, and salt should be avoided after knee surgery as they can all slow bone healing by depleting nutrients in your body.