What is knee replacement surgery?

Introduction

Knee replacement surgery is the surgical procedure used to replace the parts of an injured or worn-out knee joint with a prosthesis (man-made artificial joint made up of metal or plastic). It is also known as knee arthroplasty. The surgery helps to ease pain and to improve the range of motion in the knee joint. 

The most common reason to carry out knee replacement surgery is to relieve pain caused by arthritis. These patients may have severe knee pain, and difficulty in climbing stairs, walking, and getting up from a sitting position. The surgeon will remove a part or full portion of damaged joint parts and then replace it with a prosthesis.

According to recent data, more than 2.5 lakhs of people undergo total knee replacement surgery every year. The costs for knee replacement therapy vary in different places and for different people depending upon the hospital they choose for surgery, doctor’s fee, duration of hospital stay, type of city, health condition of the patient, type of prosthesis used, and the insurance coverage the patient has. On average, knee replacement surgery costs vary from INR.1.5 lakh to INR 6 lakhs. 

What are the indications for knee replacement surgery?

The most common reason to have knee replacement is to relieve severe pain caused by arthritis. In some cases, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis also lead to surgery. In general knee replacement is done in people aged 60 years and older. Performing knee replacement in younger people will put extra stress on their replaced knee joint and cause it to wear and tear easily which limits the long span of the prosthesis. Healthcare providers will recommend you undergo knee replacement surgery if you have the following symptoms:

• Severe knee pain that troubles you in performing daily activities and disturbs your sleep
• Difficulty in walking and taking care of yourself
• Severe knee pain even after taking medications
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee joint
• A bone fracture that causes post-traumatic arthritis, resulting from accidents, falls or sports injuries

What are the types of knee replacement?

The following are the types of knee replacement:

• Total knee replacement surgery: In this type, the surgeon will replace all three areas of your knee joint; medial-lateral and patellofemoral areas are replaced. It is the most common type of knee replacement.
• Partial knee replacement surgery: In this type, the surgeon will replace only some areas in your knee joint. It is carried out only if one or two areas of the knee joint are damaged. Partial knee replacement is more common in younger adults who have experienced trauma or injury.

Knee replacement surgery: Procedure 

Before performing knee replacement, your healthcare provider will make a complete evaluation including diagnostic tests and physical examination. The surgery takes 1-2 hours to complete. During procedure:

• Your surgeon will give you an anesthetic to numb your body so that you will not experience any pain
• They will make a small cut (incision) over your knee
• During the procedure, your surgeon will remove the damaged joint and cartilage
• Then they will insert a prosthetic joint
• Insert another prosthetic part to recreate the natural tissue
• Reshape the bones around your joint to fit any new prosthetic if needed

Robotic-assisted knee replacement: Here your surgeon will use a special computer that guides their surgical tools during the operation. Studies have revealed that robotic-assisted joint replacements can be more accurate and insert prosthetic implants more securely.

How much does it cost for a knee replacement surgery?

The costs for knee replacement therapy vary in different places and for different people depending upon the hospital they choose for surgery, doctor’s fee, duration of hospital stay, type of city, health condition of the patient, type of prosthesis used, and the insurance coverage the patient has. On average, knee replacement surgery costs vary from INR.1.5 lakh to INR 6 lakhs.

What are the complications of knee replacement surgery?

Some people may experience pain and stiffness even after performing knee replacement surgery. Some of the rare complications include:

• Formation of blood clots
• Infection inside your knee or at the surgical site
• Formation of scar tissue inside your knees
• Loosening or easy tearing of artificial implant
• Decreased range of motion and joint stiffness
• Nerve damage at the site where the implant is placed, and can cause numbness, weakness, and pain

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

In general, it may take up to 1 year for a full recovery after knee replacement. However, you should be able to resume your usual activities after 6 weeks of surgery. The recovery period may vary in different people depending on their age, health conditions, and activity level before surgery.

Following are the instructions to be followed for better recovery:

• Keep your incision clean and covered: follow the instructions given by your doctor regarding incision cleaning. Ask your doctor when you have to change the dressings and when you can take a shower after surgery.
• Apply ice packs: Apply ice packs on your knees for 20 minutes and repeat this several times a day. This will help to relieve pain and swelling.
• Keep your knees elevated: Keep your heart above your heart level as often as you can.
• Practice home exercise: Your surgeon will guide you to perform certain exercises that help to strengthen the joint and relieve stiffness. 
• Start physiotherapy: Your doctor will ask you to do physiotherapy after a few months of surgery. This will help to resume the normal range of motion.
• Get a bench or chair for the shower
• Remove all tripping hazards
• Use a commode chair to help you get on and off the toilet
• Secure handrails along any stairs.

Conclusion:

Knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty is a procedure used to replace the parts of injured or worn-out knee joints with a prosthesis. The surgery helps to relieve pain, improve mobility, and improve the quality of life in many people. Most of the knee replacement surgery lasts at least 15-20 years. After recovery, you can resume low-impact activities but try to avoid high-impact activities for a better outcome. 

Experience individualized care and personalized advice from Dr Ishwar Bohra, a senior orthopedic surgeon in Delhi in relieving your knee pain and associated difficulties. Book your appointment today.

FAQs

Q: How much does knee replacement surgery cost in Delhi?

A: The cost for one replacement surgery varies for different people depending upon the hospital they choose for surgery, the surgeon’s fee, duration of hospital stay, the health condition of the patient and the insurance coverage the patient has. On average, knee replacement surgery costs around INR.110000 to INR 415000 in Delhi.

Q: When can I start walking after knee replacement surgery?

A: The recovery period may vary in different people depending on their age, health status, and the movements they had before surgery. In most cases, patients can resume normal activities such as walking after 6 weeks of knee replacement surgery.

Q: Is knee replacement a major surgery?

A: Yes, knee replacement is considered a major surgery. So it is recommended in cases only if medications, physiotherapy, and other methods fail to relieve your knee pain and other associated difficulties.