Do you think you're getting old because of your knee pain? Is it making it difficult for you to do your everyday tasks? Have you exhausted all of your options for relieving your knee pain at home? And you're still not going anywhere! Then don't put it off any longer. Consult your doctor a get a thorough check-up done. If the pain or discomfort does not improve over time, your doctor may recommend you to an orthopedic surgeon. He or she may advise you to get knee replacement surgery. This will help to ease out the pain and help you to lead a productive lifestyle. In this blog we will discuss the procedure, when should you opt for surgery, and many more. Let's hear it out from the experts specializing in one of the best orthopedic hospitals in Mumbai.

Understanding the Knee replacement-

Knee replacement surgery involves removing the damaged and diseased section of your knee and replacing it with prosthetic components. The injured area of the knee is shaved away to make room for the new prosthetic components. The joints or bone ends of the knee are relined with prosthetic pieces during a knee replacement.

When should you opt for knee replacement surgery?

• When a patient's knee has been damaged or diseased by a previous knee injury or arthritis
• the patient is unable to conduct regular activities such as walking, light jogging
• having trouble standing after sitting for an extended period of time

your doctor may recommend this surgical treatment option. Before that, your doctor will assess your response to nonsurgical treatment alternatives such as medications, physiotherapy, or walking with a cane, and if they are no longer effective, you should consider knee replacement surgery.

What are the conditions that need knee replacement surgery as a treatment option?

• In a healthy knee, the kneecap(patella) acts as a protective layer over your knee joint. With age, the kneecap can get badly damaged or get worn out and can cause inflammation over the knee joint.
• Osteoarthritis i.e the worn-out cartilage between the knee and the bone joint causes pain and if the pain is not alleviated after taking medications, your doctor might consider knee replacement surgery for you.
• Rheumatoid arthritis- when your body’s own immune system attacks the lining of your knee joint and destroys it.
• Bony deformities like bowed knees or knock knees can impair the function of the knee joint.
• If you have a history of knee injuries like fractured bone or ligament tear that results in unbearable pain and inflammation around the joint.

Your orthopedic surgeon will recommend knee replacement surgery for the above-mentioned conditions. Other than these, stiffness, chronic pain, and swelling around the joint, gout may also require surgical intervention.

What are the different kinds of knee replacement surgery options available in India?

After a thorough check-up and evaluation of your test results, your orthopedic will consider knee replacement surgery for you. As per the experts from one of the best orthopedic hospitals in India, there are five different kinds of knee replacement surgeries performed in India-

• Total or B/L knee replacement surgery - in cases of severe arthritis, an open surgical procedure can be used to replace both of the patient's knees. Nowadays, computer-assisted prosthesis alignment can be performed prior to the surgery, increasing surgical precision. This is a surprising way to relieve knee discomfort.
• Unicondylar or partial knee replacement—if half of the joint is worn down, this is a minimally invasive operation that can be done. This is more cost-effective. Because this is a more conservative approach, the hospital stay after surgery will be shorter, and recovery will be quicker.
• Patellofemoral replacement- this procedure is performed for those who have knee cap arthritis. This is done for replacing the undersurface of the knee cap.
• Cartilage Restoration of the knee- due to any previous knee injury, if a single or isolated area gets worn out, cartilage grafting or cartilage cells (cells that grow into cartilage) come into play.

What are the instructions you need to follow after knee replacement surgery?

• Avoid doing a lot of cardio or lifting a lot of weights.
• Try to avoid heavy physical exertion
• Avoid Squatting
• Use an Indian toilet
• Avoid sitting on the floor with your legs crossed

FAQ-all your concerns resolved

How to take care of your knees after the surgery?

After knee replacement surgery, you must go to physiotherapy on a regular basis to regain your prior mobility.

• Within 24 hours of the surgery, you should begin the in-bed activity.
• The drains should be removed 24 hours after surgery, the dressing size will be lowered, and you can try standing at the bedside with one leg supported.
• You should stand and take a slow walk to the restroom with assistance after 2-3 days of surgery.
• You should use the western toilet with a high seat at this time.
• All of the stitches are removed after roughly 14 days.
• After 21 days, you should begin walking with the aid of a cane or a stick.
• After 4-6 weeks, the patient can begin climbing the stairs with support.

For how long, do you have to stay in hospital?

After 4- 5 days of surgery, the patient may be discharged.

For how long the knee prosthesis will work?

The knee replacement prosthesis can last up to 15 years if properly maintained.

Conclusion- if you are suffering from chronic knee pain, you can consult our doctors offering knee replacement surgery at one of the best orthopedic hospital.