Knee Replacement in India

Knee Replacement Surgery cost varies all across the world, where countries like the US, Australia and Canada provide the treatment at high prices. In countries like Taiwan,India, and Mexico Total Knee Replacement Surgery is far more affordable and is now offered at premium quality heathcare services.The knee joint is the largest joint in the body that aids in the mobility. During a knee replacement surgery, the diseased or damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic. Your doctor would recommend a knee replacement surgery to you if you have a progressive pain even during sitting and lying down that leads to decreased or painful mobility.

Conditions that require a Knee Replacement Surgery

The joint ailments that may trigger a need for knee replacement surgery include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Knee deformities
• Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis
• Swelling or inflammation that does not decrease

Depending on whether just one or both the knees are affected, a surgeon may conduct unilateral or bilateral knee replacement surgery. A unilateral knee replacement surgery refers to the removal of the diseased or damaged joint of a single knee and its replacement with prosthesis.

A unilateral knee replacement surgery can be recommended to an individual from any age group, depending on the extent of pain and immobility. The surgery helps provide relief from pain and immobility.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries

Total knee replacement surgery:

In total knee replacement surgery, the whole knee joint is removed and replaced with the artificial knee joint.

Partial knee replacement surgery:

The partial knee replacement or unicompartmental surgery involves the replacement of only the damaged part of the knee joint.

Minimally invasive surgery:

The total knee replacement surgery and partial knee replacement surgery can be performed by a minimally invasive procedure. This is an advanced surgical procedure that involves three to five-inch incision or smaller, which causes less pain and fast recovery whereas the usual traditional procedure involves 8 to 12-inch incision.

• You will be instructed to not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 12 hours before the surgery. Anesthesia will be administered to you. Either general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia is used. General anaesthesia makes you unconscious during the procedure and spinal anaesthesia causes numbness of the lower part of your body.
• Then the front side of the affected knee is cleaned with an antiseptic and an 8 to 12 inch or 3 to 5 inch (minimally invasive surgery) incision is made on your knee. The quadriceps muscle is detached from your kneecap. The kneecap is removed and metal or plastic parts prosthesis is attached using cement or other fixing material.
• The duration of the procedure is approximately one to three hours. After the procedure, the nurse will monitor you for one to two hours in the recovery room. Intravenous fluids and blood transfusion may be required to replenish the fluids lost during the surgery.
• Physical therapy will be initiated after the day of the surgery to improve the range of motion of the joint. Assistive devices can be used to pursue a normal daily life.

The following should be ensured to minimize knee replacement recovery time

• You should avoid falls and perform physical therapy for fast recovery and increase the range of motion.

• Use raised toilet seats for greater comfort.

• You should use a comfortable chair and foot stool that elevates your leg.

• Perform knee strengthening exercises that increase your muscle strength and mobility.
• Keep your wound clean and dry to prevent infection.