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© 2022 by PRISTYN CARE Pristyn Care® is a trademark of GHV Advanced Care Private Limited
© 2022 by PRISTYN CARE Pristyn Care® is a trademark of GHV Advanced Care Private Limited
Everything You Need To Know About Knee Replacement
When knee pain, stiffness or instability does not respond to nonsurgical measures including medication and physiotherapy, knee replacement is a reliable way to alleviate pain, stiffness and other symptoms and allow the individual to return to normal activities without pain. In a knee replacement surgery, injured or damaged parts of the knee joint are replaced with an artificial knee replacement implant made of metal, ceramic or plastic.
Table Of Index
What is Knee Replacement?
Types of disease
When do you need a Knee replacement?
Diagnosis
Potential risks and complications associated with knee replacement
Our Orthopedic Specialists and Surgeons
Questions you should ask your doctor about Knee Replacement
Treatment options & cost
Insurance coverage for knee replacement surgery
Recovery after knee replacement surgery
What is Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement, also called knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged knee with a plastic or metal implant. The surgery is recommended to people who have been suffering from severe arthritis or have suffered a major knee injury.
There are several types of arthritis that can affect the joints of the knee. Some of the most common ones include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects middle-aged or older people. The condition can cause the breakdown of the cartilage in joints and makes the knee joint weaker. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, leads to inflammation of the synovial membranes in joints and can cause excessive fluid buildup, which leads to stiffness and pain. Lastly, traumatic arthritis is caused due to a major injury to the knee and can severely damage the knee cartilage, which may give rise to the need for a joint replacement.
Before recommending knee replacement surgery, your doctor will try to use conservative methods for your treatments. In case such methods failed to show effect, surgical treatments will be considered. To determine if you were a viable candidate for knee replacement surgery, some physical tests and scans will be done. Moreover, the surgical technique would also depend upon your body weight, activity, size, and shape of the knee, and overall health.
Types of disease
Total Knee Replacement
Unicompartmental or Partial Knee Replacement
When do you need a Knee replacement?
- Medications, including strong anti-inflammatory drugs, are not helping ease your pain.
- Less invasive treatment options like cortisone injections, lubricating injections, and physical therapy have not been effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
- You face severe difficulty and pain in performing even simpler tasks like bathing, getting out of bed, climbing the stairs, walking, etc.
- You have started experiencing pain even when your knee is stationary while you're sitting or lying down.
- There is visible deformation in the knee.
- You are in the age group of 50 to 80 years old. Most people in this age group require knee replacement surgery as conservative treatments may not be effective for them. However, it should be noted that age is not necessarily a deciding factor for a total knee replacement surgery.
Diagnosis
Treatment for pain and discomfort in the knees will begin with conservative methods that include physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cortisone injections. If you have not seen any effect even after a considerable amount of time and are still experiencing pain while doing simple activities or when you’re at rest, you may require knee replacement surgery. Other symptoms may include stiffness, inflammation, and swelling of the joint.
Potential risks and complications associated with knee replacement
Minimally invasive knee replacement surgeries have a success rate of 90 to 95 percent, and the implant stays durable for 10 to 15 years in suitable conditions. However, as knee replacement surgery is a major procedure, there are some potential risks and complications associated with it. Possible risks may include the following.
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Infections
- A fracture after or during the surgery
- Bleeding in the joint during or post-surgery
- Instability of the knee cap leading to dislocation
- Nerve damage leading to numbness or weakness
- Ligament or artery damage
- Pain and stiffness post-surgery
- Allergic reaction to bone cement
- Excess bone formation around the knee implant, leading to loss of movement
- Excess scar tissue buildup
- Wearing down of implant
The patient should be on the lookout for signs of complications after the surgery. Swelling, bleeding, and redness around the site of operation, and fever can be signs of an infection. Tenderness, redness, and swelling below the knee, or in the calf or foot may indicate a blood clot in the leg or deep vein thrombosis, while shortness of breath and pain in the chest after surgery can be indicative of pulmonary embolism or blood clot in the lungs.
If the patient suspects the presence of any of the above-given complications, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Myths and facts about knee replacement surgeryMyth: Knee replacement surgeries are not very successful.
Fact: Knee replacement surgery is an effective treatment option for people whose knees have been worn out because of an injury or disease. The success rate of knee replacement surgery is as high as 95% for most patients and allows people to go back to their routine lives after they are fully recovered.
Myth: Bending of knees or sitting with your legs straight becomes very difficult after a knee replacement surgery.
Fact: It is a common misconception that bending and straightening of knees become difficult after a knee replacement surgery, but this is false. The range of motion after a knee replacement surgery depends mostly on the quality of surgery, post-operative rehabilitation, and prosthesis. In most cases, the range of motion is restored back to normal after recovery.
Myth: Knee replacement surgery cannot last for more than 10 years.
Fact: defects of a knee replacement surgery can last for a lifetime under ideal situations. this is because surgery and better quality implants are used in modern surgeries.
Myth: It takes months to recover from knee replacement surgery.
Fact: This depends upon the quality of surgery and force operative care. more people than go back to routine within a few weeks after the surgery
Myth: Knee replacement surgery is very painful.
Fact: Modern pain management therapies have made minimally invasive knee replacement surgeries a lot less painful than traditional open surgeries. The advanced surgical techniques ensure that the patient experiences minimum pain and remains comfortable during the operative and postoperative periods.
Myth: Magnetic therapy, ozone treatment, massage beds, laser therapy, oiling, acupressure, and braces can cure knee pain effectively and permanently.
Fact: While there are many non-surgical conservative treatment methods available for managing knee pain, none of them are backed up with strong, scientific research and are not capable of providing permanent relief from pain, stiffness, discomfort, and inflammation in the knee joints. These treatments can provide temporary relief, but will not cure the problem.
Myth: One cannot drive after undergoing knee replacement surgery.
Fact: On the contrary, driving becomes much easier after knee replacement surgery for people who have pain and stiffness in their joints. Within six to eight weeks of the surgery, the patient can start driving again, but it is always best to consult your doctor before you resume driving.
Myth: Knee replacement surgery cannot be done once you pass the age of 60 years.
Fact: Age is not necessarily a deciding factor in a knee replacement surgery.
Knee replacement surgery is commonly performed in geriatric patients.
Myth: You cannot undergo knee replacement surgery for both knees at the same time.
Fact: This is not true. Knee replacement surgery for both knees at the same time can have many advantages. You will have to visit the hospital once and the recovery period would be shorter if you get both knees operated on at the same time.
Why choose Prsityn Care for your knee replacement surgery?One of the most important factors which determine the success of knee replacement surgery is the choice of the healthcare provider and the team of surgeons.
At Pristyn Care, you will find the best knee replacement surgeons who are specialists in their fields and have ample experience in knee problems and treatments, including minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, ACL reconstruction, and arthroscopy. With extensive knowledge, dedication, and training, the knee replacement specialist and surgeons here will cater to your needs with utmost care and expertise.
The certified team of orthopedic knee surgeons in Pristyn care is fully equipped and capable of treating a variety of knee conditions, including traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, ACL tears, etc.
From your first consultation till your last follow-up appointment, our orthopedic surgeons and the medical team will always be there for you, making sure that you are comfortable and satisfied with your treatment. We offer minimally invasive knee replacement surgeries that involve lesser and smaller incisions which make recovery quite quicker and easier. The surgery will allow the patient to start walking independently the same day and return to a normal lifestyle in a few weeks. We also accept all major health insurance plans and provide a no-cost, EMI option to the patients who need help for financing their surgeries.
Questions you should ask your doctor about Knee Replacement
Is knee replacement surgery the best option for me?
Does my age affect the rate of success of the surgery?
What will happen if I delay the surgery?
Apart from knee replacement surgery, what other options are available for treating arthritis?
How is a minimally invasive knee replacement surgery performed?
What type of knee replacement surgery should I undergo for the best results?
What are the potential risks associated with the surgery?
Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of complications?
Are there any medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, etc. for which I should see my doctor?
Would I require a blood transfusion during or after the surgery?
Should I donate my blood before the surgery so that it can be used for transfusion during the surgery?
What are the chances of infection?
Is there something I can do to ensure the success of the surgery?
Are there any exercises I should do before the surgery to make my muscles stronger?
Should I learn how to use crutches in advance?
How can I get my house ready for when I am discharged from the hospital?
Do I need to stop taking any existing medication for my surgery?
Should I lose some weight before the surgery?
Would I be required to quit alcohol or smoking before the surgery? If yes, where can I find help for doing so?
What is the cost of knee replacement surgery?
Does my insurance cover the cost of surgery?
Do different hospitals have different costs for knee replacement surgery?
How can I find out if my insurance policy covers the cost of knee replacement surgery?
How long will the hospital stay after the surgery?
When will I be discharged from the hospital?
Will my physiotherapy program begin during my hospital stay?
Will I be able to walk independently when I leave the hospital?
Treatment options & cost
Total knee replacement surgery or TKR can cost somewhere between INR 3,20,000 to INR 4,50,000. This cost bracket is only for reference and is not a fixed cost. Factors like the type of implant used, surgical techniques, the fee of hospital and surgeon along with some other things influence the cost of knee replacement surgery.
Insurance coverage for knee replacement surgeryMost insurance companies cover the cost of partial and total knee replacement surgeries. But the exact amount of coverage depends on your health insurance policy. To know the details, it is best that you talk to your insurance provider to discuss the insurance coverage of our surgery.
Recovery after knee replacement surgeryYou will be taken to the observation room after the surgery where your vitals will be monitored by your medical team. During our hospital stay, you will be encouraged to move your foot and leg, and to try to stand or walk with the help of a walking aid. The rehabilitation program will be begun in the hospital and a physiotherapist will be arranged for you. Before your discharge, your doctor will prescribe some antibiotics and painkillers and will give some basic instructions to follow in the recovery period, and your physiotherapist will teach you some exercises for a healthy and quick recovery.
Latest research about Knee Replacement
Vitamin D may play a role in the degree of pain after knee replacement in postmenopausal women
A new study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2021 annual meeting can help orthopedic doctors and surgeons better manage patients who experience debilitating stiffness after they undergo a knee replacement surgery.
Duloxetine may reduce cumulative opioid use after total knee arthroplasty
Cities Where We Treat Knee-replacement
FAQ
What are the most common signs of knee arthritis?
- Pain, especially when in motion
- Limited range of motion
- Knee stiffness
- Crackling sounds
- Buckling or locking of the knee joint
- Swelling and inflammation
If you are suffering from chronic knee pain that does not go away, get it checked by our orthopedic specialists.
What are the common causes of knee pain and reduced knee function?
The most common cause of chronic knee pain and reduced mobility and motion of the knee joint is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common conditions that cause knee pain and affect the function of the knee joint.
How long does a knee replacement last?
In the majority of cases, knee replacement lasts 20 years.
How long does knee replacement surgery take?
Knee replacement surgery can take between 1 to 2 hours and is usually carried out with an anaesthetic.
Facts and statistics around Knee Replacement
Have a conversation with our best Knee Replacement Surgeons
Before you make up your mind about knee replacement surgery, it is best that you talk with your doctor about all the possible risks and complications. Like any major surgery, there are some risks and complications associated with knee replacement surgeries too, which may include infections, loosening of the implant, or limited range of motion post-surgery.
Under the right situations, knee replacement surgery can significantly enhance your quality of life. More than 90 percent of the people who undergo knee replacement surgery are able to resume routine life after fully recovering, and don’t face any issues with the replaced knee implant for at least 10 to 15 years.
But the results are different for every patient. That is why it is important that you discuss all the risks and complications with your doctor before the surgery, and talk about the recovery period and precautions.
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