Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee pain is one of the most common issues that affects both old and young individuals. However, the reasons for the knee pain can vary. Youngsters can have knee pain because of severe injury and patellar tendinitis. Again, older adults can have knee pain because of arthritis. The situation gets worse with time. You cannot do your daily activities like walking or climbing stairs. 

If medicines or physical therapy are not significantly impacting your mobility, then the doctor recommends knee replacement surgery. It is a surgical procedure that replaces some or all of the knee joints.

Is arthritis restricting you from doing daily activities or playing with your grandchild in the park? If yes, then the doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery. 

The surgery replaces the damaged knee joints with artificial joints. The surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage and replaces it with man-made pieces, usually made from plastic and metal. You will require a full year to recover after the knee replacement surgery. However, you can do some of your daily activities as you heal.

The surgery is recommended for individuals who have severe knee injuries or arthritis. Before deciding on surgery, the surgeon will check your knee stability and strength, take an X-ray to determine the exact condition of your damaged knees, and check your overall health condition, age, and weight. 

Your knee is the largest joint in your body. It is made from tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage. All of them work together to provide stability in numerous activities like walking, jumping, and squatting. Now, let's discuss the parts of the knee.

Your knee is made from three large bones.

• The femur is the upper part of the knee joint.
• The tibia is the lower part of the knee joint.
• The patella or kneecap

The articular cartilage covers the ends of the above bones and allows them to move smoothly against each other.

The menisci, or C-shaped wedges, are present in between the femur and tibia. Its main job is to provide cushion to the joints.

The remaining knee surfaces have a synovial membrane. It secretes a synovial fluid that lubricates the knee joint.

Knee surgery is done unilaterally or bilaterally, depending on the patient's knee condition.

Unilateral knee surgery involves treating one knee at a time. This approach is usually suggested to patients with specific issues in one knee and the other knee functioning properly. Bilateral knee surgery involves treating both knees at a time. This approach is considered for patients with severe arthritis in both knees.

Patients with unilateral knee surgery will quickly recover compared to bilateral knee surgery.

Nowadays, many hospitals in India are performing total knee replacements using minimally invasive surgery. The surgical procedure is the same as that of the traditional knee replacement technique. 

However, here, the surgeon will make a small incision, only 4 inches compared to 6 inches. The artificial implants will also remain the same, but certain instruments will be used to place them properly. However, minimally invasive surgery is not suitable for all individuals. The patient needs to be healthy, young, and thinner.

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon uses a CT scan to create a 3D model of your knee, and accordingly, he will plan for the surgery. During the surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in your knee and inserts the robotic instruments, which are controlled by a computer system. It is an advanced technology used by surgeons. So, it will cost you more compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

Now, let's discuss the types of knee replacement surgery based on the positioning of implants.

Total Knee Replacement

Here, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage from the surfaces of the tibia and femur and replaces it with metal and plastic components. The surgeon tries to preserve the natural patella as much as possible. But if it is badly damaged, the surgeon replaces it with a plastic dome.

Total knee replacement surgery improves mobility and provides long-lasting pain relief.

Partial Knee Replacement

Here, the surgeon replaces only certain areas of the knee joint. The surgeon recommends partial knee replacements, usually for youngsters who experience knee injury or trauma. Partial knee replacement involves a smaller cut incision compared to total knee replacement.

Knee Cap Replacement

If the undersurface of the knee cap or its groove is damaged, the surgeon performs knee cap replacement surgery. This operation is suitable for one in forty people suffering from osteoarthritis.

Complex or Revision Knee Replacement

Here, the surgeon removes the old prosthetics and replaces them with new ones. This procedure is usually recommended to patients who are experiencing pain in the implant.

1. Individuals With Severe Arthritis

One of the most common causes of knee replacement surgery is arthritis. There are three types of arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs in individuals above 50 years old. However, it can happen to younger adults. The cartilage present at the ends of the bones is damaged over time. Hence, the bones get rubbed against each other, and you suffer from severe knee pain. It becomes difficult for you to move from one place to another.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of your body attacks the healthy tissues, particularly the synovial membrane in the knee joints. It thus causes inflammation and swelling. When the swelling increases gradually, it starts to damage the cartilage and bones. 

• Post-traumatic arthritis

If you have developed arthritis after a severe knee injury like a fracture or ligament tear, then you will have post-traumatic arthritis. The symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint.

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis have one thing in common, i.e., they cause a loss of cartilage and knee pain. If the pain becomes severe and you cannot do daily activities by yourself, like climbing stairs or walking, then the doctor recommends surgery.

2. Failed Conservative Treatments

If anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or cortisone injections into the knee joint are no longer effective, then it's better to have knee replacement surgery.

3. Severe Knee Pain

If you have severe knee pain while resting or sleeping and it is not improving through medications, then the doctor recommends surgery.

4.Knee Deformity

Knee deformity or abnormal shape of the knee joint can also be the reason for knee surgery. It is caused by severe injury or arthritis.

Complications of Knee Replacement Surgery

• Blood clot
• Infection
• Blood transfusion
• Persistent pain
• Metal Hypersensitivity

Racure Healthcare assigns every patient a dedicated relationship manager. He will try to answer all your queries and provide assistance related to treatment, travel, and logistics.

1. Handrails on stairs
2. Dressing stick
3. Remove loose carpets or any electrical cords from the house.
4. Raised toilet seat
5. Avoid climbing on stairs at least till the doctor permits you.

The average cost of knee replacement surgery in India is between $1785 and $7200. The cost depends on various factors like knee replacement surgery type, implant type, health condition, city type, hospital type, and hospital stay.

Healthcare expenses are rising year after year. Medical tourism is one of the best solutions in such cases. Patients travel to countries like India, where they can get highly advanced medical treatment at an affordable cost.

Racure Healthcare is one of the best medical tourism companies. It offers a complete package that includes treatment-related services, travel services, and logistics services. 

The company provides a list of skilled surgeons and reputed hospitals in India for international clients. You can access all the advanced medical procedures without any financial headaches. 

Knee replacement surgery is one of the best solutions for individuals suffering from chronic knee pain and reduced mobility. The surgical procedure can improve the quality of life, allowing patients to regain mobility and do their daily activities independently.

Racure Health Care can schedule a consultation with a knee replacement surgeon before your journey. It also provides visa assistance so that you will not have any issues while travelling. Contact Racure Health Care today to learn more about our services.