Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi: Procedure, Advancements, Recovery and Risks

 

What is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total knee replacement (TKR), also simply referred to as Knee Replacement, is an advanced surgical procedure meant to replace all three parts of a knee – the medial, lateral and patellofemoral. Specifically advised due to degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis, or an injury, total knee replacement involves the placement of artificial implants made of metal and plastic to relieve pain and restore function when other treatments and practices fail to respond.

While the rate of total knee replacement surgeries continues to grow and “roughly 2.5 lakh Indians undergo knee replacement surgery every year,” according to a report by an Indian national daily, the procedure has now turned much more advanced in nature and safety.

Who needs Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total knee replacement is usually recommended when all other ways like exercise, weight loss, physiotherapy, medications, injections fail to control severe pain, loss of function, or deformity that limits daily activities. Typically, total knee replacement surgery is advised to patients suffering from advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or complex deformities causing persistent disability.

What is the procedure for Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total knee replacement primarily involves the advanced procedure in which the worn cartilage and a small amount of bone are removed from the femur and tibia; and joint surfaces using metal components are recreated and a medical grade polyethylene insert acts as the new cartilage.

Usually the procedure lasts for 60 to 120 minutes under spinal or general anaesthesia, with exact technique tailored to patient anatomy and surgeon preferences.

Partial Knee Replacement and Total Knee Replacement: What and Why to Choose

Total knee replacement surgery isn’t the only solution for most people as partial knee replacement could be the best option. Depending on the extent of damage caused to the cartilage and bones, partial knee replacement ensures the two parts – lateral and patellofemoral remains intact as arthritis usually begins in the medial compartment.

In view of the importance of evaluating the extent of damage to different parts of the knee, patients suffering from such conditions or experiencing knee pain that limits mobility and affects the quality of life must consult an expert knee replacement surgeon for detailed examination and move ahead with total knee replacement surgery, only if and when it’s advised.

New Advancements in Total Knee Replacement Surgery In Delhi, India

While total knee replacement surgery becomes highly sophisticated due to new technologies, advanced equipment and innovative medical-grade systems, the new treatment approaches being taken by the orthopaedic surgeons in the present times ensures greater precision and less pain immediately after surgery, as well as quicker recovery to get back to a normal active life.

Although the new developments are shaping new concepts in knee replacement surgeries, they have not been able to replace sound clinical decision-making pertaining to the specific line of treatment.

Here’re some of the new advancements, and their strong potential being tapped by expert surgeons for total knee replacement surgery in Delhi:

Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery – Robotic Knee Replacement Surgeries helps in bone-cut accuracy, implant alignment, and soft tissue balance. While reducing alignment outliers, robotic-assisted total knee replacement surgery improves component positioning ultimately enhancing function and implant longevity. 

Cementless and newer knee replacement implant designs – With new innovations, the quality of implants have improved to a large extent. While the cemented implants remain the primary option which can be effective for long term and can be a better option for patients having poor-quality bone due to conditions like osteoporosis, cementless implants are more beneficial in active patients with stronger bones. However, it is important to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon for proper examination to determine which type of knee implant will be best for you.

Personalized and 3D-printed solutions – Specialized patient-specific instrumentation, custom cutting guides, and 3D-printed implants or surgical models helps manage unusual anatomy and complicated reconstructions. These technologies improve preoperative planning and minimize complexities in difficult cases.

Recovery after Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Post Knee Replacement Surgery pathways – multimodal pain control measures, minimised opioids, early mobilisation, and blood-conserving strategies are reducing hospital stays and enabling same-day or next-day discharge for select patients.

Physiotherapy – Given the advanced practices in total knee replacement surgery, most patients get started with physiotherapy the same day or the next day of their surgery for safe mobilisation, regain knee flexion/ extension, and independence to get back to daily life.

Weight Management – Patients having undergone total knee replacement surgery must manage their weight and avoid gaining significant weight as it could lead to increased pressure on the treated knee and can lead to complications.

Fall prevention – It is important for patients to prevent falling for long-term success of implants and the overall outcome of the surgery.

Risks and complications after Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Like any major surgery, TKR carries risks for certain complications and these must be well predicted and ascertained by the surgeon:

Some of the risks and complications that patients may have after Knee Replacement Surgery are:

• Possibility of Infection
• Formation of Blood Clots
• Persistent Stiffness
• Nerve/ Vascular Injury
• Intense Pain
• Need for revision (replacement of components)

To avoid risks or address complications, patients must consult an orthopaedic surgeon for effective pain management and improvement in walking and sleep.

Why choose the best knee replacement surgeon?

Choosing the best knee replacement surgeon and facility could make all the difference.

Here’s how picking the right centre and surgeon will help you get the best outcome:

• Good infection-control protocols to reduce the chances of infections
• Better quality implants for long-term stability of replaced knee
• Personalized care and support services that helps recover faster
• Quality of treatment that ensures the best outcome and lesser complications

Conclusion

Total knee replacement surgery is a life-changing procedure for the right patients. To achieve best results it is necessary to consult an expert orthopaedic surgeon who can help you understand the right treatment according to your condition.

Dr Vishwadeep Sharma, a Delhi-based leading orthopaedic surgeon and the present Additional Director of Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics at Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, offers advanced total knee replacement surgery in Delhi for patients struggling with prolonged severe pain due to a critical knee-condition.