Knee replacement surgery is a specialized orthopedic procedure performed on individuals with severe damage to the knee joint(s), with the aim of relieving pain and restoring mobility. The operation is effective in patients suffering from arthritis or severe knee injury.
Knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty involves the surgical removal of the damaged parts of the knee joint and replacing them with artificial joints. These joints are made of metal and plastic materials that restore the normal actions of the knee joint. Depending on the extent of joint damage, the surgery can either be unilateral (one knee) or bilateral (two knees).
There are two types of knee replacement surgeries:
Partial Knee Replacement: This involves the replacement of only the part of the knee that is severely damaged. Patients who don’t have severe arthritis but have damage in one compartment of the knee are advised this option.
Total Knee Replacement: This procedure involves replacing all three compartments of the knee joint: the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral compartments, to restore function and relieve pain. It is a common practice for doctors to recommend total knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad to patients who have extensive damage to the knee.
The knee replacement surgery is done to alleviate pain and to restore mobility in patients suffering from:
Osteoarthritis: Also known as degenerative joint disease, this condition causes damage to the cartilage—the smooth tissue at the ends of bones in the joint, specifically in the knee, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic degeneration of joints, leading to pain, incapacity and deformities in the joints.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: This condition arises when the joints have suffered damage through some form of trauma like a bone fracture that may later lead to damage in the joints.
Severe Knee Injury: Knee replacement surgery is also advised in cases where the joint is damaged beyond repair, especially through accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
Other Conditions: Conditions such as avascular necrosis (characterised by an obstruction in blood supply to the bone) or tumors in the joint, may also be reasons for knee replacement.
Before deciding on knee replacement surgery, Citizens Specialty Hospital, Hyderabad carefully evaluates medical factors and the patient's overall condition to ensure the best course of action.
Recovery time following knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad varies depending on the individual and the specifics of the procedure. The recovery generally has three main phases:
Initial Recovery: After knee replacement surgery, the focus shifts to three areas: postoperative pain control, increasing physical activity, and starting mobility. The post-operative period may also start with patients utilising mobility assistive devices such as walkers or crutches.
Rehabilitation: Considering the injury caused by the surgery, physical rehabilitation becomes a necessity to regain full range of movement and flexibility of the knee joints and the surrounding muscles. The rehabilitation process begins a few days after the surgical procedure and may last for several weeks.
Full Recovery: Within 3 to 6 weeks, most of the activity can be resumed. During this time frame, the surgical scars will have mostly healed; however, in some people, it may take 6 months to a year to achieve full healing and optimal function of the knee joint.
Prior to the knee replacement surgery, the patient is required to undergo several assessments to ensure they are fully fit for the operation. Some of these assessments include:
Physical Examination: In this case, the orthopedic surgeon conducts a physical examination of the knee joint in order to analyse its movements and overall condition and look for any abnormalities.
Imaging Tests: The joint’s condition and the bone’s quality are usually established by taking X-ray images. In some instances, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) may be utilised to specifically highlight the components of the knee.
Blood Tests: Routine blood tests are done to investigate the patient’s general health, such as kidney status, blood cell count, and any abnormalities related to infections.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): In older individuals or those with a history of heart disease, an ECG may be used to monitor heart health.
Medical History Review: Such information includes, whenever applicable, previous health interventions undertaken by the patient, medications, or illnesses.
Knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad can provide effective relief to patients having severe pain in their knees caused by arthritis or injury. The objective of carrying out this surgery is to relieve pain, restore movement, and improve the quality of life for many people. After successful knee surgery, a large number of patients can expect a better range of motion and improved daily function of the knee, as well as effective post-operative care.
Citizens Specialty Hospital provides a comprehensive approach to knee health along with expert care. The hospital is equipped with the most advanced technologies and a team of skilled orthopedic surgeons who work towards creating individualised treatment plans for each patient. If you are considering undergoing total knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad or want to explore other ways to alleviate your knee pain, the specialists at Citizens Specialty Hospital can assist you in every step of the process towards recovery and a better quality of life.
