Knee replacement surgeon in Delhi NCR

Dr. Attique Vasdev

Senior Director - Orthopaedics, Medanta

MBBS, MS - Orthopaedics Orthopedist 29 Years Experience Overall Specialization and Expertise Knee Replacement, Sports Injuries, Ligament Reconstruction of Knee

Dr. Brajesh Koushle

ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR ORTHOPAEDICS Fortis Hospital, Noida

MBBS, MS - Orthopaedics Orthopedist 25 Years Experience Overall Knee Replacement Surgery Total Knee Replacement Total Hip Replacement

Dr. Ramneek Mahajan

Senior Director (Orthopaedics) & Head Joint Reconstruction (Hip & Knee) Unit

MBBS, MS - Orthopaedics Orthopedist 23 Years Experience Overall Orthopedic physical therapy,Foot Injury Treatment,Back Pain Physiotherapy,High-Risk Wound Care and Spondylosis etc.

Dr Narayan Hulse

Director - Department of Orthopedics, Bone & Joint Surgery

MS - Orthopaedics, DNB - Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery, MRCS (UK), FRCS - Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery, MS - Orthopaedics, MBBS Orthopedist 22 Years Experience Overall

Dr. Prashanth Nagaraj

Orthopedics and Trauma

MBBS, MS - Orthopaedics Orthopedist, Joint Replacement Surgeon, Sports Medicine Surgeon 23 Years Experience Overall Joint Replacement Surgeon

Knee replacement surgery second opinion

Anatomy of Knee

Knee is a joint joining the two bones, Femur (thigh bone) and Tibia (shin bone). It is also the largest and complex joint in the body. It’s function is to assist in several physical activities like walking, running and many more.

The femur and tibia along with a bone which runs alongside with tibia called fibula and patella (kneecap) makes up the knee.

Tendons and ligaments joins the knee and provide support and stability to the knees. Ligaments prevents femur and tibia to slide over each other.

The edges of the bones that joins together has articular cartilage, a smooth lubricant that reduces friction among bones and make movement easy.

The C shaped structure is called menisci and is found between the femur and tibia. They act as a “shock absorbers”.

The knee draws its power from the long thigh muscle. Synovial membrane covers the entire knee and secretes a fluid that lubricates the cartilage.

If the above mentioned parts are working properly then your knee is also healthy.

Causes of knee pain

The main cause of degradation in the function of the knee is Arthritis. In India, arthritis is the most common condition in orthopedic department.

The three common types of Arthritis are

Osteoarthritis: This happens due to age where the cartilage gets torn out and the two bones rub against each other causing pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The synovial membrane becomes unable in producing lubrication which in turn damages the cartilage.
Post-traumatic arthritis: As the name suggests damage to cartilage, ligament or muscle due to some accident causing distress and knee pain.

These are some major reason for your orthopedic surgeon to recommend knee replacement surgery.

The surgery

After the incision has been made on the surgical site the first is to:

remove out the damaged cartilage or other parts of the knee. This is done to prepare the site for attaching prosthesis.
knee implants made up of metal is then positioned at the surface of the joint. Usage of cemented prosthesis is common which has surgical cement to hold the implant on the joint.
Then other changes are made depending upon the condition like resurfacing the Patella.
plastic spacer is placed finally between the metallic components to make less friction and smooth motion.

Post surgery

Post surgery you’ll be kept under observation in a recovery room where you’ll be encourage to move your foot and ankle which increases the blood flow in the leg.

Depending upon the condition you’ll have to stay in the hospital. Some get discharged the same day as the surgery. The physiotherapist will laid down some leg exercises which need to be followed at home for better recovery.

Once you return home, it is critical to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Follow the medication and physical exercise for regaining strength.

You’ll have to be cautious while bathing and while walking. Use crutches, cane or walker to walk.

Realistic expectation from surgery

There is no doubt that the knee replacement surgery helps in eliminating extreme pain and improving the mobility and ability to walk again. But the knee replacement surgery still falls short than the natural capabilities.

The plastic spacer has its own life after which the spacer starts degrading. Excessive running, walking or overweight can cause early damage to the spacer. Hence, you’ll have to give up running, jogging or playing, for the rest of your life.

Indulging in low impact activities will do no harm to the spacer.

Is this surgery for you?

The decision to undergo knee replacement surgery must be a collective decision by the patient, his family and the doctor.

The doctor may recommend surgery if you are suffering from

Severe knee pain restricting your day to day activities.
if the pain is unfazed by the medication or rest.
Swelling of knees, deformity in appearance or inflammation is felt and are not subsiding by medication, injection or other treatments.

SSO Trackrecord in Knee replacement

According to the data present at the SSO database, the most common age group for the knee replacement surgery are between 50 to 75. SSO has successfully performed knee replacement ranging from young teenager to senior citizens.

Possible complication/risk

Knee replacement surgery falls under the category of such surgeries that poses a very low rate of complication. Existing chronic diseases or comorbidity can increase the risk for complication. These complication hinder in recovery post surgery, some are laid down below like

INFECTION: Only about 2% patient develop infection post surgery. Infection usually occurs on the surgical wound. Depending upon the magnitude of infection antibiotics or surgical methods are used to eliminate the infection.

BLOOD CLOTS: It has also been observed that some patients experience blood clot in their leg veins. You will be prescribed blood thinning pills along with some leg exercises to improve the circulation.

IMPLANT ISSUES: Although the implants have been upgraded over time and are now very much advanced but then also it may happen that implant may get displaced or wear out with time. The surgeon will guide you from this.

Also, all the other risks must be taken into the account which are almost common among any kind of surgery like damaging the nerves or blood vessels around the surgical site.

Preparation before surgery

Apart from the medical preparation like getting all the test done, medical, urinary and dental evaluation completed, you will also have to prepare for things beyond it like

if you are living alone then a ride back to home post surgery
arrangement for cooking your food
arrange a helper or a caretaker to navigate you though the day
arranging you household and necessity item such that you don’t have to climb stairs
beforehand arrange for a walker or a cane to assist you in walking while recovery from the surgery.

Outcome

You may not attain full natural motion back but you surely be free from pain and stiffness which were restricting you from walking, running, climbing stairs or getting out of car.

Most people will feel the metal clicking while bending the knee or while walking and they get used to it. Also, your new knee may come under metal detector as red at security check-in, so kindly inform the official about your surgery.

Protecting your knees post surgery becomes very vital in increasing its life. More than 90% of the knee implants lasts longer than 15 years provided you indulge in light exercise, take precaution to prevent injury or accident.

These all factors play role in the success of the knee replacement surgery.

Surgery Second Opinion