Knee replacement surgery also known as knee arthroplasty is a surgical method of replacing the damaged parts of your knee with artificial parts. Knee replacement surgery is most commonly done for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Other major reasons for debilitating pain include meniscus tear, cartilage defects, and ligament tears. Elderly people usually have debilitating pain from osteoarthritis.
Knee replacement surgery consists of two types namely partial or a total knee replacement.
Generally, this surgery consists of replacing the diseased or damaged joint surfaces of the knee with artificial parts like metal and plastic components that are shaped in such a way that it allows continued motion of the knee.
A vast majority of people who have undergone knee replacement surgery see a huge improvement in pain and their ability to get around.
Knee replacement surgery involves a considerable amount of postoperative pain for which you have to undergo vigorous physical rehabilitation. The period of recovery maybe 12 weeks or longer and during this period you have to make use of mobility aids namely canes, crutches, and walking frames so that the patient can return to preoperative mobility.
It is said that approximately 82% of total knee replacements will last 25 years.
The physicians may advise you to undergo surgery for a number of reasons.
- If you are suffering from severe pain and stiffness and it is difficult for you to walk, get out of the chair, or climb stairs.
- If you have nagging knee pain even while you are resting and thus preventing you from sleeping well.
- If your knee gets swollen frequently.
- If physical therapy and medications do not help any longer to control the pain.
Preoperative preparation
Before you undergo surgery, your surgeon will examine you and take your medical history. This physical examination will consist of X-rays and blood tests. From the X-rays, the doctor will be able to assess the degree of damage. The doctor will also figure out the movement of the joint and the strength of the muscles around the knees.
Similar to other surgeries inform your doctor if you are on any medications like blood thinners, aspirin, or other drugs. Also tell the doctor if you have a history of infections, bleeding, or blood clots. You shouldn’t take food for 8 hours before the surgery.
During surgery
Knee replacement surgery has become more common and advanced these days.
If yoU are healthy the surgery will be done as an outpatient procedure without a hospital stay. Otherwise, you will have to stay in the hospital for at least 1 to 4 days.
Just prior to surgery, an intravenous line (IV) might be inserted into a vein in your arm or hand to give you fluids and medicines. They will also shave your skin where the doctor will make the cut.
You will be given general anesthesia to put you in a deep sleep during the surgery.
Surgery can take 1 to 2 hours. The surgery can be carried out in two ways. Firstly, the doctor might make an 8-to 10-inch cut in the front of the knee. Then they will remove the damaged part of the joint and the surfaces of the thigh and shin bone next to the joint. Having done this, the surgeon will implant the artificial knee.
Another method is called “minimally invasive” surgery. In this case, the doctor will make a shorter incision around 4 to 6 inches. This will cause less damage to the muscle and tendon. This procedure is done for a patient who is thin, young, and healthy.
Postoperative Care
You can be on your feet within a day, but you may not be able to do it on your own at first. So you may need a walker, a cane, crutches or parallel bars to get up.
Within a month you can expect a good improvement in flexibility and much less pain within a month. It is important to exercise your knee frequently to strengthen your muscles and to lower down swelling.
You will also need to take help from a physical therapist and go through a series of exercises to strengthen your repaired knee.
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal
Dr Ashok Rajgopal is a well-known orthopaedic surgeon with over 32 years of experience in knee surgery along with vast experience of trauma surgery as well. He is a PadmaShri recipient. Dr. Ashok Rajgopal was appointed as Honorary Orthopaedic Surgeon in 1997 to the then President of India. Dr. Ashok Rajgopal has played an important role in the formulation of the PERSONA Knee system. Dr. Rajgopal has helped sportsperson of international repute like Sushil Kumar(wrestling), BaichungBhutia (Football), P. Gopichand (Badminton) to successfully recover from knee-related sports injuries.
He is associated with Medanta MedicityHospital Gurgaon and MedantaMediclinic Defense Colony.
His areas of interest and service include knee surgery, trauma surgery, trabecular metal implants, bilateral total knee replacement surgery, MIS Unicompartmental surgery, virtual total knee replacement.
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal is one of the most versatile Orthopedic Surgeons in Gurgaon and has an experience of over 32 years. He possesses varied and flawless expertise in the most advanced orthopaedic surgeries.
Dr. Rajgopal had performed 28 Total Knee Replacement surgeries in under 12 hours. Dr. Ashok Rajgopal has carried out the first cement less implants such as Trabecular Metal implants, the first Bilateral Total Knee Replacement surgery and the first MIS Unicompartmental surgery. He also became the first orthopaedic surgeon in India to carry out virtual total knee replacement employing patient-specific instruments.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal has been awarded the Honorary FRCS by the Royal College of Surgeons on 11 Mar 2011. He was awarded the Padmashri by the President of India on the eve of our 65th Republic Day on 25th Jan 2014.
Education
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal completed his MBBS from Pune University, India. He completed his M.S. (Orth) from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and M.Ch. (Orth) from the University of Liverpool. F.R.C.S. (Edinburgh).
MedantaMedicity Hospital, Gurgaon
TheMedantaMedicity Hospital in Gurgaon was mainly started to bring to our country the best standards of medical care and also clinical research. The MedantaMedicity Hospital’s chief principles are to provide medical services to patients with the utmost care, compassion, and commitment.
Medanta has some of the best doctors in the world. These talented doctors belong to different specialties and they are pioneers in their respective fields. Many of the doctors are recipients of renowned awards like ‘Padma Shri’, the country’s highest award for excellence in their respective fields, ‘ Padma Bhushan,’ Dr. B. C. Roy National Award.
MedantaMedicity Hospital is spread across several acres and it is located in the National Capital Region. It houses about 1250 beds. It has over 350 critical care beds. It has 45 operation theaters.
MedantaMedicity Hospital in Gurgaon has a big library to cater to the needs of doctors, nurses, and other paramedical staff. There are more than 2500 books, 700 online journals, and a thesis in the library.
The MedicityMedicity Hospital had started the portal Logintohealth. This portal makes it easy for patients to get connected with the best doctors in hospitals like MedantaMedicity Hospital, Gurgaon. Thanks to the portal Logintohealth.
Logintohealth is a digital healthcare service that enables the patients to interact with the best doctors in the country and get consultations from them. This portal makes it possible for online consultation with the best doctors and patients can get medical advice and opinions online.
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