Knee Replacement Surgery in Hyderabad

Knee Joint Replacement is a surgical procedure beneficial for people suffering from chronic knee issues such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When all other alternatives, like medication and physical therapy, fail to provide relief, and the knee damage is beyond repair, a total knee joint replacement comes up as a viable option.

Pain and mobility issues in the knee joint can affect the quality of your life and can cause difficulty in performing routine tasks. Total knee joint replacement is an effective treatment option for permanently treating severe knee conditions. Constant pain and discomfort can be challenging. With more advancements in medical science, knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad has become much more effective and smoother than before. The use of technologies like robotics has further increased the accuracy of the procedure. 

The knee is one of the largest and vital joints in the human body. Its anatomy is a bit complex. The knee joint connects the femur (the thigh bone) to the tibia (the shin bone). The joint is covered by another bone called the Patella, which is the kneecap. The cartilage present in the knee provides a smooth surface for the movement of the knee joint and protects it from any shocks. The ligaments offer the required support and stability to the joint. The meniscus tissues act as the cushions between the two large connecting bones. The synovial membrane in the knee produces fluids to reduce the friction in the bones. When the cartilage is broken, the bones tend to rub against each other, this membrane reduces the friction by producing the fluid.

Total knee joint replacement is a medical procedure in which the damaged knee is surgically removed, and an artificial one is placed. The goal of this knee replacement surgery is to alleviate the pain while restoring the function of the knee joint. The artificial knee implant that is placed consists of metal and plastic components which mimic the natural movements of a human knee.

A total knee joint replacement surgery in Hyderabad is not suggested for everyone. Some indications that you might need a knee replacement surgery include:

• Severe Knee Pain- If you are suffering from severe knee pain affecting your daily activities, like walking and climbing stairs, then replacement surgery should be considered.
• Stiffness and Swelling- Too much stiffness and swelling in the knee region can cause discomfort. This could be a sign of a damaged meniscus.
• Knee Deformities- If you have knee deformities like knock knees or bow legs, then a total knee joint replacement surgery would be required.
• Inflammation- Chronic inflammation that does not get better with non-surgical treatment options would require surgical intervention.
• Failed Therapy- Elongated medication and physical therapy sometimes fail to provide any benefit to the patient. This is when the knee is damaged, and knee joint replacement surgery is required.

There are a variety of knee replacement surgeries that can be used to address the multiple needs of the patients.

• Total Knee Replacement: The entire knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant.
• Partial Knee Replacement: Only the part of the knee that is damaged is replaced.
• Cemented vs. Uncemented Knee Replacement: The implant is either fixed with medical cement or left like that, allowing the bones to secure the implant.
• Robot-Assisted Knee Replacement: Advanced robotic knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad, which uses robotic technology, provides higher precision and enhanced outcomes.

Before undergoing total knee replacement surgery in Hyderabad, patients should be aware of some of the preoperative considerations. These will help you better prepare for your knee replacement surgery.

• Medical Evaluation: Before the surgery, your doctor will perform a thorough check-up to analyse your overall health. This would include blood tests and medical imaging scans like MRI and CT scans.
• Managing Chronic Conditions: If you have any chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or any heart disease, then it should be controlled before surgery so that there is no problem during your surgery.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding any intoxicating substances like alcohol and smoking is advised to the patients for effective surgery.
• Medication Management: Certain medications like blood thinner medicines, if you consume them regularly, should be stopped before surgery.
• Home Preparation: You will return to your home after the surgery. Preparations like standing bars and shifting your bedroom to the ground floor are to be made.
• Mental Preparation: Understanding that the surgery is a critical one and that the recovery timeline can be lengthy is important. Preparing yourself mentally and consulting your doctor on post-operative issues will help you set realistic goals.

The surgical process involves different steps and can vary depending on your medical conditions. Some of the common steps in a total knee joint replacement surgery in Hyderabad are:

• Anesthesia: The patient is given either a local or a general anaesthesia. As the knee replacement surgery is complex, the patient needs to be under sedation to minimise the pain sensation during the surgery.
• Incision: Once the anaesthesia starts to affect the patient, your doctor will make a 6 to 10-inch long incision in your knee to access the joint.
• Reshaping the Bone: From the incision, the damaged part of your knee, the complete knee joint in case of a total knee joint replacement surgery, will be removed.
• Implant Placement: Once the implant is prepared, it will be placed in the position of the knee joint and fixed with cemented or uncemented techniques.
• Closure: After successfully placing the implant, the incision will be closed with stitches or sutures, and the dressing for the wound will be done.
• Recovery Monitoring: The patient is then carefully moved to the recovery ward to monitor any vital signs.

The recovery period after the surgery is crucial to ensure the success of total knee replacement surgery. The key aspects of recovery and rehabilitation include:

• Hospital Stay: The patient will initially stay in the hospital for around 2 to 3 days for close monitoring, pain management, and to ensure that the wound is healing. Regular dressing will be done.
• Early Mobilization: Patients will be provided physical therapy after 24 hours of the surgery to ensure mobility and check for stiffness.
• Pain Management: A combination of pain management techniques has to be used to ensure the patient feels the least pain. Elevation therapy and ice packs can help.
• Wound Care: It is very important to keep the surgical site infection-free in all ways possible. Regular cleaning and sanitising will be beneficial.
• Follow-Up Appointments: Regular checkups are very important to ensure timely healing and monitor the proper functioning of the implant.

Benefits

• Pain Relief: Most of the patients experience complete or major pain relief after a total knee joint replacement surgery.
• Improved Mobility: Performing daily activities like walking, running, climbing stairs, and sitting becomes much easier.
• Enhanced Joint Function: The normal function and flexibility of the knee joint is restored after replacement surgery.
• Long-Term Results: The implants last for around 15 to 20 years after the surgery is done.
   

Risks

• Infection: If proper sanitisation measures are not taken, the chances of developing infections on the operated site increase.
• Blood Clots: There are chances of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots. However, this is manageable with proper medication and mobility exercises.
• Implant Wear and Loosening: Over time, the implant might wear and tear, which would require changing the implant with a new one.
• Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage: Though rare, the surrounding nerves and blood vessels can get damaged during the surgery.
• Persistent Pain or Stiffness: Some patients might experience some stiffness and discomfort with an implant. 

Gleneagles Hospital is a premier healthcare institution specialising in Total Knee Joint Replacement Surgery in Hyderabad and is famous for its excellence in highly efficient and effective orthopedic care. It is the best knee replacement hospital in Hyderabad. The perks that Gleneagles Hospital offers to its patients include the following.

• Experienced Surgeons: Gleneagles Hospital has highly trained and skilled orthopaedic specialists to perform your knee replacement surgery. You will get treatment from the best knee replacement surgeon in Hyderabad.
• Advanced Technology: Advanced robotic-assisted surgery is done at Gleneagles to increase the precision of intricate procedures.
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Dedicated physiotherapy programs are provided to each patient.
• Patient-Centric Care: Orthopaedic specialists at Gleneagles provide you with personalised treatment plans for enhanced outcomes.