Things to know about Total knee Replacement surgery procedure and post surgery care

People around the world especially in developed countries are suffering from arthritis and knee arthritis being the most common type of arthritis that the people are suffering from. Irrespective of the country that the person belongs to, be it the most developed of nations to the third world country like India, people are equally affected with arthritis. Arthritis can make the normal of an individual difficult as the person is no longer able to perform his/her regular activities easily and pain while trying to walk long, exercise or even trying to bend the knee for any activities becomes painful and the person thereby restricts himself from such body movements that causes pain to them. The general symptoms that the person experiences becomes worse when the person accidentally puts on weight. The pain exponentially becomes unbearable. The weight gain then even makes the daily essential activities of the person difficult and painful, which leaves no other way for the person other than going for a total knee replacement surgery. Majority of the individuals who undergo total knee replacement surgery gives a major relief in the pain that was the major reason for them to undergo the surgery. Knee replacement can be total knee replacement where the entire knee is replaced, partial knee replacement which involves the replacement of the affected part of the knee and bilateral knee replacement involves the replacement of both the knees. The best knee replacement surgery hospitals in India have developed modern methods of surgery, modern equipment and advanced machinery, which helps in performing the surgery with precision.

Procedure:

This surgery is not the most complicated of the surgeries that are performed by the surgeons these days, and hence do not require the patient to spend prolonged days at the hospital for total knee replacement surgery in India. The number of days at the hospital can vary between 2-5 days post the surgery. The patient is subjected to a combination of anesthesia, peripheral nerve block and spinal anesthesia.  The patient can also be injected with a dose of antibiotics to reduce the risk of any infection at the site of surgery. The procedure involves the removal of diseased cartilage and the bone from the knee and replacing them with the metal implants. A very specific special plastic is used to remove the backside of the kneecap and then this plastic material is placed between the two metal implants. This forms a smooth surface between both the implants at the knee joint and allows the knee to flex and bend more freely without any pain. The knee replacement surgery cost in India is kept in such a way that it is accessible to a wider group of people including the weaker sections.

Post surgery:

The stay at the hospital is short and thereafter a physical therapist might assist the patient in the post surgery therapy that includes weight bearing, standing and walking. The patient is made to get adapted with the implants, so that he/she can have hassle free movement of the knee thereafter. A number of basic exercises are suggested to the patient to perform at home. The diet, medicines and the exercises helps the patient gain strength to walk properly without any pain and discomfort. The person can also use a cane or a walker in the early days post the surgery for support for a short period of time.

Complications:

The surgery is mostly risk free and involves no major risk and complication but there are few issues can occur in some cases, which includes:

·        Infection at the site of surgery can be a very common issue that can occur but it can be treated using antibiotics.

·        The patient might in some cases experience pain in the knee post the surgery as well

·        Post the surgery, some might experience stiffness in the knee while walking and bending.

·        Blood clots can be formed at the site of surgery if the excess of blood is not taken good care of.