Knee Replacement FAQs

Following are the common questions about Knee Replacement:

1. Why is knee replacement recommended?
2. What are the types of knee replacement surgery?
3. What are the indications of a knee replacement?
4. Are there risks involved in knee replacement surgery?
5. What is the success rate of knee replacement?
6. What questions can you ask an orthopedic doctor regarding knee replacement surgery?
7. What is the cost of knee replacement surgery?
8. What are the types of arthritis that can affect the joints of the knee?
9. Which diagnostic tests are recommended for knee replacement surgery?
10. Is knee replacement surgery painful?
11. Are there any home remedies to cure arthritis?
12. What should I eat during arthritis?
13. Can I drive after knee replacement surgery?
14. What are the most common signs of knee arthritis?
15. What should I avoid post knee replacement surgery?

Q. Why is knee replacement recommended?

A. Knee replacement surgery is usually recommended when an individual is suffering from chronic pain and stiffness in the knee. The orthopedic specialist diagnoses the condition correctly and may suggest alternative methods initially. If medication and physiotherapy are not responding and do not reduce the symptoms, the doctor may advise knee replacement to alleviate the issues associated with knee conditions.

Q. What are the types of knee replacement surgery?

A. There are various types of knee replacement surgeries that are performed with the help of advanced medical technologies. However, there are four significant types of knee replacement surgeries:

• Unicompartmental or partial knee replacement surgery
• Complex or revision knee replacement surgery
• Kneecap replacement or patellofemoral arthroplasty
• Total knee replacement surgery

Q. What are the indications of a knee replacement?

A. The following are the symptoms and signs that may indicate the requirement of knee replacement surgery or medical attention:

• Excessive pain in the knees while walking, standing, climbing stairs, or sitting.
• Any alternative methods such as lubricating injections, physiotherapy, or cortisone injections are not showing any results.
• Any deformation happened to the knee during trauma.
• If you are older in age and experiencing extreme pain during knee movements.
• Any medication and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor are not able to reduce the pain in the knee.

Q. Are there risks involved in knee replacement surgery?

A. It is always advisable to consult an expert orthopedic surgeon for knee replacement surgery. Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is an advanced procedure performed with cutting-edge medical technology that reduces the chances of complications and risks compared to conventional methods. However, like any other surgery they are a few potential risks associated with knee replacement surgery:

• Infections
• Bleeding in the joint during or post-surgery
• Dislocation of the knee cap
• Nerve damage which may result in weakness and numbness around the surgical site
• Ligament or artery damage
• Pain and stiffness after surgery
• Allergic reaction to bone cement
• Excess scar tissue build-up
• A fracture during or post-surgery
• Excess bone formation around the knee implant that may lead to loss of movement

Q. What is the success rate of knee replacement?

A. The success rate of knee replacement surgery is 90%-95%. Most of the patients are able to resume normal activities post knee replacement surgery without any sign of pain and discomfort. Knee replacement surgery is the most effective treatment option with the best results for people whose knees have been worn out due to any medical condition or trauma. However, there are certain factors on which the success rate of a knee replacement may also depend, such as the type of knee surgery one is undergoing, the severity of the condition, the expertise of the orthopedic surgeon, etc.

Q. What questions can you ask an orthopedic doctor regarding knee replacement surgery?

A. There are some questions you can ask your doctor before undergoing knee replacement surgery to understand the treatment better:

• Can my age affect the success rate of knee replacement surgery?
• Are there any alternative treatment options except knee replacement surgery?
• What are the risks involved in knee replacement surgery?
• Will I be able to drive post-knee replacement surgery?
• How is knee replacement surgery performed?
• Will I be able to join the gym post knee replacement surgery?
• When can I resume work post knee replacement surgery?
• Is knee replacement surgery painful?
• Will it be difficult for me to lift heavy objects post-surgery?

Q. What is the cost of knee replacement surgery?

A. The average cost of knee replacement surgery may range from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,20,000. However, the mentioned is an average cost which may differ from a final cost of knee replacement treatment depending on various factors:

• Type of knee implant used during the procedure
• The severity of the condition
• The expertise of the orthopedic surgeon
• The fees of the consultation
• The diagnostic tests one needs to get during the treatment
• Medication prescribed by the doctor throughout the treatment
• The type of technique used during the knee replacement surgery
• The charges of hospitalization

Q. What are the types of arthritis that can affect the joints of the knee?

A. Arthritis is a medical condition in which the patient experiences pain in the joints of the limbs. During arthritis of the knee, the movement becomes painful. An individual can notice swelling around the knee area, stiffness in the knee joints, excessive pain in climbing stairs, etc. There are different types of arthritis that are classified depending on their symptoms and severity:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Gouty arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Q. Which diagnostic tests are recommended for knee replacement surgery?

A. The doctor will conduct a thorough diagnosis to detect the severity of the condition in order to advise the best-suited technique for knee replacement surgery. The diagnosis may include a physical examination, in which the doctor may ask regarding your medical history and will ask you to explain the symptoms and areas of pain. In addition, there are a few diagnostic tests the doctor may recommend during the treatment to find any underlying cause:

• CT scan
• MRI scan
• X-ray
• Lab test for rheumatoid factor

Q. Is knee replacement surgery painful?

A. Knee replacement surgery is an advanced surgical procedure that is performed under general anesthesia, which makes the surgery painless. The surgery is performed with the latest medical technologies that are less invasive than traditional methods of knee surgeries. The modern treatment ensures minimum pain and faster recovery duration. There is a possibility you may experience discomfort post surgery which can be managed by the medication prescribed by the doctor.

Q. Are there any home remedies to cure arthritis?

A. Arthritis is a medical condition that may progress in due time if not taken care of on an immediate basis. There are certain home remedies that may help you reduce the symptoms and pain of arthritis:

• Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet like seeds, nuts, tuna fish, salmon fish, or sardines to reduce the inflammation in the body.
• Intake of vitamin D to build strength in the bones and promote the immunity system
• Massaging the muscles of the joints regularly to soothe the pain and to boost serotonin levels
• Doing minimal exercises like yoga frequently to promote a healthy lifestyle and joint movements
• Try maintaining regular bodyweight as overweight can result in increased pressure on the joints causing complications.
• Adapt aquatic exercises and tai chi exercises to increase flexibility, balance, and muscle strength

Q. What should I eat during arthritis?

A. An individual can add a few food items to their diet if suffering from arthritis. Following food items will help in easing the inflammation and may reduce the joint pain caused by arthritis:

• Garlic has anti-inflammatory qualities
• Add ginger in your soup, tea, or sweet to relieve the symptoms
• Brocolli has sulforaphane that can decrease the inflammation
• Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids that soothe and ease the pain during arthritis
• Add berries to your diet as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

Q. Can I drive after knee replacement surgery?

A. Yes. This is a common misconception that an individual cannot drive post knee replacement surgery. In comparison, the movement in the knee becomes smoother post-treatment, and one can drive without any problem. However, the complete recovery post-surgery may take six to eight weeks. It is always a better option to consult the doctor before driving post-treatment.

Q. What are the most common signs of knee arthritis?

A. If you are experiencing any of the following signs, consult an orthopedic expert for a thorough diagnosis along with the best-suited treatment:

• Pain in the knee
• Crackling sounds in the knee joint
• Locking of the knee joint
• Excessive pain while climbing stairs
• Swelling around the knee joint
• Minimal range of motion

Q. What should I avoid post knee replacement surgery?

A. There are certain things you should avoid post knee replacement surgery to promote healing and for better results. Some of them are:

• Avoid sitting on low furniture to avoid excessive pressure on the knee
• Always use support while walking post knee replacement treatment
• Try keeping your legs straight while lying down in bed
• Do not sit while crisscrossing your legs to avoid complications post-treatment
• Do not skip follow-up appointments after surgery