Best knee replacement surgeon in Bangalore
Knee replacement surgery is often a last-resort treatment for an injured or damaged knee joint. This procedure takes a few hours, but recovery and rehabilitation can last months. Some of the risks of this procedure are infection, nerve damage, and knee stiffness.
Knee joint replacement is a procedure that involves replacing an injured or ailing knee with an artificial joint, or prosthesis. Another name for this procedure is knee arthroplasty. Knee replacements are a very common surgery. Best knee replacement surgeon in Bangalore.
The prosthesis is made of metal alloys, plastics, and polymers. It mimics the function of a knee. Replacement knees can fit your needs and specifications. When selecting a prosthetic knee, your doctor will take into account your:
- age
- weight
- activity level
- overall health
The procedure to remove your old knee and replace it with a prosthesis usually takes less than two hours, but recovery and rehabilitation can last months.
Purpose of Knee Joint Replacement
Damage from arthritis is the most common reason for knee joint replacement. This includes both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors usually only recommend knee replacement after other, less invasive treatments have failed. First-line treatment options include:
- weight loss
- medications
- physical therapy
- assistive devices, such as a cane or a knee brace
Key factors in determining if you’re a good candidate for knee joint replacement include:
- how much your knee pain interferes with daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
- if your knee is deformed, bows, or “blows out” regularly
- your age
- your overall health
Knee surgery is a typical treatment for people over the age of 55. Younger people who have their knees replaced may outlive their artificial knees and may need a revision.
Doctors evaluate each candidate for knee replacement surgery on an individual basis.
Preparation for Knee Joint Replacement?
Before surgery, your doctor will assess your overall health and anesthesia risks. This evaluation will include:
- a full medical history
- a physical examination
- blood tests
- X-rays
- other imaging tests
Your doctor will ask you for your complete medical history, including any prior surgeries and ongoing health conditions you have. Tell your doctor about any medication you’re taking including over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements. You may have to stop taking some or all of them before your surgery.
Also, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to anesthesia. Your doctor will review your anesthesia options based on your preferences and what they think is appropriate for your situation. This could include general anesthesia, which means you’re asleep during surgery. Or, you may receive anesthesia in your spine, which leaves you awake but pain-free from the waist down.
Your doctor will give your surgeon the results of your medical evaluation, medical history, and your anesthesia choice.
You can expect to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker for several weeks. Before surgery, you should prepare your home to accommodate your recovery:
- You may need to install handles in the showers and around the toilet.
- It’s good to have a chair and footrest available so you can elevate your leg.
- If possible, keep your living space on the first floor if you have a multi-story house.
Your doctor and surgical team will give you full instructions on how to best prepare for surgery. It’s important to follow those instructions as closely as possible.
Procedure
When it’s time for your surgery, you’ll change into a hospital gown and get an IV to provide you with fluids and nutrients during the surgery. Just before surgery, you’ll receive anesthesia.
During the procedure, which lasts between one and two hours, your surgeon will make a long surgical cut above your knee. With the skin and muscle pulled back, they’ll cut away damaged cartilage and bone.
They’ll affix the new knee joint to your femur, or thighbone, and tibia, which is the main bone in your lower leg. They’ll do this using specialized cement, pins, and screws. Afterward, your surgeon will close the incision wound with stitches and apply a bandage.
You’ll recover from the surgery in a special recovery room where a team can monitor your vital signs.
Post Surgery Recovery
After surgery, your leg will feel stiff. You’ll experience some pain. Receiving painkillers through your vein, or intravenously, can help manage this pain. You may receive long-acting local anesthetics at the time of surgery or possibly a nerve block to help with postoperative pain. You’ll also receive medication to prevent your blood from clotting.
Most people begin physical therapy on the day of surgery or the day after their surgery to promote blood flow to the tissues around the new knee. Your surgeon may recommend using a continuous passive-motion machine. This is a special brace-like device that continuously moves your knee in a gentle bending motion.
Your surgeon will let you know when it’s best to leave the hospital. This is based on the results of the surgery and your condition.
Following your surgery, you’ll undergo considerable physical therapy. Your surgeon and physical therapy team will design a program that’s right for you.