65 Knee Replacement Doctors in Bangalore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Knee Replacement?

Knee Replacement surgery is a method where the damaged knee is replaced to its original position and helps in restoring the knee function. So, this procedure helps in reducing the pain and any disability of the knee. This is also called knee arthroplasty.

How much does Knee Replacement cost?

The expenses for Knee Replacement may vary according to the following factors:

1. Doctor fee
2. Hospital charges
3. Medical condition
4. Type of implants/consumables
5. Type of Knee Replacement Surgery (Unilateral/Bilateral)
6. Lab tests recommended 

The minimum amount to be paid for Knee Replacement in Bangalore starts from Rs.1,43,000

The average charges for Knee Replacement in Bangalore is approximately Rs.2,20,000

The maximum cost for Knee Replacement in Bangalore is up to Rs.3,50,000

Right specialists type for Knee Replacement?

Your doctor would hold an affiliated degree of specialization in Orthopedic Surgery or Orthopedics. Moreover, the doctor may have experience in Knee Replacement surgery.

Is Knee Replacement safe?

The risks involved with Knee Replacement are less and they may differ from one patient to another. However, the knee replacement procedure is often safe in majority of the patients.

How successful are Knee Replacements?

There is almost 95% of success rate for Knee Replacement surgeries with immediate effect in relieving pain and the implants stay in a good condition for almost 10-20 years.

Should I have a Knee Replacement or not?

Knee Replacement surgery may be done if you experience severe pain and stiffness in the knee region while walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair. Pain in the knee while resting or sleeping, and other conditions such as swollen knees, bowed knee, and knee defects due to major accidents should be considered for knee replacement.  In such conditions, your doctor would examine your knees and suggest the surgery.

When should Knee Replacement surgery be done?

The Knee Replacement is major surgery and mostly, it is suggested when other treatments like physiotherapy, steroid injections, medications etc. are not acting/working in reducing the severe knee pain or not helping in improving the knee movement.

Knee Replacement risks?

Any surgery may have risks and complications and the Knee Replacement surgery may include the following risks. Your doctor will discuss all the complications and risks involved in this surgery before undergoing this surgery.

1. Infection of the wound
2. Persistent pain in the knee even after the surgery
3. Unexpected bleeding
4. Instability in the new knee joint implant
5. Maybe nerve damage in the knee joint area
6. Very rarely adverse reaction to the anesthesia

At what age should Knee Replacement be done?

Generally, people who are suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, any severe knee injury will prefer this surgery. So, most people who prefer this belongs to the age group of 50 to 80 years old.

Should I have a partial Knee Replacement?

The knee has three [3] compartments and they are the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral compartment. So, if only any one of the 3 compartments is affected then the partial knee replacement is recommended.

What is total Knee Replacement?

Total Knee Replacement is a medical procedure in which the total knee joint is replaced with an artificial knee joint. This requires major surgery and the patient should stay in the hospital for several days and requires continuous monitoring.

What is Knee Replacement material?

Stainless steel is the most used material for Knee Replacement surgery. Apart from this material, other metal alloys like cobalt-chromium alloys, titanium alloys, uncemented alloys, etc are used.

What is Knee Replacement recovery time?

After the Knee Replacement surgery, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital for about 1-2 days. Most of the patients who undergo this are able to do their daily activities within six [6] weeks and may take 4 to 6 months or a year to recover fully.

Is Knee Replacement covered by insurance?

Knee Replacement may be covered under your insurance depending on what plan you take and from what company are you insured under. 

You may also want to know

Knee Replacement: Overview

Knee Replacement also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the damaged knee is replaced to its original position and helps in restoring the knee function. The damage of the knee usually occurs due to knee injury or conditions like arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which cartilage breaks down and results in rupture of bones within the joint. This may lead to pain, stiffness, inflammation, etc. The other causes of joint damage are torn cartilage, ligament injuries, and dislocated joints, etc. The damage of the knee joint results in the inability to flex and stretch your knees. In such cases, knee replacement is a common solution. 

In Knee Replacement process, a surgeon removes the damaged knee and replaces it with an implant. These implants may depend on various factors like your age, weight, size of your knee, shape, activity level, and overall health, etc. There are certain types of knee replacement surgeries available:

1. Total knee replacement
2. Partial knee replacement (unicompartmental)
3. Kneecap replacement (patellofemoral arthroplasty)
4. Complex or revision knee replacement

Total Knee Replacement

In this total knee replacement process, thigh bone and shin bone are removed where they meet at your knee joint. Then the thigh bone at your knee area is replaced with a metal implant and the knee area of your shinbone with a plastic implant.

Partial Knee Replacement (unicompartmental)

In this process, half of your knee is replaced with an implant. This procedure involves a minor incision with the help of techniques like minimally invasive surgery or reduced invasive surgery. This procedure is preferred when arthritis damages half of the knee or one side of the knee.

Kneecap Replacement (patellofemoral arthroplasty)

In this process, just the underlying surface of the kneecap and its groove are replaced. This procedure is only possible when certain parts of the knee are affected by arthritis. This process is also called patellofemoral joint arthroplasty or patellofemoral replacement.

Complex or revision Knee Replacement

This type of knee replacement is preferred if you are having knee replacement for the second or third time or if there is a major loss of bone due to fracture or severe arthritis, weakness of the knee ligament, or deformity of the knee, etc.

Knee Replacement Indications

Knee replacement surgeries are preferred to the patient suffering from severe pain, loss of flexibility, inability to move your leg while walking, climbing the stairs, and unable to participate in common activities.

Knee replacement is mainly indicated during conditions like:

1. Knee injury
2. Osteoarthritis
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
4. Gout
5. Bone dysplasia (unusual bone growth)
6. Avascular necrosis (a disorder in which there are insufficient blood supply and death of bone tissue in the knee joint)
7. Deformed knee with pain and loss of cartilage

Eligibility criteria for Knee Replacement

Knee Replacement is only considered when there is any of the following conditions:

1. Damage to the knee
2. Deformed knee
3. Severe pain
4. Swelling
5. Stiffness at the knee joint
6. Unable to move your knee joint
7. Reduced quality of life due to severe pain which affects your sleep and makes you restless

Usually, people with the age group of 50 to 80 years are suggested with this surgery due to the severe damage of the knee caused by arthritis. However, your doctor will take a thorough health check-up and examine your knee before asking you to undergo this surgery.

Ineligibility criteria for Knee Replacement

1. Knee Replacement surgery is not for everyone with knee pain. Almost 75% of people who have osteoarthritis may not be needing a knee replacement. The pain associated with osteoarthritis or any other condition should be primarily treated with pain killers like NSAIDs.
2. People with over bodyweight, current health issues, physical strength, cognitive problems, etc should be considered before undergoing this surgery.

Right specialists type for Knee Replacement

Your doctor would hold an affiliated degree of specialization in Orthopedic Surgery or Orthopedics. Moreover, the doctor may have experience in knee replacement surgery. This is much more important if you are having a knee replacement for the second time. 

Preparation for Knee Replacement

Before undergoing this surgery your doctor may advise you to follow some instructions.

1. Inform your doctor and anesthesiologist about your current medications.
2. They may ask you to stop certain medications and dietary supplements before undergoing this surgery.
3. Your doctor may instruct you on the diet that you should be taking before and after surgery. Mostly you will be asked to fast before the surgery.

Steps of Knee Replacement

The procedure for Knee Replacement involves the following steps:

1. An intravenous injection is given to your arm or hand.
2. A urinary catheter may be inserted.
3. Your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels will be monitored by your anesthesiologist.
4. With the help of an antiseptic solution, the surgical site will be cleansed.
5. An incision is made in the knee area by your surgeon.
6. Then the surgeon will remove the damaged knee joint and replaces it with a suitable implant.
7. Then the incision is closed using stitches or surgical staples.
8. A drain may be used to remove the fluid at the site of an incision.
9. A sterile bandage is used as a dressing.

Post-procedure care/ Recovery after Knee Replacement

Recovery time after the Knee Replacement may vary from individual to individual. After the surgery, it takes little time to get back to your normal life and so, post-procedure care is provided to the patients and care provided to an individual is almost the same for everyone.

1. After the surgery, there are a lot of things to be done for your safety, recovery, and comfort. Most of the patients will get a few instructions regarding the medications, nutrition, exercise program, discharge equipment, follow-up appointments etc.
2. Pain may present after the surgery and to manage this pain, your doctor may prescribe medications that help in relieving the pain. Medications like opioids, local anesthetics, NSAIDs are used to improve pain relief. As opioids are addictive, your doctor may avoid these medications.
3. To avoid blood clots and leg swelling, your surgeon may prescribe blood thinners. Few patients may move their knee on the same day of surgery or the day after the knee surgery. Specific exercises are recommended by your physical therapist to improve and strengthen the leg and knee movement and thus helps you to walk normally and to do daily activities soon after the surgery.
4. As the patient spends a lot of time on the bed, due to anesthesia, and pain medications; there may be a decrease in breathing and can lead to pneumonia. So, to prevent this, you are advised to take deep breaths using a spirometer. A balanced diet with the iron supplement is very important in improving the wound and helps to restore muscle strength.
5. A fall during the 1st few weeks after the surgery may damage the knee and may require further surgery. So, one should use handrails, crutches, walker until the knee is strong. Usually, you will be in the hospital for almost 3 to 5 days and depending on the recovery progress, you will be discharged from the hospital. 
6. It is important to follow all the instructions given by your orthopedic surgeon for fast and better recovery after the surgery.

Risks/ complications associated with Knee Replacement

There are few risks and complications involved in the knee Replacement surgery and few of them are the following:-

1. Infection of the wound
2. Unexpected bleeding
3. Blood clots
4. Knee stiffness
5. Maybe nerve damage
6. Severe pain in the knee region
7. Breathing problems
8. Swelling of the leg

Advantages of Knee Replacement

The advantages of Knee Replacement are the following:

1. Most of the patients who undergo knee replacement surgery are able to do their normal daily activities within six [6] weeks and may take 4 to 6 months or a year to recover fully.
2. It improves the quality of life for all ages of patients with restricted knee movement.
3. Knee replacement will improve the movement of the knee and helps to walk long distances with less pain or without pain.
4. It helps in relieving the severe pain and the implants almost last for up to 20 years and support the patient to do daily activities without suffering from severe pain.

The success rate of Knee Replacement

The Knee Replacement is very successful and has high patient satisfaction rates. There is almost 95% of success rate with immediate effect in relieving pain and the implants stay in a good condition for almost 10-20 years.

Options if Knee Replacement is not successful

There may be a chance for Knee Replacement failure and it might be due to the infection, loss of range of motion, improper placement of the knee implants, and bone loss. So, in such cases, second knee replacement surgery may be required as per the doctor's advice.

Alternatives of Knee Replacement:

Treating knee pain with medications should be the priority rather than Knee Replacement surgery. So, some of the alternative treatments for knee pain are the following:

1. Weight loss
2. Exercise
3. Knee injections [hyaluronic injections] that can lubricate the knee joint
4. Cortisone shots at the site of inflammation
5. Pain relievers and creams or topical gels
6. Acupuncture
7. Plasma rich protein injections
8. Knee osteotomy

If the pain is more severe and persistent, then consult your doctor for advice to choose the best option to relieve the pain and to treat the restricted knee movement.