Knee Replacement Surgery - Step By Step

Introduction:

Knee Replacement Surgery(total or partial) is a complex surgical procedure that needs a skilled orthopaedic surgeon to replace the diseased part of the bones with new artificial knee implant, also known as prosthesis.

The orthopaedic surgeon builds the synthetic knee during the procedure by crafting one component at a time and remaking the artificial knee joint.

Knee replacement is indicated if;

You are suffering from severe knee arthritis.

Your pain is preventing you to do your normal activities.

You have difficulty walking, kneeling, squatting

Your symptoms have not improved with other conventional treatments

It is important to know the procedure you will undergo to prepare yourself for the surgery and cope with it for better recuperation.

Step 1: Making you sleep

The anaesthetist shall give you either the general or spinal Anaesthesia to make you fall asleep during the procedure.

Step 2: Incising the knee

The surgeon shall make an incision over the anterior part of your knee which allows easy access to the patella, also known as kneecap.

The incision in typically about 8-10 inches in length in case of traditional knee replacement surgery. In contrast, the incision is only 4-6 inches long if the surgery is done using minimally invasive approach.

Traditional surgeryMinimally Invasive surgery

4-6 inches 8-10 inches

Step 3: Turning the Kneecap

After making incision over the knee, the first exposed part is your patella.

As the surgeon gains access to patella,he rotates it outwards providing adequate room to perform the procedure.

Knee is exposed and patella is rotated outward

Step 4: Preparation of Thighbone

The surgeon then resurfaces your thighbone, medically known as femur.

After carefully exposing the knee joint, the surgeon uses specialized instruments to measure the bone and to cut the damaged bone and cartilage from the base of the femur with utmost precision.

The cut end is then resurfaced for appropriate fitting of the femoral component of the prosthesis.

Excision of damaged bone

Cut ends

Step 5: Fixing the Femoral component

As the femur is resurfaced, the surgeon appends the femoral component made of metal or plastic to the base and fix it into place using bone cement.

Femoral implant

Femoral component of new knee joint

Existing Femur

Step 6: Preparation of Shinbone

Shinbone also called as Tibia is the next bone to get resurfaced.

The upper end of the tibia is made free of damaged bone and cartilage and then it is reshaped so as to fit the tibial component of the artificial knee prosthesis.

Excision of damaged shinbone

Cut ends

Step 7: Fixing the Tibial component

The Tibial component (tibial tray) is then fixed to the upper resurfaced part of the tibia and is glued in place using bone cement.

As soon as the tray is fixed, the surgeon places a polyethylene insert to convene between the femoral and tibial component that acts as a buffer and provides support to your body while bending and flexing your knee.

Existing Shinbone

Metal baseplate

Polythene insert

New joint with tibial component

Step 8: Re-tuning the Patella

The surgeon smoothens the lower surface of the patella and fix it with the added plastic patellar component in order to certify appropriate fit with the rest of implant.

If required, the plastic component is cemented to the bone.

Existing Patella

Plastic patellar component

Step 9: Concluding the Procedure

The surgeon then checks for the proper alignment, working, sizing and positioning of the implant by bending and flexing the knee.

After confirming, the surgeon sutures the incision and dresses it. 

The surgery take approximately 2 hours to complete.

Before After

Life of Implants

Modern day implants have a longer lifeand are known to last for more than 35 years.

We use FDA approved Johnson and Johnson USA made implants which are known for their best quality with life long durability.

Life after Knee replacement surgery

The results are excellent after knee replacement surgery with top orthopaedicsurgeons in India.

You can start moving and walking the next day after the procedure and shall require to stay for 3-4 days in the hospital. You will need complete rehabilitation comprising physiotherapy and exercises to regain the knee strength post surgery. You may expect a pain free knee after complete recovery.

Cost of knee replacement surgery

The cost of knee replacement surgery in India is as low as $5000 as compared to the cost of knee replacement surgery in US, which averages at around $30,000.

IndiCure is the most renowned medical tourism company that offers knee replacement in India at most affordable prices with best orthopaedic surgeons in India.

Note: The cost estimate above is inclusive of airport pick and drop facility, stay at the hospital, free stay and food for one companion, surgeon’s fee, investigations related to the procedure and physiotherapy sessions.

For more information on knee replacement in India, write to us at info@indicure.com or call us at +91 93200 36777 or talk with us at Skype@ IndiCure