A total knee replacement, also known as TKR or knee arthroplasty, is a procedure in which an arthritic knee joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one.
Dr. Bagaria performs robotic knee replacement in Mumbai at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Girgaon.
This procedure may be done when your knee joint is painful or is not working well, and other treatments have not worked. X-rays will corroborate the clinical findings.
Such as paracetamol, aspirin, or other drugs for pain and inflammation.
This means limiting activity, avoiding squatting, stairs and heavy lifting, using a walking aid such as a cane or walker, and using ice to reduce pain and swelling. Some people find heat helpful, so it is worth trying both.
Where arthritis affects only one part of the knee. A partial knee replacement resurfaces only the worn compartment and preserves the rest of the joint.
Because you may need a blood transfusion during the operation or during recovery, you may wish to donate some of your own blood beforehand. Blood should be donated within four weeks of the procedure.
Plan for your care and recovery after the operation, particularly if you are having a general anaesthetic. Allow time to rest, and arrange people to help with your day-to-day duties and care for at least the first week at home.
Follow the instructions given to you by the hospital. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the procedure, not even coffee, tea or water.
Follow your surgeon's instructions about smoking. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery and are more likely to have breathing problems during it. If you smoke, quit at least two weeks before the procedure, and ideally six to eight weeks before. Your wounds will also heal considerably better if you do not smoke afterwards.
A general or spinal anaesthetic is given. A general anaesthetic relaxes your muscles and makes you feel as though you are in a deep sleep, preventing you from feeling pain during the operation. A spinal anaesthetic keeps you from feeling pain during the operation while you remain awake or sedated.
A tourniquet is applied above the knee and an incision made from above the kneecap to below it. The knee joint is exposed, the muscles connected to it are released, and the kneecap is moved aside. The ends of the thigh and shin bones are then removed, and the artificial replacement components are cemented to the remaining bone ends. The incision is closed and a bandage and splint applied around the knee.
You may require a blood transfusion, either your own donated blood or matched donor blood.
As in every other field, technology is helping surgeons improve outcomes by aligning the joint more accurately and customising it to the individual. In appropriate cases, the technology has been shown to reduce blood loss and shorten hospital stay. It is not mandatory to use it in every case, but having it available and deploying it at the right time helps.
Read more about how robotic knee replacement works, including what happens on the day of surgery and what recovery involves.You may be in hospital for one to six days, depending on how quickly you recover. You will start walking with a walker, crutches or a cane as soon as possible.
The replacement knee is designed for normal day-to-day activity. Your movements will be restricted initially and you will need physiotherapy for weeks to months after surgery. Some sports and heavy activities will not be advisable, so ask us if you have questions about a specific activity.
Tell your dentist and your GP that you have an artificial joint. Antibiotic cover may be advised around dental or other medical procedures.
For common questions about recovery, driving and returning to work, see our frequently asked questions.
You may be able to resume a more normal life. The pain and the limited walking distance that come with an arthritic knee should be relieved.
Where arthritis affects both the knee and the hip, see robotic hip replacement .
Consult Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria for a personalised treatment plan and advanced robotic surgery.
Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information about total knee replacement and is not a substitute for individual medical consultation. Suitability for surgery, expected recovery and risks vary between patients and must be assessed by a qualified surgeon. After surgery, seek urgent medical attention for fever, increasing wound redness or discharge, calf pain or swelling, or sudden breathlessness.
Over two decades of orthopaedic surgical
experience
Internationally fellowship-trained in the USA,
Germany and Australia
Surgery recommended only when it is
genuinely the better option
Among India's earliest robotic joint
replacement surgeons
150+ peer-reviewed publications and multiple
device patents
Structured rehabilitation planned before the
operation, not after
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria today
Dr Vaibhav Bagaria
Prarthana Samaj, Khetwadi, Girgaon,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400004
02261305757
