If you are advised Knee Surface Replacement surgery, you may want to know more details about it. Here we list the most commonly asked questions about Knee Replacement (commonly called Total Knee Replacement) and their answers. If you want any further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask either Dr. Rakesh Rajput or one of his associates.replacement surgery in kolkata
Q. At what age does arthritis pain start ?
A. Above the age of 35, about 30% of people suffer from painful joints due to arthritis.
Q. What are the types of Arthritis ?
A. There are mainly two types of arthritis. Osteoarthrosis means wear and tear due to ageing and joint abuse. The other common type of arthritis is called Rheumatoid arthritis, which behaves like an allergy.
Q. At what age can joint replacement be done? Can it be done for children ?
A. Joint replacement is ideally done for patient above the age of 60 years. It may be done between ages of 40 and 60. It is rarely done between ages of 20 and 40. It is never done in children.
Q. What are the commonly used materials for joint replacement ?
A. Commonly used materials for joint replacement are stainless called Cobalt Chrome Alloy and Plastic called Ultra High Molecular Weight High Density Polyethylene.
Q. What is the average time taken for joint replacement surgery ?
A. The average time taken for joint replacement surgery is 1 hour 20 minutes
Q. What is the average hospital stay recommended after joint replacement?
A. The hospital stay is for five days after single joint replacement.
Q. When do exercise programme start after joint replacement ?
A. Exercises on CPM start within a day after joint replacement, while walking is started 2 - 3 days after joint replacement.
Q. Does one need some support of walker or stick after joint replacement ?
A. You may need support of walker or walking stick after joint replacement depending on whether other joints are affected.
Q. Can a person with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble undergo joint replacement ?
A. Even a person with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble can safely undergo joint replacement surgery under medical supervision.
Q. What are the precautions to be used after joint replacement ?
A. It is advisable to use commode, avoid sitting on floor, jogging, running and fast sports after joint replacement surgery. Moderate speed walking, climbing stairs and swimming are permitted.
Q. Can a patient be operated for both joint replacement at the same time ?
A. Usually one joint is resurfaced at a time, but if the patient is fit, both knees or both hips may be resurfaced in one sitting.
Our centre has performed the largest number of successful two knee surgeries in one sitting.
Q. What are the common complications after joint replacement ?
A. The complications after joint replacement are Deep vein thrombosis and Infection.
Q. What precautions are taken to prevent these complications ?
A. To prevent deep vein thrombosis, early exercises are started. At our centre a special instrument called "Calf compression device" is applied to legs, which gently massages the legs and pushes the blood back towards the heart, thereby preventing blood clots.In some patients specialised medication is administered. At our centre to prevent infection,the surgical team wears special gowns called "Space suits". Also the surgery is carried out in specialised operation theatre and antibiotics are given pre-operatively.
Q. Can these operations be done in any Nursing home or Hospital?
A. No, This is a specialised surgery, which requires special set up including proper operation theatre, pre-operative intensive care unit, trained nurses and technicians and expert physiotherapist to achieve desired results.
Q. How much does the surgery cost?
A. The cost depends on the type of Implant, the type of room that you select and your medical condition. Before surgery, a budget can be drawn out.
Q. Is it covered under Mediclaim?
A. That will depend on the Mediclaim policy.
