1. Lifeline multi-specialty hospital
Perungudi, Rajiv Gandhi road
Tamilnadu, India
T.+91 9176640002 (personal mobile)
27, 1st avenue, Besant nagar
Chennai 600090, India
Mobile: +91 9176640002 & +91 9282165002
Introduction
Total Knee replacement is an operation or surgical procedure to relieve disabling pain from end stage arthritis. Along with High tibial osteotomy, unicondylar replacements, it constitutes the best surgical treatment of arthritis. Total knee replacement is very rewarding as it has a high success rate. In India osteoarthritis of the knee is the commonest indication for a TKR (Total knee replacement) Other indications are rheumatoid arthritis, gout, sero- negative arthritis, post traumatic arthritis.
Cost of knee replacement in India
Private Knee replacement surgery in India is now affordable by most middle class families. Westerners are also enamoured by the cost and standard of surgery. A Normal knee replacement costs about 7500 US dollars. Hi flex knee replacements cost upward of 8500 US$ for a basic package which includes 5 nights in a single room. Oxinium knee replacement costs 11,000 USD. Benefits to the patient are the improved quality of life and restoration of mobility. Abiltity to exercise is beneficial as cardiovascular system is toned up. The musculo skeletal system also benefits as osteoporosis is avoided. Knee replacement thus restores the individuals zest for life and leisure. For patients in the UK, Canada,US waiting lists are too long. They can enjoy their retirement by having their knee replacement done in India with a prosthesis that allows more knee flexion than the standard 110 degrees that most orthopaedic surgeons in the UK promise. Please refer to a knee replacement package from the Home site, Send mail to drvenkat@kneeindia.com
Which knee replacement is ideal for you?
This depends on your age, the degree of involvement of each of the three compartments of your knee, choice of your ortho surgeon and your level of activity. Total knee replacements are ideal for severe osteoarthritis affecting all the three compartments of your knee and rheumatoid arthritis. For unicompartmental knee arthritis affecting the medial or inner half alone there are two options available. One is a hemiarthroplasty with a metal( Unispacer) or a UNIcondylar knee replacement in sedentary ladies. Patello femoral replacements are now back for those cases of severe patello femoral arthritis which have failed to respond to tibial tubercle surgery and lateral release. It is possible to combine a unispacer knee with a patello femoral replacement for the common combination of inner sided wear and knee cap wear. Mobile bearings are available. These reduce the amount of wear and increase the longevity of the prosthesis. The contact surface area is increased in such prosthesis.
Knee replacement surgery in rheumatoid arthritis
Patients afflicted by severe disease are crippled and confined to a wheel chair due to involvement of the hips, knees, feet, shoulders and elbows at a young age. Rehabilitation of these patients is difficult and expensive. Bilateral knee replacements , hip replacements are essential to make them ambulate. Knee replacements in these patients becomes difficult due to soft bone, bone loss, poor skin and immuno supressive drugs. The risk of infection is always higher than in osteoarthritis and antibiotics have to be given for a longer duration post-operatively.
Knee replacements in India and Asia
Patients in India, middle east and east Asia need to squat on the floor for prayer, meals and activities of daily living. They need a lot of knee flexion. They need special consideration and techniques during total knee replacement. A High flexion knee or full bend knee replacement allows bending to 155 degrees. Restoration of full knee function allows squatting, kneeling, climbing stairs.
Technical aspects of the procedure
In this operation the orthopedic surgeon resurfaces the worn out articulating portions of the femur(thigh bone) and tibia(shin bone) with metal components and provides a low friction articulation (Joint) with a polyethylene bearing. I prefer to also resurface the patella in rheumatoid arthritis and osteroarthritis The mechanical alignment of the knee should be simultaneously restored to prevent eccentric loading and optimize function. The opertion I do involves a cut in the skin about 5 inches long. I prefer to spare the quadricps muscle so that you can mobilize earlier and reducing post operative pain. This is the minimally invasive technique of knee replacement. The prosthesis is the same, only the incision is smaller.
