Hip Replacement Surgery gets affordable!
A patient’s guide to Knee replacement
Knee replacement is one of the most important orthopedic surgical advances of the twentieth century. People suffering from chronic knee problems need not get crippled by their ailment anymore. Knee replacement surgery can help relive knee pain due to arthritis, cartilage defects, wear and tear of knee due to old age and any other degenerative disorders of the knee. When medications and exercise fail to relive joint pain, its time to consider knee replacement. The cost of knee replacement surgery may be a hindrance to many people suffering from degenerative knee disorders. Medical tourism is a viable option to people for whom the high cost of treatment is the problem. Even the most cost sensitive patient can afford world class treatment in popular medical tourism destinations like India. While the cost of single knee replacement procedure can range from$5000-$7000 in India, the same procedure would cost around $ 19000 in the US. That means that an American patient will pay just one fourth the price he/she would pay back home.
Preparing for the surgery
If you have decided to undergo knee replacement surgery, you have to take up a few tests and a pre-operative consultation with your orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon gathers certain details of your medical history and makes a physical examination of the knee to be operated in order to assess range of motion, stability and strength. An x-ray of the knee is taken to determine the extent of damage of the knee. The doctor may also suggest blood tests, bone scanning and MRI in some cases. After examining the tests, the surgeon will examine the procedure and discuss the potential risks that can occur during or after the surgery. At this point, Get answers to any questions you have regarding the procedure from the surgeon.Variations: Depending on the extent of knee damage, either partial knee replacement or total knee replacement is performed. The knee has three components- the medial compartment, the lateral compartment and the patellofemoral compartment. If only one of the parts of the knee is damages, partial knee replacement is performed, where damaged part of the knee is replaced by an artificial knee-like apparatus. If all the three components of the knee are damaged, the patient has to undergo total knee replacement. Procedure:Before the surgery begins, general anesthesia (put to sleep at the time of surgery) or epidural anesthesia (numb below the waist) is administered to the patient. An incision of 6-12 inches is made in front of the knee. The damaged part of the knee is removed from the surface of the bone and the surface is then shaped to hold a metal and plastic artificial joint. The artificial joint is then fit into place either with the help of cement or special materials. By taking support from surrounding muscles and ligaments, the replaced knee starts functioning a few weeks after surgery. Some surgeons use Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for knee replacement. Under MIS, the size of the incision made in the knee is relatively small, which results in less tissue damage and lesser pain. Also, the patient takes lesser time to recover. You need to stay for about five days in the hospital after your surgery. For the first few days, you may need to walk with the help of walking aids such as parallel bars, crutches or walkers.
Typically, the patient starts walking independently about 6 weeks after surgery. Recovery:
Knee replacement is successful in 90% of the cases. Although the knee replacement surgery reduces knee pain to a great extent and lets you walk and perform other simple tasks without hassles, you cannot expect to become a super-athlete after surgery. You will be advised to avoid certain activities like jogging, high impact sports for the rest of your life. Take steps to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.Care during the first few weeks following surgery has a huge impact on how well your new knee functions. Exercise following surgery is a key player in the success of knee replacement. Some patients also take up massages and spa therapies that aid in relaxation and hasten the recovery process. Take steps to avoid accidents after surgery. Visit your orthopedic surgeon periodically for routine checkups. Knee replacement gives a new lease of life to those whose degenerative knee diseases prevented them from performing even simple activities like walking and standing. With appropriate activity modification, knee replacements can last for many years to come.
