Painful knees are a common problem in the middle-aged and elderly populations, and the most common cause of knee pain in this population is knee arthritis. There are quite a few treatments for early knee arthritis that can help alleviate pain, and return people to their daily activities. As some point, knee arthritis begins to interfere with quality of life to such a point that something has to change. When treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and physical therapy fail to improve the situation, total knee replacement could be an option

Common Causes of Knee Pain and Loss of Knee Function

The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms.

Osteoarthritis usually occurs after the age of 50 and often in an individual with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The bones then rub against one another, causing knee pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane becomes thickened and inflamed, producing too much synovial fluid that over-fills the joint space. This chronic inflammation can damage the cartilage and eventually cause cartilage loss, pain and stiffness.

Traumatic Arthritis can follow a serious knee injury. A knee fracture or severe tears of the knee’s ligaments may damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limiting knee function.

Recent Advances in Knee Joint Replacement Surgery:

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized knee replacement surgery as well as many fields of medicine. Its key characteristic is that it uses specialized techniques and instrumentation to enable the surgeon to perform major surgery without a large incision.

MIS knee joint replacement requires a much smaller incision, three to five inches, versus the standard approach and incision, which is typically eight to twelve inches. The smaller, less invasive approaches result in less tissue trauma by allowing the surgeon to work between the fibers of the quadriceps muscles instead of requiring an incision through the tendon. It may lead to less pain, decreased recovery time and better motion due to less scar tissue formation.Currently this less invasive procedure is performed by only a small percentage of orthopaedic surgeons in North America. Because this type of surgery is still relatively new, research has been initiated to determine how the immediate and long-term results will compare to traditional surgery.

Type of Knee Replacement Implant:

There are two basic types of implants:

o Cemented Knee Replacements

The most commonly used knee replacements are cemented into the bone.

Cemented implants fit very nicely into position, and are immediately solidly fixed into the bone.

o Press-Fit Knee Replacements

Press-fit implants are designed with a rough surface that bone can grow into. Over time the surrounding bone grows into the implant holding it solidly in position.

What happens during knee replacement surgery?

When a knee replacement is performed, the bone and cartilage on the end of the thigh bone (femur) and top of the shin bone (tibia) are removed. This is performed using precise instruments to create exact surfaces to accommodate the implant. A metal and plastic knee replacement implant is then placed to function as a new knee joint. Depending on the condition of the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap, this may also be replaced.

How long will knee replacements last?

Knee replacement implants can wear out over time. The implant is made of metal and plastic, and while these implants are designed to last many years, they all will eventually wear out. Studies have consistently shown knee replacement implants are functioning well in 90-95% of patients between 10 and 15 years after surgery. Most knee replacements last more than 20 years and many will last much longer. However, it is important to understand that there are potential complications of knee replacement surgery that can decrease the life span of the implant. Because of this, knee replacement should be reserved for older patients with significant symptoms of their arthritis.

Why should one travel to India for Knee Replacement Surgery?

India is one of the most touted destinations in the world for medical tourists. It is known in particular for Knee surgery including Total Knee Replacement, areas of advanced medicine in which India is generally considered a global leader. Most estimates claim treatment costs in India start at around a tenth of the price of comparable treatment in America or Britain. Moreover Indian Hospitals also provides more personalized care than available in west.

India is fast becoming the world’s first choice destination for healthcare services – especially orthopedics surgery. With rapidly expanding infrastructure, clinical expertise and international standard implementation, India is servicing the healthcare needs, at reasonable costs, of international patients from around the world. The cost of Knee Replacement Surgery approximately costs less than $7,000 in India, which is approximately 1/6th cost in US. So that is why India is the most favorable destination for Total Knee Replacement Surgery.

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