10 Essential Things to Know Before Going for Robotic or Non-Robotic Knee Replacement Surgeries
When one is dealing with end-stage osteoarthritis, the procedure for knee replacement is recommended, especially when a degenerative disease of a joint occurs, leading to debilitating pain and loss of movement. Unfortunately, it is among the most common operations performed throughout orthopedics worldwide. It is a surgical procedure to relieve chronic knee pain and restore movement and walking ability. A knee replacement is one of the better methods to improve the quality of life for many patients, particularly for patients who did not respond well to conservative treatment.
If you are also thinking of having a knee replacement, firstly, you must understand the various treatment options available. So, to help you, we have discussed a few important things to consider regarding Knee Replacement Surgery, eligibility, recovery, and long-term expectations.
1. What is Robotic and Non-Robotic Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement surgery is primarily meant to replace damaged surfaces of the knee joint and create an artificial joint out of metal or plastic. These artificial materials are kept smooth so that joint motion can occur and can remain pain-free.
There are two main types of knee surgery:
- Total knee replacement (TKR): surfaces the entire joint, including the femur, tibia, and patella.
- Partial knee replacement (PKR): only surfaces part of the joint surface; this is usually in patients with limited damage to the joint, most commonly damage to just one compartment of the joint.
Imaging findings and ligament quality will usually be taken into consideration when the surgeon considers the degree of osteoarthritis to decide whether to proceed with total versus partial knee replacement.
Robotic joint replacement surgeries are performed with the help of Mako Stryker Robot from USA at Zydus. They are done for precise treatment as the system offers accurate imaging based on CT scan planning, with minimum damage to soft tissue and less pain, quick recovery, and that too with a marginal cost difference to traditional surgeries.
Both Robotic and Non-robotic surgeries have been performed for more than two decades.
2. When is Total Knee Replacement Appropriate?
Surgical total knee replacement is often considered a procedure of last resort when all non-operative treatments have been tried. This is advised after an inflammation, acute pain, and movement discomfort.
Common indications for total knee replacement include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
Patients are assessed historically, clinically examined, and undergo a standing X-ray. In the case of complex deformity or revision arthroplasty, advanced imaging may be required. Here, the robotic CT scan comes in handy to plan the surgery step by step.
3. Select the Right Surgery: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement
In collaboration with your knee replacement surgeon in Ahmedabad, the decision between partial knee replacement surgery and total knee replacement surgery is made after thorough discussions about the issues surrounding your knee, the rationale for surgery, and establishing an appropriate treatment plan. Many issues will affect your surgeon's choice, including;
- Age and activity level
- Severity and extent of the arthritis
- Number of compartments involved in the joint
- Stability of the ligaments
- Existing medical problems
At Zydus, the team of doctors decides on whether the patient needs total or partial knee replacement, based as mentioned above.
4. Pre-operative Preparation
Preparation is an important factor in how one will recover after surgery. Patients are usually encouraged to:
- Pre-operative physiotherapy: improves to know the muscle strength around the joint and prepares the body for rehab post-surgery.
- Medications: especially if you take any blood thinners, diabetic medications, and heart medications.
- Pre-anaesthesia assessment: an ECG, blood tests, ECHO, and a cardiology or medical review will contribute to having safer surgery.
Many of these preparations will decrease some of the potential risks and allow one to heal in a more orderly pattern.
5. What is The Procedure?
When it’s a total knee replacement surgery, the surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone surfaces and replace them with metal surfaces. These metal surfaces are specifically shaped to replicate the original joint surfaces of the knee. This surgery generally takes about a few hours. It takes place under either spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia.
After surgery, the surgeon may place a drain to facilitate the removal of excess fluid that gathers in the joint area and will usually put on a dressing to the surgical site. We at Zydus offer robotic knee replacement surgery in Ahmedabad, where the use of computer navigation systems performed by the surgeons provides more accurate placement of the implant with better outcomes, less pain, and faster recovery.
6. Possible Risks and Complications
The knee replacement surgery does carry risks like any other surgical procedure, but serious complications are very rare given the care taken and experience of our surgeons. Risks can include:
- An infection at the incision
- Deep venous thrombosis (Blood clot in the leg)
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Loosening or malfunction of the implant or improper placement of the implant
- The risk from anaesthesia or cardiac risks in patients who are high-risk
It is important to discuss your health conditions and precautions with your knee replacement surgeon so that those risks can be minimised.
7. Recovery from Post-Acute Care
Post-surgical recovery begins hours after the surgery is completed. A typical hospital stay at knee replacement hospitals will include:
- 3 to 4 days for one knee
- 5 to 6 days if both knees are completed.
- Sometimes, even one day in robotics
- People also start walking a few steps on the second day after the robotic procedure
During the stay under traditional methods:
- Pain relief may involve the use of one or more treatments like nerve blocks, oral analgesics, or local measures.
- Mobilisation starts early, usually within the first 24 hours, so as to prevent stiff swells.
- The physiotherapist progresses therapy each day to promote strength, balance, and mobility.
8. Long-Term Recovery and Rehabilitation
Generally, it takes 8 weeks to 6 months for full recovery. This time can be different according to the patient’s general health, age, motivation, and willingness to follow through with rehabilitation.
But, most of the patients…
- Use the walker during the first week
- Use a cane or independently ambulate in 4 to 6 weeks
- Return to low-impact activities, such as cycling, swimming, and walking, within 3 months
Patients with good muscle tone pre-operatively and who follow through with post-operative physiotherapy tend to recover much quicker.
9. Longevity and Performance of Implants
Contemporary knee implants have a projected duration of life of 15-20 years, and depend on:
- Type of implant
- Quality of surgical technique
- Weight and lifestyle of the patient
Your orthopaedic surgeon will perform periodic follow-up X-rays and refer you to check in periodically to assess the condition of the implant. They will also advise the avoidance of high-impact activities such as squatting or sitting cross-legged, in order to minimize the stress on the knee joint.
10. Life After Knee Replacement: What to Expect
After successful surgery of your knee joint, the majority of patients enjoy fantastic outcomes:
- Substantial reduction in joint pain
- Improved range of motion
- Greater independence in activities of daily living
Make sure that the long-term benefits are fully maximized:
- One should maintain a healthy body weight to reduce undue stress on the joint.
- One must avoid high-impact exercises like running or jumping.
- One should always wear supportive and comfortable shoes that include shock-absorbing properties.
- And finally, do not miss the physiotherapy and exercise program.
Final Take
While doing your research on knee replacement, you probably want to make sure that you have the correct knowledge. Whether you are going to choose conventional knee replacement or robotic knee replacement in Ahmedabad, the entire treatment process, from pre-operative treatments to post-operative treatments, allows you to have the right information to make the best decisions regarding your health.
Keep in mind - the success of your knee replacement surgery is dependent on the knee replacement surgeons and the technological advancement with a modern facility for rehabilitation, and one can enjoy all of this at Zydus, which offers comprehensive joint care under one roof.
