Dr. L. Tomar, a specialist Orthopaedic surgeon has more than 20 years of experience in Orthopaedics.For more info visit our website.

1. What is knee replacement surgery?
As one of the most important weight-bearing joint of the body, knee joint is subjected to a lot
of stress and over a long course of time, can get severely damaged. Knee replacement surgery
is the process in which the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
The artificial joint, known as prosthesis is made of either Teflon or polyethylene.
Kinds of Knee replacement surgery
There are 2 main kinds of knee replacement procedures:
Total knee replacement (TKR) is more common between the two procedures. N this both the
sides of the knee joint are replaced. The surgical time for this is anywhere between 1 to 5
hours. Even with the new minimally invasive technique and small incision, the scar tissue
formed is still large enough to restrict mobility and movement of the new joint, albeit very less.
The implant lasts for 15 to 20 years.
In Partial replacement surgery (PKR), only a part of the knee joint is replaced. The incision is
smaller and the bone removed is also less. Although experts say that PKR is less superior to TKR,
there are a number of benefits afforded by this surgery. When the movement of the knee joint
returns, it is more fluid and natural. Postoperative recovery time is less, patient requires shorter
hospital stay, and blood loss and risk of infection are also significantly less.

2. However, whether the patient requires TKR or PKR is not a matter of choice but rather depends
on the nature and extent of damage.
I have knee pain, should I go for knee replacement too?
Knee replacement is the last resort to resolve knee pain and stiffness. Whether or not a patient
is a candidate for knee replacement surgery depends upon the cause of knee pain and extent of
damage to the joint.
World over, the most common cause of a damaged knee joint is arthritis. In people who suffer
from chronic arthritis, the bones of the joint are severely eroded, the joint cavity is full of debris
from eroded bone and the lubricating fluid (synovial fluid) either is very less or absent
altogether.
When all other methods of treatment, including those to arrest or modify the arthritic process
have failed and the patient’s quality of life has degraded due to pain and loss of mobility in the
joint, only then a doctor will recommend knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement
surgeon in Delhi follows a set of guidelines to determine whether you are a candidate for knee
replacement surgery.

3. How is the procedure done?
Knee replacement procedures today utilize minimal invasive technique and computer
navigation system. The incision here is less that 5 inches long and through this, the surgeon
passes various specially designed surgical instruments inside the joint cavity, including an
arthroscope. Arthroscope is a special instrument with a magnifying camera fitted at one end.
Various other special probes, which are detected by an infrared camera, are attached to the
body and are linked to a computer screen. All this enables the surgeon to guide and control
even the minutest movement and helps in exact placement of the prosthesis in the joint.
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Website: http://www.drltomar.com