Lifestyle modifications, Regular physiotherapy, weight reduction, medications and alternative treatments like steroid or other injections into the knee joint can help manage knee symptoms. If your symptoms are not hindering your day to day activities and completely get relieved by physiotherapy, mild pain medications and life style changes then you can live your life with your original knees.

There is no specific age criteria to determine the correct age to undergo knee replacement. But if you have severe pain while standing from sitting, walking up to the wash room, and if you are avoiding social engagements due to fear of pain then you may be a right candidate for knee replacement. Although you will be offered knee replacement after a thorough clinical and X-rays examination by your Orthoexcellence expert. A second opinion is always helpful in deciding the right time.

Commonest cause is Osteoarthritis of the knee joint which is disease of the shiny layer of cartilage covering the joint surfaces which gradually gets softened and destroyed . Other common causes are Rheumatoid arthritis, post traumatic joint arthritis.

The surgeon will give an incision over the front of your knee ranging from 15-20 cm in size and the joint is exposed after moving the knee cap away and the damaged part is removed. New joint is created using metallic and plastic components which are fixed to the bone using a specialized cement. You may hear some noises of powered instruments during the surgery. The surgeon may or may not apply external sutures to close the incision.

Most primary knee replacement surgeries take 1.5 to 2 hours for single joint.

Pain management after Knee replacement has come a long way since its start. With advancements in post-operative pain management the pain is significantly less and controllable with medications. Although you will feel some pain for the first 48 hours after which the pain diminishes off quickly over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. You may be given regional blocks or top up pain medications through a tube left in your back which is removed once the pain is negligible.

Most patients are up and start walking on the day or the very next day of surgery with the help of a walker. A physiotherapist or an Orthoexcellence expert will help you to sit and bend and straighten your knees as tolerated by you. Gradually you will be allowed walking with the help of a stick after a week or so. Pain medication will be stopped as soon as you are comfortable.

You will be given a Orthoexcellence rehab protocol which you will have to follow while at home. You may need or ask for home physiotherapy sessions. You should avoid stairs for few days after surgery. You will need a high toilet seat or a commode and a shower chair for daily needs. Bath will be allowed after all the stiches are removed usually after 12th day. Your surroundings should be neat and clean and free from obstructions and hazards so that you can independently walk without hurting yourself.

You should be able resume most of your daily routine activities after several weeks such as walking, sitting, bathing, cocking. Low impact activities like, light aerobics, jogging, dancing may be doable after 6-12 weeks.

You should avoid jumping, running, cycling on uphill or downhill, and other high impact games.

Past experience with the longevity of knee replacement shows that more than 85% of the people will have a working artificial joint 15-20 years after the surgery. The overall life of artificial joint depends on its it usage and wear and tear with time will affect its performance and lifespan. A revision knee replacement is usually required in those who got it replaced in younger age.