Meet Our Expert

Dr. Nishant Soni

An accomplished Orthopedic and Micro surgeon based in Delhi.

He has 20 years of experience in Orthopedics and worked as an expert in different cities of India. He has worked in many reputed hospitals like Medanta The Medicity, MAX Healthcare, etc.

His Robust medical education including MS ortho, Diploma limb reconstruction & fellowship in hand and nerve surgery from the best centers around the world.

Doctor Nishant Soni has contributed to handling numerous complex medical cases in several hospitals. He is known for his attention to accurate diagnosis and for treating patients empathetically.

He specializes in Hip, Knee, hand, wrist, micro-vascular, nerve and limb reconstruction surgeries. He holds a vast experience in complex Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, reconstructions under his belt and the most preferred surgeon for such cases across North India.

Causes –

Different kinds of arthritis can damage the knee joint.

1. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that primarily affects middle-aged and older persons, can result in the destruction of joint cartilage and neighboring bone in the knees.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis, which inflames the synovial membrane and produces an excess of synovial fluid, can cause pain and stiffness.
3. Traumatic Arthritis, or arthritis caused by an accident, can destroy the knee's cartilage.

The purpose of knee replacement surgery is to resurface damaged areas of the knee joint and reduce knee discomfort that cannot be managed with conventional therapies.

Types of Knee Replacement

Your surgeon will propose either a complete or partial knee replacement:

1. Total Knee Replacement. Total knee replacement is the most popular form of knee replacement. Your surgeon will replace all three sections of your knee joint: the inside (medial), outside (lateral), and under the kneecap (patellofemoral).
2. Partial Knee Replacement A partial knee replacement is exactly what it sounds like.When only one or two portions of your knee joint are damaged, your surgeon will replace them. Partial knee replacements are more likely among younger persons who have undergone an accident or trauma.

What problems can be addressed with a knee replacement?

If nonsurgical therapies fail to alleviate severe symptoms such as joint pain or stiffness, a healthcare physician may propose knee replacement surgery.

• Limited Mobility (Difficulty Moving Your Knee).
• Swelling.
• Arthritis is the most prevalent reason of knee replacement surgery. Most patients who opt to undergo a knee replacement have osteoarthritis; however, some persons with rheumatoid arthritis may also need one.It's unusual, however a healthcare professional could propose knee replacement if you've had a bone fracture in your knee that develops post-traumatic arthritis after you've had:
• Automobile accident.
• Fall.
• Sports injuries.

What Happens in Knee Replacement Surgery -

A knee replacement (also known as knee arthroplasty) may be more correctly referred to as a knee "resurfacing" because just the surface of the bones is replaced.

A knee replacement technique involves four fundamental steps:

• Prepare bone. The injured cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and tibia are removed, as is a tiny piece of underlying bone.
• Position metal implants. The cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with metal components that reproduce the joint surface. These metal components can be cemented or "press-fit" into the bone.
• Resurface patella. The patella (kneecap) underside is cut and resurfaced with a plastic button. Some surgeons do not resurface the patella, depending on the circumstances.
• Use a spacer. A medical-grade plastic spacer is placed between the metal components to provide a smooth gliding surface.

Is Total Knee Replacement for You?

The choice to have total knee replacement surgery should be made collaboratively by you, your family, your primary care doctor, and your orthopedic surgeon. Your doctor may recommend you to an orthopedic surgeon for a full examination to see if you may benefit from this procedure.

When Surgery is recommended?

There are several reasons why your doctor may propose knee replacement surgery. People who benefit from complete knee replacement typically have:

• Limited daily activities due to severe knee pain or stiffness, such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting into and out of chairs. It may be difficult to walk more than a few blocks without experiencing substantial discomfort, and a cane or walker may be required.
• Moderate or severe knee discomfort during rest, day or night
• Chronic knee inflammation and edema that does not respond to rest or treatments.
• Knee deformity: a bending in or out of the knee.
• Other therapies, including anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections, lubricating injections, physical therapy, or surgery, did not significantly improve the condition.

Orthopaedic Evaluation

An assessment with an orthopedic surgeon has various components:

• Medical history. Your orthopedic surgeon will gather information regarding your overall health.and inquire about the severity of your knee discomfort and your capacity to function.
• Physical exam. This will evaluate knee mobility, stability, strength, and total leg alignment.
• X-Rays. These photos might help you identify the amount of your knee's injury and deformity.
• Various testing. Blood tests or sophisticated imaging, such as an MRI scan, may be required to establish the status of your knee's bone and soft tissues.
• Your orthopedic surgeon will go over the results of your assessment with you and determine whether total knee replacement is the best way to treat your pain and enhance your function. Other treatment options, including drugs, injections, physical therapy, and surgical procedures, will be evaluated and discussed.
• Your orthopedic surgeon will describe the risks and consequences of total knee replacement surgery, including those connected to the procedure and those that may arise thereafter.

How do I prepare for a knee replacement?

Your healthcare practitioner and surgeon will explain what you need to do to prepare for surgery. To prepare for surgery, you should get a physical evaluation to ensure your overall health.

• Blood test.
• Get an electrocardiogram to monitor your heart health.
• Get a dental checkup to lessen the risk of infection following surgery.
• Imaging studies, including knee X-rays. You may also require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Inform your doctor and surgeon about any drugs and over-the-counter supplements you use. You may need to cease taking some drugs or supplements before surgery.

Your surgeon will advise you on when to cease eating and drinking the day before your operation. Most individuals should avoid eating and drinking 12 hours before their procedure.

During the operation.

Knee replacement surgery typically takes one to two hours. To execute the operation, the surgeon will make an incision over the knee.

• Removes diseased and damaged bone and cartilage while keeping good bone intact.
• Insert replacement pieces into the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap.

What occurs after having a knee replaced?

Following surgery, you will be sent to a recovery room. Your surgery team will monitor you for a few hours to ensure you wake up from anesthesia without issues. They will also check your vital signs and discomfort levels.

Some patients who undergo knee replacement surgery return home the same day. You may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Your surgeon will notify you when it is safe for you to return home.

Results

Knee replacement offers most individuals with pain relief, increased mobility, and a higher quality of life. Most knee replacements are predicted to endure at least 15 to 20 years. Following rehabilitation, you can participate in a variety of low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, golfing, and bicycling. However, you should avoid high-impact activities such as running and sports that require contact or leaping. Consult your healthcare provider about methods to keep active after knee replacement.

Outcomes

How Your New Knee is Different

Although complete knee replacement aims to improve knee mobility, full motion restoration is unusual. The mobility of your knee replacement after surgery can be estimated based on the range of motion you had before surgery.

Most patients should anticipate being able to virtually completely straighten and bend their new knee enough to climb stairs and get in and out of a car.

Kneeling can be unpleasant, but it is not hazardous. Most patients have some numbness in the area surrounding their incisions. You may also experience stiffness, especially while bending excessively.

Most individuals feel or hear some clicking of metal and plastic as they bend their knees or walk. This is normal.

These disparities frequently fade with time, and most patients find them manageable as compared to the pain and restricted function they had previous to surgery.

Your replacement knee may trigger metal detectors used for security in airports and some businesses. If the alarm is activated, notify the security personnel about your knee replacement.

Protecting Your Knee Replacement.

After surgery, be careful to perform the following:

• Maintain your new knee's strength and mobility via frequent mild exercise routines.
• Take steps to prevent falls and injuries. If you break a bone in your leg, you may need further surgery.
• Inform your dentist about your knee replacement. Consult your orthopedic surgeon about whether you need to take antibiotics before dental operations.
• Regularly visit your orthopedic surgeon for follow-up exams and X-rays. Your surgeon will discuss with you the number and timing of these appointments.