Posted by Knee pain can be excruciating, limit the ability to move, and hinder daily life. For many people, total knee replacement provides a ray of hope, ensuring restored movement and freedom. There is an increasing need for knee replacement surgeries in India and across the globe.
Knee replacement surgery restores the injured or worn-out parts of the knee joint. This surgery helps with excruciating pain, makes movement easier, and brings back joy in daily life. During this surgery, impaired bones and cartilage are replaced with parts made of metal and plastic.
To confirm if knee replacement is the right treatment for you, the specialist examines the knee’s range of motion, stability, and strength. X-rays are taken to determine the extent of damage. Suitable artificial joint and surgical techniques are subjected to your age, weight, scope of activity, and overall health.
Indications of Knee Surgery:
Usually, knee replacements are done to relieve pain caused by arthritis. People generally face problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from chairs. If only one part is damaged, then only that part is replaced; in the case of total joint replacement, the entire joint is replaced.
The procedure and method of knee surgery depend on the damage, i.e., if only one part of the knee is affected, surgeons can often replace just that part. If the entire joint needs to be replaced, the ends of the shinbone and thigh bones are reshaped, and the complete joint is resurfaced. These bones are hard tubes with a soft center. The ends of the artificial parts are put into the softer central part of the bones.
Bands of tissue that help hold joints together are called ligaments. If the knee’s ligaments are weak and cannot hold the joint together by themselves, the surgeon may choose implants that can be connected so they can’t come apart.
But before going for knee replacement surgery, understanding the cost of TKR in India is crucial. It is a permanent solution for long-standing knee pain and conditions. Since this kind of surgery has an almost 100% success rate, many people opt for it and get a permanent solution for their knee joint disease.
Various factors can lead to this surgery,such as
- Severe knee pain and stiffness
- Continuous Pain
- Persistent knee swelling and inflammation
- Chronic knee deformity
- Failure of Medical Remedies
Although age is one of the variables, the main cause of surgery is wear and tear of the joint, owing to any reason. This condition is commonly seen in older individuals; both adults and teens can benefit from this surgery, depending on the assessment of the patient’s condition.
Although the condition is frequently seen in older individuals, both adults and teens may benefit from this operation, depending on the doctor’s assessment of the depth of the patient’s difficulty and the amount of wear and strain on their knee joints.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries
Knee replacement can be further divided into two subcategories:
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery
In this procedure, all three areas (medial, lateral, and patellofemoral) of the knee joint are replaced. This is the most common type of knee joint replacement surgery.
- Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
In this procedure, only one or two damaged areas of the knee joint are replaced. This type of knee operation is usually performed on young adults who have suffered a knee injury or trauma.
India: A Destination for Knee Replacement Surgery
India has become a go-to destination for people needing knee replacement surgery. It is called arthroplasty in medical terms and is performed to restore the functionality of the knee joint. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common yet severe forms of arthritis that hinder the daily lives of individuals. When you have trouble walking straight stairs and even performing basic tasks such as climbing stairs and standing up from a chair and have excruciating and continuous pain, consult an orthopedic surgeon; he might suggest knee replacement surgery.
In this way, you can give yourself a new chance to do your day-to-day activities.
Knee replacement costs in India
| COST | UNILATERAL TKR | BILATERAL TKR
|
| INDIAN | 2-3 LAKH | 4-6 LAKH
|
| INTERNATIONAL | 4000-5000 USD | 9000-10,000 USD
|
In-hospital stays for patients are generally 4-5 days and outside the hospital for 1 week. The total cost may vary depending on the facilities chosen by the patient.
The package for knee replacement includes:
- Preoperative diagnostic tests cost money (such as an X-ray or MRI).
- Surgery costs vary depending on the type of implant.
- Types of Implants (on the basis of brand of implant)
- Post-operational cost (depends on the number of follow-up sessions)
- Physiotherapy (approximately 15–20 sessions are required in the case of total knee replacement)
- Medicine cost (painkillers and antibiotics)
- Patient’s hospital stay
Note: The complete recovery period from knee replacement surgery is generally between 30 and 45 days.
Factors Affecting the cost of knee replacement
The overall cost of the procedure varies from patient to patient, depending on the patient’s condition and preferences. Some of these factors are:
- Selected hospital and room type (general, twin sharing, or single room)
- The severity of the disease
- Post-surgical complications, if any (such as infection, blood clot formation, etc.),
- Cost of blood products (if required)
- Patients age
- An extended period of stay in the hospital
- Cost of accommodation during follow-ups( when not a local resident)
India’s medical facilities in the private sector are on par with those of other affluent countries. India is home to several top-notch medical facilities and well-known physicians with a track record of successful operations and contented patients. Here, you receive world-class treatment and facilities at an affordable cost when compared to other countries such as Russia, the USA, Singapore, and Dubai. India provides a perfect blend of top experts, avant-garde technology, and infrastructure at a cost that is a quarter of what people will spend in other countries.
Conclusion
Before making a decision for your knee replacement surgery, consult various hospitals, compare their costs, and find one that best suits your healthcare needs and budget.
Along with cost, another major consideration while choosing a hospital or doctor is the surgeon’s expertise, hospital facilities, and patients reviews of both the hospital and the concerned doctor.
Remember: A high cost is not always equivalent to a better outcome. Opt for a surgeon and hospital based on their expertise and success rate, not just price.