Knee replacement surgery should be considered when all conservative measures fail to provide relief. Surgery may be performed for the following reasons: Relieve pain, improve joint stability, improve alignment and correct bone deformity, maximize quality of life, optimize activities of daily living. If your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while you are sitting or lying down.

Robot assisted knee replacement surgery (robotic knee replacement surgery) allows for:

• greater accuracy
• improved safety
• lower risk of post-surgical complication
• lower risk of blood loss during surgery
• shorter recovery time
• shorter hospital stay

• Femoral component: Made of a highly polished strong metal
• Tibial component: Made of durable plastic held in a metal tray
• Patellar component: Plastic
• Bone cement: Used to fix these components to bone

• Medical evaluation
• Physical examination with an orthopedic surgeon and physician several weeks before the single or bilateral total knee replacement
• Investigations: X-ray, blood investigations, ECG, 2D Echo, urine tests
• Dental check-up
• Cardiology check-up
• Additional medical conditions assessment
• Arrangement for blood transfusion
• Medication modification: Medicines like blood thinners should be adjusted or stopped as per physician advice

Surgical time is about 90 to 110 minutes. Along with surgical time, preoperative preparation, anesthesia and recovery stay will keep the patient in the operation room for 3 to 4 hours. In this surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone surface will be removed with a saw, then the new metal and plastic joint surfaces are positioned to restore the alignment and function of your knee.

The patient will have a dressing on the knee to protect the wound. The wound dressing will be changed regularly until it has healed. If required blood transfusion will be done as per hemoglobin levels. Our physiotherapist will help you get up and walk about as quickly as possible. Generally, you’ll be helped to stand within 12-24 hours after the operation. Walking with a frame or crutches is encouraged. Most people are able to walk independently with a walking stick after about 1 to 2 weeks but this can vary depending on the individual. During your stay in the hospital, our physiotherapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your knee. You can usually begin these the day after your operation. It’s normal to experience initial discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen. The stitches or staples will be removed about two weeks after surgery.

Because of modern medicine, the complication rate of knee replacement surgery is less. Some of them are:

• Infection: Can be avoided with modern well-equipped operating room complexes, antibiotics, etc.
• Wound healing problem
• A blood clot in the leg vein, which can be prevented with exercises, blood thinning medication and anti DVT stockings

• Continue to take prescribed painkillers or anti-inflammatories to help manage pain and swelling for the initial days
• Use your walking aids but aim to gradually decrease the amount you rely on them as your leg feels stronger
• Keep up your exercises to help prevent stiffness and do not force your knee
• Raise your leg when lying in bed and use ice packs to help with swelling
• Resume sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs
• Light sporting activities like swimming/golf/driving are permitted after 3 months