Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) involves replacing damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint/prosthesis.
It is recommend when a knee injury or arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis) damages or inflames the knee, thus limiting your ability to flex and extend the knee. As a result, you may face difficulty in performing basic daily activities like sitting and lying down.

1. Total Knee Replacement (TKR)- During a TKR, a surgeon removes the surface of your bones that have been damaged by osteoarthritis or other causes and replaces the knee with an artificial implant that is selected to fit your anatomy. The surgeon uses special surgical instruments to cut away the arthritic bone accurately and then shapes the healthy bone underneath to fit precisely into the implant components.
2. Partial Knee Replacement (PKR) - During a PKR, a surgeon removes the arthritic portion of the knee - including bone and cartilage - and replaces that compartment with metal and plastic components. A PKR surgery offers a few key advantages, including a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and rehabilitation period, less pain following surgery, and less trauma and blood loss. Compared with those who receive a TKR, people who receive a PKR often report that their knee bends better and feels more natural.
3. Revision Total Knee Replacement - In most cases of total knee replacement surgeries, the prosthetic joint lasts for about 20 years or more. For partial knee replacement surgeries, the expected lifespan is 10 years or more. Increased pain or decreased function can point to the prosthetic joint failing. This can happen due to regular wear and tear that occurs with time or incorrect alignment at the time of surgery. For such patients, the doctor may recommend a revision total knee replacement surgery. In this procedure, the existing prosthetic is partially or completely replaced with a new prosthetic as required. Revision knee replacement surgeries are more complex as compared to primary total knee replacement and requires greater expertise.

Delaying knee replacement entails risks such as-

• Deformities developing inside and outside the joint
• Risk of muscles, ligaments and other structures becoming weak and losing function
• Increased pain / inability to manage pain
• Increased disability/lack of mobility
• Difficulty with normal activities such as sitting

Post-operative care is an essential element of the overall treatment. After knee replacement surgery, your surgeon will guide you towards a quick recovery and healing. Here are some steps that will be included in your recovery journey:

• Your orthopaedic team will offer you physical therapy to help strengthen the new joint.
• You will be taught a range of exercises and therapies to promote flexibility.
• Your clinical care team will observe you carefully and remain wary of certain complications.
• You will be expected to visit your doctor for follow-ups post-discharge until you have fully recovered.