Orthopaedics
Knee Replacement Surgery
Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial implants, performed to relieve pain and restore function in patients with severe knee arthritis or joint damage.
Ready to talk?
Book a knee replacement surgery consultation with Dr. Nirmal Patil, MS (Ortho) in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
How It's Performed
Under anesthesia, the damaged cartilage and bone at the end of the femur and top of the tibia are removed and resurfaced with metal and plastic prosthetic components that recreate the knee joint's movement.
What happens, step by step
- Pre-operative assessment: examination, X-rays, blood tests and an anaesthesia fitness check, with any medical conditions optimised first.
- Anaesthesia: usually spinal or general, with a nerve block for pain control afterwards.
- Preparing the joint: the damaged cartilage and a thin layer of bone are removed from the thigh bone and shin bone using precise guides.
- Fitting the implant: metal and plastic components are positioned and fixed, and the knee is tested through its full range of movement.
- Closure and early mobilisation: patients are usually helped to stand and take first steps the same or next day.
Conditions Treated
- — Severe osteoarthritis of the knee
- — Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knee
- — Post-traumatic arthritis
- — Advanced joint degeneration unresponsive to conservative treatment
Benefits
- — Significant relief from knee pain
- — Improved mobility and joint function
- — Correction of knee deformity in suitable cases
- — Ability to resume daily activities
Who May Need This Treatment
- — Knee pain that limits walking, stairs, sleep or daily independence despite proper non-surgical treatment
- — X-rays showing advanced arthritis, with the joint space largely lost
- — Stiffness or deformity (bow-legged or knock-kneed) that keeps worsening
- — Pain that no longer responds adequately to medication, physiotherapy or injections
Recovery
Recovery typically involves early mobilization with a physiotherapist, a structured rehabilitation programme, and a gradual return to normal activity over several weeks to months, depending on the individual.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day 0-2 | First steps with a walker; pain control; hospital stay for monitoring |
| Weeks 2-6 | Walking with a stick, stairs with support, structured physiotherapy |
| Weeks 6-12 | Most daily activities resume; driving when cleared by the surgeon |
| Months 3-12 | Strength and confidence keep improving; low-impact activity encouraged |
Typical recovery timeline — individual recovery varies
Is This Right For You?
Not every patient with severe osteoarthritis of the knee or a related condition needs knee replacement surgery. Dr. Nirmal Patil, MS (Ortho) reviews your symptoms, clinical examination, and imaging to confirm whether this is the right approach for you, or whether conservative treatment is more appropriate.
Alternatives to Consider First
Before replacement is considered, most patients try weight management, strengthening and low-impact exercise, walking aids, anti-inflammatory medication, and sometimes injections. Replacement is offered when these no longer give enough relief.
Risks & Considerations
Knee replacement is a well-established operation, but like any major surgery it carries risks including infection, blood clots, stiffness, persistent pain, and implant wear or loosening over the long term. These are discussed in detail before surgery, along with the steps taken to reduce them.
Questions to Ask at Your Consultation
- — Is my knee at the stage where replacement makes sense, or could I wait?
- — Which implant do you recommend for me, and why?
- — What will my itemised cost and cashless options look like?
- — What does the first six weeks of recovery involve at home?
Knee Replacement Surgery in Wakad, Pune
Dr. Nirmal Patil, MS (Ortho) has 16 years of experience in spine and orthopaedic care and consults at Precision Ortho Spine & Rehab Clinic, Vishnu Dev Nagar, Wakad, Pune. Patients travel from Wakad, Hinjewadi, Baner, Pimple Saudagar, Punawale, Ravet and across Pimpri-Chinchwad. Every recommendation begins with a proper examination and imaging review, and you are given a clear explanation of your options, including non-surgical ones, before any decision is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is total knee replacement surgery?
It is a procedure that replaces the worn or damaged surfaces of the knee joint with an artificial implant to relieve pain and restore movement.
Who needs a knee replacement?
It is typically considered for patients with severe knee arthritis or joint damage causing significant pain and disability that has not responded to medication, physiotherapy, or other conservative treatments.
How long do knee implants typically last?
Modern knee implants are designed to last many years, though the exact lifespan varies with the patient's activity level, weight, and overall health — your surgeon can discuss expectations specific to your case.
Is knee replacement surgery painful?
As with any major surgery, some post-operative pain is expected and is managed with medication; most patients find pain improves significantly compared with their pre-surgery arthritis pain.
When can I walk after knee replacement surgery?
Many patients begin walking with support, such as a walker, within a day of surgery, with weight-bearing and mobility increasing gradually under physiotherapy guidance.
How much does knee replacement cost in Pune?
Cost depends on the implant, hospital and room category, surgeon's fee, length of stay and insurance. Because these vary case by case, an accurate estimate is given after examination and X-rays.
Can both knees be replaced together?
In selected fit patients both knees can be done in one sitting or as staged surgeries; your surgeon advises which is safer for you.
Will I be able to kneel or sit cross-legged afterwards?
Many patients manage most daily positions, but deep kneeling and cross-legged sitting can stay limited or uncomfortable; expectations are discussed before surgery.
Discuss your case with Dr. Nirmal Patil, MS (Ortho)
Every case is different. Book a consultation to review your symptoms and imaging.