What are the different types of knee surgery?

Do you know that the cost of knee replacement surgery in India is one of the competitive things in the world? It costs lower as compared to other western countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Singapore, and other developed countries.

People prefer to get treated for their knee problems in India due to availability of skilled orthopedic surgeons and hospitals well-equipped with the latest technology as they help in improving quality of life in more than 95% of cases.

When is knee replacement surgery necessary?

A knee replacement is a complicated surgical procedure to replace the damaged parts of the knee joints to improve its functionality and relief from progressive pain. It helps patients to relief from osteoarthritis and other knee-related problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

What are the different types of knee replacement surgeries available?

Depending on the patient’s needs, there are four types of knee replacement surgeries and they are:

1. Total Knee Replacement (TKR): Total knee replacement, also termed as arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which diseased joint is replaced with an artificial joint. It is recommended for people with osteoarthritis when a patient’s knee problem starts disturbing his/her daily routine activities and pain becomes persistent. More than 90 percent of people who have undergone total knee replacement have experienced a drastic improvement in their knee movements.

2. Partial Knee Replacement: It is a surgical procedure in which only damaged parts of the knee are replaced and not the whole of it. It helps restore the movements and functionality of the damaged compartments of the knee. It is an alternative to the total knee replacement for patients dealing with osteoarthritis of the knee and takes lesser time to recover as compared to total knee replacement surgery.

3. Kneecap Replacement: Kneecap replacement, also known as Patellofemoral Arthroplasty or unicompartmental knee replacement, is a surgical procedure to treat osteoarthritis of the knee affecting the patellofemoral compartment anterior aspect of the knee.

4. Complex/Revision Knee Replacement: When the already operated knee joints become loose/disfigure and cause inflammation, then revised knee replacement is carried out to correct the position of installed knee prosthesis.

How much does knee replacement surgery cost in India?

Depending on the type of implant used, the knee replacement surgery cost in India ranges between USD 4,000 to USD 6,000 for single knee and USD 8,400 to USD 12,000 for both knees.

What are the factors affecting the cost?

There are various factors to be included in the ‘cost’ factor when going for a surgical treatment. Let’s dive into the medical world and discuss what they can be:

1. Implant & its type, manufacture, and material: Nowadays, there are several implants available to choose from. Each implant is designed for a specific age group. For instance, older adults are devised with implants with a 110-degree flexion, while younger adults can bear an implant of high-degree flexion to manage their daily activities. Also, the type of material used in the implant matters like oxidized zirconium, polyethylene implants, cobalt chromium alloy that are readily available. The material used has its pros and cons with it.
   Besides, the availability of implant in the country counts. If the implant is available in India, then the cost is reduced by 30%. However, if it has to be imported, then the cost may vary or increase.

2. Type of Surgery: As discussed above, knee replacement surgery is performed according to the patient’s needs. The difference lies in the degree of severity of the patient’s knee condition. Also, TKR takes a longer time to recovery as compared to other surgical procedures and hence, requires longer stay in the hospital, which means a bit costly.

3. Experience of the Surgeon: As knee replacement surgery is a complicated surgical process; therefore, it has to be treated by an experienced surgeon who has performed at least 50 TKR cases annually with minimal complications. Well, if a patient goes for a skilled surgeon, then there could be extra pricing for it.

4. Type of the Hospital: Hospitals with modern infrastructure and equipped with the latest technology for medical treatment could charge more as compared to other hospitals. The ‘cost’ factor also depends on the location as the centrally-located hospitals tend to charge higher due to easier availability.

5. Rehabilitation Factor: Post-operative treatment requires mandatory physiotherapy, which costs extra. Rehabilitation is compulsory after knee replacement surgery. The candidate has to go for regular physiotherapy sessions for at least six to 12 weeks for positive outcomes.

These factors must be considered by a patient while getting surgical treatment. You can get assistance from a well-established medical tourism company in India that can help you avail of various medical services within your budget.

Why choose India for knee replacement surgery?

India is one of the go-to destinations for knee replacement surgery due to the features listed below:

1. Lower cost of treatment as compared to other western countries like UK, US.

2. Easier availability of medical visa, health insurance.

3. Hospitals with cutting-edge technology and top-notch medical services.

4. Care for the patient throughout the medical journey.

5. Round the clock availability of skilled surgeons, specialists, doctors, therapists & rehabilitation workers.

6. Sight-seeing after treatment.

Outlook:
If you’re looking for options for your medical treatment, it is advisable to plan your visit to India for better treatment options due to easier availability of surgeons & hospitals within your budget and for a speedy recovery.