Knee pain impacts your ability to perform activities such as walking, climbing stairs, exercising, and standing for long periods of time. Occasional discomfort may improve with rest and treatment; however, if pain persists you may have a joint condition that requires medical attention.
To determine the cause of your symptom(s) and explore the available treatment options you may need to consult the best orthopaedic surgeon for knees Chandigarh. The treatment for a joint condition may include a combination of the following: medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle modification, and/or injections and surgery.
You should also be prepared to discuss the latest advancements in orthopaedic care, including, knee resurfacing and/or robotic-assisted surgery.
When Should You Consult a Knee Specialist?
It is advisable to seek the consultation of a knee specialist when your knee pain:
- Persists or worsens
- Affects your normal activities of daily living, including walking, climbing stairs, standing, squatting, bending, and/or exercising
- Causes discomfort while knee is in a bent or straight position
- Causes the knee to give-way, especially when weight bearing
- Causes knee swelling and/or stiffness
- Does not improve with rest and/or conventional treatment
Major or serious injuries may require an immediate consultation. Signs of an emergency may include: inability to bear weight on the leg, severe pain, an obviously deformed knee, warmth and/or swelling of the knee, and/or fever.
Here are some conditions that may cause knee pain and how a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon evaluates and treats them.
1. Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain, particularly in older people. It occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint wears away. As this happens, the bones begin rubbing against each other, causing knee pain and stiffness, as well as reduced knee mobility.
Treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee depends on how severe the condition is. If it is less severe, exercise and physical therapy may help strengthen the leg muscles to provide additional support to the knee, as well as manage weight to reduce stress on the knee. If the condition is more severe, medicine and/or surgery may help.
2. Ligament Injuries
Injuries to the ACL, PCL, and other ligaments and capsular structures in the knee can result in pain and knee instability. Some of these injuries are treated with physical therapy, while surgery may be necessary to treat others.
3. Tears of the Meniscus
Tearing of the meniscus of the knee can occur with trauma and may cause knee pain and swelling as well as knee “catching.” Treatment depends on where the meniscus tear is, what kind of tear it is, and how the patient is symptomatically.
4. Advanced Knee Cartilage Damage
Loss of the cartilage that lines the knee joints can cause pain and restricted movement. Depending on how large the loss of cartilage is and where it is, the doctor may recommend a knee replacement, selected resurfacing, or other procedures to attempt to save knee cartilage.
When looking for an orthopaedic surgeon for knee issues, consider more than online reviews. The surgeon should be able to explain the knee condition, provide treatment options, and recommend a plan based on the patient’s needs.
When choosing a surgeon, these factors should be considered:
Relevant qualifications and experience: What kind of orthopaedic training and experience does the surgeon have in dealing with your kind of knee problem?
Accurate diagnosis: Is the cause of the knee pain clearly identified by a physical exam and appropriate imaging?
Treatment options: What are the options for non-surgical treatment or treatment options for joint-sparing procedures?
Surgical experience: How much experience does the surgeon have with the proposed procedure?
Clear communication: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure? What are the expected outcomes and the expected length of time for recovery?
Rehabilitation support: What is the role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation in the overall treatment plan?
It is important for patients to choose the specialist who is most appropriate for their individual condition based on the suitability of the recommended treatment.
It is important to understand that robotic assistance does not mean that the robot performs the procedure. The surgeon is responsible for joint assessment, making surgical decisions and performing the procedure.
There is variability in the use of the term robotic knee resurfacing by different providers. It is important for the patient to understand the specific procedure that is being proposed and its appropriateness for them.
There are potential benefits of robotic technology that may improve surgical planning and execution for certain procedures.
These may include:
- – Adequate preoperative planning to assess the patient’s knee anatomy, develop a plan to address any knee issues, and communicate the planned procedure to the patient.
- – Increased intra-operative precision to help the surgeon prep the bone according to the plan and position the implants according to the desired orientation and alignment.
- – The ability to tailor the surgical plan to the individual patient and joint condition.
- – The performance of selected joint-preserving procedures.
Potential benefits are dependent on several factors including the indication for the surgery, the technology used, the surgeon’s expertise and the patient’s individual condition.
Because robotic assistance does not always improve the results of a procedure, it is not always necessary or appropriate to use robotic technology for all patients.
Robotic Knee Resurfacing and Total Knee Replacement are two distinct procedures that serve different purposes and are indicated for patients with different levels of joint damage.
Types of Knee Surgeries
When the damage to the knee is limited to a specific area, a partial knee surgery may be an option. This surgery treats the damaged area of the knee while leaving the rest of the knee joint healthy.
Not all types of resurfacing are partial knee surgeries, and it is important to get clarification from your surgeon about which type of surgery you will be getting.
Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement surgery is typically recommended when symptoms of knee arthritis do not improve with conservative treatment and other areas of the knee are also damaged.
Through this surgery, the damaged surfaces of the knee are replaced with artificial surfaces in order to relieve pain and improve the function of the knee.
Which Procedure Is Better?
There is no best option for everyone. The decision can be made based on the location and extent of cartilage damage, function of the ligaments, alignment of the knees, requirements and preferences of the patient, and the surgeon’s opinion.
A consultation can help decide the best option between joint-preserving approaches, partial knee replacements, total knee replacements or other conservative treatments.
What Happens During a Knee Assessment?
Usually, there are several steps to assess the knee.
The doctor will first take a detailed description of your symptoms including when and how they started, how they progressed, past injuries and treatments, and how they affect your day to day life. This is your “medical history”.
Next, the doctor will physically examine your knee, checking for inflammation, tenderness, the range of motion and stability of your knee.
Finally, diagnostic tests may be done to evaluate the bone and joints of your knee and the surrounding areas. An X-ray is a common diagnostic test.
Treatment discussion
The doctor explains the different treatment options, expected outcomes, potential complications and the need for rehabilitation.
This discussion helps the patient understand if surgery is the only option or if other forms of treatment exist that can give similar outcomes.
RECOVERY AFTER KNEE SURGERY
Different procedures require different recovery periods, depending on the patient’s health and rehabilitation progress.
Typically, the treatment team suggests the following after surgery:
- – Pain management and wound care.
- – Walking with support as tolerated.
- – Physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion.
- – Increase in daily activities.
- – Follow-up visits to evaluate healing and function of the knee.
The type and extent of rehabilitation depends on the specific surgery performed. Recovery after a partial knee replacement is different from recovery after a total knee replacement. Patients undergoing procedures that preserve joints, such as a cartilage procedure, may have different activity and weight bearing restrictions.
It is important to follow the surgeon’s instruction for a safe and speedy recovery.
WHY CONSIDER COJRI FOR ORTHOPAEDIC INFORMATION?
It is important to confirm the availability of the desired procedure and the relevant experience of the operating physician, the level and type of diagnostics and the rehabilitation support available prior to making a final decision.
A direct consultation will allow the patient and their family to understand their diagnosis in detail and help them determine if robotic surgery is appropriate or if a different treatment option is more suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find the best orthopedic surgeon for knee Chandigarh?
Inquire about the surgeon’s experience with your specific condition. Some factors to consider include the quality of the diagnosis, available treatment options, communication, experience with surgery, and postoperative care.
2. What is Robotic Knee Resurfacing?
This generally refers to a surgical procedure, using robotic technology, to resurface the knee joint. The technique may vary, and therefore patients should clarify the specifics of the technology and what the surgery entails.
3. Is Robotic-assisted Knee Surgery better than traditional Knee Surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery may improve planning and provide better precision for specific procedures. However, it may not always improve the final result for the patient. A variety of factors impact the final outcome.
4. Can Knee Resurfacing treat Osteoarthritis?
It may be an option for patients with arthritic change in limited areas of the knee. For patients with extensive arthritic change in multiple areas, other surgical interventions may be necessary.
5. Does every patient with knee pain require surgery?
No, there are many non-surgical treatments available, including Physiotherapy, exercise, weight loss, activity modification, or medications, which may be adequate to treat the condition. Surgery is considered if the diagnosis and condition justify it.
6. What is the recovery time after Knee Surgery?
Recovery time depends on the procedure, and may vary significantly from patient to patient. It may take several weeks to months to fully recover. Your surgeon may be able to provide more information about recovery time specific to your case.
7. Is robotic knee surgery appropriate for older adults?
The main consideration is the patient’s overall health and the condition of the knee joint, including mobility and treatment goals. Age, in itself, is not a barrier to surgery.
NAP: COJRI Contact Information
Name: Chandigarh Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Institute (COJRI)
Primary Centre: Max Hospital, Phase 6, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
Chandigarh Clinic: Singla Clinics, House No. 3, Sector 19A, Chandigarh, 160019
Panchkula Clinic: House No. 222, Sector 4, Panchkula, Haryana 134112
Dr. Sandeep Gupta: +91 98159 33514
Dr. Jatinder Singla: +91 84272 70319
Email: info@cojri.com
Connect With COJRI
Connect with COJRI for more education on hip and knee replacements, robotic joint surgeries and other specialties in orthopaedic care.
- LinkedIn: Dr. Sandeep Gupta on LinkedIn
- Email: info@cojri.com
- Appointments: +91 98159 33514 / +91 84272 70319
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