It is very common for people to be afraid of any kind of surgery. It is often portrayed as life-threatening and has numerous myths that people believe even to this day. However, it is essential to understand that a surgery is not a life-threatening procedure; it is a life-saving procedure. It might look scary, but it often proves to be most effective in pain relief, comfort, and recovery. Dr Uday Meghnathi often sees a similar fear on his patients’ faces when he suggests knee replacement surgery as treatment for a severe condition. Therefore, through this blog, we would like to burst the top 11 myths and state actual and proven facts about knee replacement surgery.
What Happens in a Knee Replacement Surgery?
A knee replacement surgery is carried out by an exceptional orthopedic surgeon with the motive to relieve pain and improve the function of the knee. A knee joint degrades over time due to natural ageing or health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. In such cases where you cannot restore the natural capabilities of the bone, a knee replacement surgery is advised. In the surgery, the natural parts of the knee bone or cartilage are replaced with metal or plastic prosthetics.
These parts are durable and long-lasting. If you need further clarity on this surgery, consult Dr Uday Meghnathi. He is the best knee replacement surgeon in Vadodara. With years of rich experience and having handled critical knee cases, he can guide you with your treatment plan. He is very compassionate with his parents and makes sure all his patients find relief at his clinic. He provides a wide range of services related to bones and muscles, including fracture management, pediatric orthopedics, joint replacement, sports injury, etc. Book an appointment now.
Top 11 Myths and Facts About Knee Replacement Surgery
- Myth: The Knee Replacement Surgery Has a Higher Failure Rate
Fact: The fact about this myth is that the knee replacement surgery has higher success rates and almost 90% of the replacement knees function appropriately even after 15 years of the surgery. Only about 2% of people may face complications.
- Myth: Keep Delaying Surgery, You’ll Get Better on Your Own
Fact: This is usually advised by people with misinformation that health gets better over time. In the case of knee issues, if left untreated, they can lead to more serious problems. The injured or harmed bone tissue can get an infection or necrosis. Therefore, consulting a doctor must be the top priority.
- Myth: There is No Flexibility in the Replaced Knee Joint
Fact: It is a familiar doubt that the knee cannot be bent after a knee surgery. In reality, the knee joint and its parts are engineered to provide a very natural feel to the patient. It offers complete usability and flexibility to the knee. Therefore, the myth is false.
- Myth: There is No Treatment Available if the Surgery Fails
Fact: The failure of knee replacement surgery is very low if you have consulted a good orthopedic doctor and a good prosthetic is used. If the surgery fails for any reason, the surgeon will perform a revision surgery after identifying the cause of the failure.
- Myth: After Surgery, Driving a car is Impossible.
Fact: It is completely untrue. Driving a car becomes more comfortable after the surgery, as the patient no longer feels discomfort or pain in the knee when pressing the pedals.
- Myth: The Surgery Effect is Short-lived.
Fact: The replaced knee parts have an exceptionally long life. They can last upto a lifetime. If the surgery is performed under an exceptional orthopedic doctor with high-quality prosthetics, it can last for a lifetime without any complications.
- Myth: Knee Replacement Surgery is not for Senior Citizens.
Fact: There is no age limit for knee replacement surgery. It is very effective for senior citizens, as the prosthetic will alleviate their pain and discomfort for the rest of their lives.
- Myth: Knee Replacement Surgery Requires a Long Recovery Time
Truth: The recovery time for all patients is different and is affected by various factors such as underlying diseases, accuracy of the procedure and aftercare. However, many patients recover within a few weeks and return to their routine.
- Myth: Both Knees Cannot Undergo Knee Replacement Surgery at the Same Time
Fact: For double knee replacement, your orthopedic doctor will examine and decide if you can undergo knee replacement at the same time or not. It is pretty beneficial to undergo knee replacement surgery at the same time, as the recovery can be faster. The person will not have to undergo one surgery after another on the other knee.
- Myth: There is a High Chance of Having a Knee Implant Rejection Because It is a Foreign Body
Fact: The knee implants are made from inert materials which do not interact with human cells and tissues. These implants are safe and can be used effectively.
- Myths: Young Patients Can Heal Without a Knee Replacement Surgery.
Fact: Knee replacement can be an essential treatment in case of an accident, autoimmune disease, or due to continuous pain and discomfort. It has nothing to do with age; if it is the last possible treatment, it has to be performed to relieve pain.
Conclusion
There are many more myths still relevant about knee osteoarthritis replacement surgery and more surgeries. People often delay crucial treatment just because they are influenced by the popular thoughts and rumours. It is advisable that a patient must not fall for such ideas and must consult the best orthopedic doctor in Vadodara. We diagnose the issues, anaylze the current health status and then recommend the most appropriate treatment, which can offer fast pain-relief, faster recovery and is cost-effective as well. Dr Uday has rich experience and a proven track record in regards the joint replacement surgeries, fracture management, sports injuries, etc. Give us a call to book an appointment.
Also Read: What is Knee Replacement Surgery Success Rate in India?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In most of the cases, the patient can easily return to a very normal life. The knee replacement implants can last about 15-20 years without any complications. You can return to your activities like walking, swimming and biking.
The duration of the hospital stay depends on the intensity of the surgery. If it is a laparoscopic surgery, you can be discharged on the same day. Other than that, in case of open surgery, you need to stay in the hospital for atleast 5 days to prevent infection and monitor post-operative status.
Most of the usual activities often resume after complete recovery; however, people must avoid contact sports, jumping, squatting, etc.
The time of the surgery usually varies with the parts replaced. For a full knee replacement, it can take up to 3 hrs. After the surgery, a person may need to stay in the hospital for 2 to 5 days.
