Years of use, many medical conditions like arthritis, accidental trauma to joints, etc cause stiffness and pain in the joints of the body. These are sometimes so severe that they restrict the daily activities of a person. Seemingly, other lines of treatment like medicines, physiotherapy and exercise do not reduce the pain and inflammation, the patient is recommended to get the joint replaced.
A joint replacement procedure aims at relieving joint pain and increasing mobility. The joint replacement surgeon removes the damaged ligaments and tissues from the affected area and replaces the damaged joint with an artificial joint, also known as a prosthetic. Made from medical-grade metals, bioceramics and polymer, the artificial joints last as long as 20 to 25 years in best-case scenarios.
The most common joint replacement procedures are knee replacement and hip replacement. Other joints that may require a replacement are the shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, etc. With the advancement in medical science, innovative technology, surgical techniques and a better understanding of human mobility, joint replacement procedures with excellent outcomes are common. Patients are recovering faster, regaining better mobility and function of the joint with lesser hospital stays and experiencing less pain as compared to the same surgery a few decades ago.
If you have been suffering from stiffness and inflammation in joints with pain that seems to go away just as long as the effects of a painkiller last, then it's time for you to visit the best orthopaedic surgeon in Surat or near you.
Orthopaedic surgeons specialize in surgical and non-surgical procedures of the musculoskeletal system. The bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves form the musculoskeletal system. These doctors diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, and prevent diseases and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system like dislocated joints, different types of arthritis, back pain, knee pain, hip mobility restrictions, etc.
With more than 206 bones and upto 360 joints in the human body, some surgeons choose to narrow down this vastness and sub-specialize in treating a specific joint. For example, some orthopaedic surgeons specialize in knee and hip replacements while others specialize in shoulder, wrist and ankle treatments. Choosing sub-specialities helps them in focusing and gaining more experience in that specific joint leading to expert-level precision and more successful outcomes for their patients.
A joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is the one in which a damaged joint (shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, etc.) is removed surgically and is replaced by an artificial joint (prosthetic) made of high quality, medical grade metal, ceramic, or plastic. The need for a joint replacement surgery arises when the flexibility and mobility of the joint are affected to the extent that a person is unable to perform routine activities like walking, getting up from a sitting position, swimming, climbing stairs, standing, etc. Along with reduced mobility, the person may also have symptoms like severe pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joint. Usually, such symptoms are seen in people suffering from long-term arthritis or injury to the joint due to accidents. It cannot be emphasized enough that seeking consultation from the best joint replacement surgeon in Surat is essential to get informed advice about your condition.
The most common types of orthopaedic surgery in India are:
The cartilage damage to the knee joints results in restricted movements and severe pain. Depending upon the damage to the joint or the severity of the injury, a total, partial or complex knee joint replacement will be recommended to the patient. It is essential that you seek the best orthopaedic knee replacement surgeon in Surat with several years of experience so that you can get an informed opinion.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a common orthopaedic surgery that involves replacing the articular surfaces (femoral condyles and tibial plateau) of the knee joint with a prosthetic. Total Knee Replacement aims to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from end-stage osteoarthritis by replacing the knee joint with a prosthesis to reduce pain and improve the function of the knee.
In Partial Knee Replacement, only the damaged portion of the knee is replaced while keeping the undamaged tissues and ligaments intact. This is also referred to as Unicompartmental knee replacement and is opted when only one side of the knee (usually the inner side) is damaged.
Complex Knee Replacement is performed in case of very severe arthritis or if the patient is undergoing a second or third replacement in the same knee.
Kneecap Replacement is recommended when only the under-surface of the kneecap and its groove are damaged. This kind of replacement is also called patellofemoral replacement.
Dr Kaushik Patel is one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in Surat. With more than a decade of experience in robotic joint replacements, he has been the pioneer in treating patients with an advanced robotic joint replacement system.