FAQ's

Arthroscope has bright light attached to the tip and give bright and magnified images allowing better visualization. This makes the surgery very precise

It is true that equipment required for arthroscopic surgery is expensive and therefore costs may appear to be on the higher side but these apparently higher costs are offset by shorter hospital stay and quicker return to routine life.

No it is not part of routine training in our country. Mastery on the technique requires special training.

Condition where the cartilage (or cushion covering the bone) inside the knee is worn out is called.

Basically, these can be classified in two broad groups

• Inflammatory arthritis where joint damage is part of general disorders affecting many joints and body systems example rheumatoid arthritis
• Non-inflammatory arthritis (age related wear and tear) example is osteoarthritis. A sub type is arthritis arising as a result of an old injury to the knee joint

Common symptoms are pain, swelling and stiffness of the joint. Typically, the symptoms are severe in the morning but tend to get better as the person walks. Many patients can notice repeated episodes of swelling, gradually developing deformities (knock knees, bow legs)

No, unless you are in advanced stage of arthritis which has not responded to any form of treatment. Many people can benefit immensely with simple exercises, stretching etc. for people who are overweight but otherwise active benefit significantly by losing few extra kilograms. The decision is never based on the images on x rays. Decision to operate is taken after comprehensive evaluation of patients’ needs and conditions.

Viscosupplementation involves injecting medicines in the joint to reduce stiffness and improve mobility. These medicines mimic the function of normal knee joint lubricant. Good results are reported (relief of up to a year) in mild or early arthritis. However, in late or moderately severe arthritis the results can be variable and unpredictable.

Arthroscope is a specialized surgical instrument designed to give images from inside the joint. Basically it is small telescope similar in size to a pen, it has a small viewing window which can be introduced into a joint, other size has a high resolution video camera attached along with a source of bright light. It permits surgeon to see minute details from inside of the joint.

No, images from an arthroscope are magnified, brighter and in far greater detail than what the surgeon can see with naked eye.

• Yes there are many advantages
• Precise surgery
• Highly accurate placement of implants graft material etc
• Less painful as cuts are very small
• Shorter hospital stays
• Saving with short stay in hospital and faster return to work/ sports

No,
In initial period of development of arthroscopic surgical techniques it was used as a tool for diagnosis but now more joint reconstructive procedures can be done arthroscopically than what can be done open.

• Ligament reconstruction/repair
• Loose body removal
• Chondral pathologies(cartilage repair etc)
• Removal/repair of menisci

Most surgery’s can be done as a day care procedure(less than a full day admission. In some cases a single day admission is enough

Mastering this branch of orthopedic requires acquiring certain special skills. Best results are achieved in those surgeons hands who have trained in these procedures

Knee replacement is an operation where damaged and worn out surfaces of the knee are carefully removed with special instruments and replaced by size matched metal and plastic surfaces

Very often, we see people put off an important knee replacement surgery because they’re worried about the recovery period. They think they’ll be in a lot of pain for a long time and getting better will be difficult. The concerns are justified but reality is quite different, most patients are able to walk around in the room and go to the toilet on their own much before they go home. In practical terms there is no dependence on others in the post-operative period.

Generally, recovery after a knee replacement surgery takes between three to six weeks, and the rehabilitation begins while in the hospital. Most welcome step for the patients is the next day after surgery when majority of the patients are able to stand. Mr Sood (see testimonial section) described his experience as if heavy weights were taken off the knees. Almost 80 percent recovery occurs with-in first 15-20 days. How-ever the knees continue to gradually improve upto a period of 6-8 months

Majority will be able to resume outdoor activities in about a month. How ever some variation is encountered depending on weight and pre-surgery activity levels of the patient.

That’s a tricky question to answer. In theory it seems attractive idea to reduce weight but in practice it is practically very difficult to loose weight for a person who has severe pain the knee. Crash dieting will help loose some weight but there is a high risk of developing nutritional deficiencies.

In our series heaviest patient that has been operated weighed 145 kg (see pic gallery)

Costs can vary widely depending on type of implant, type of hospital and accommodation. Patient suffering from some medical condition can incur some extra costs. A clinical evaluation is recommended for a more accurate assessment.