Total Knee Replacement Surgery Cost

Average cost
Rs. 1,80,000 - Rs. 4,50,000

Surgery time
60-90 minutes

Hospitalization
1-5 days

Resume work
2-4 weeks

Recovery time
8-12 weeks

Pain
Minimal

TYPES OF KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERIES IN INDIA

The knee joint is a complex joint that is formed from three bones, i.e., the femur, tibia, and patella, and a synovial cartilage. The type of knee replacement surgery to be performed depends on the severity of damage to the knee joint. A knee implant has three components- femoral and tibial components, along with a plastic spacer (to replace the synovial cartilage).

The different types of knee replacement surgeries, based on the damage to the knee joint and the kind of implant used are:

• Total Knee Replacement
  Total knee replacement surgery is performed for severely damaged knee joints, i.e., for patients who are having trouble performing even simple daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs. In this procedure, all the articulating surfaces of the joint, along with the synovial cartilage, are replaced with a prosthetic alternative.
• Partial Knee Replacement
  Partial knee replacement surgery is performed for patients who have localized knee joint damage, i.e., degeneration of only the medial or lateral compartments of the knee joint. It is usually performed for younger patients as their recovery is quicker. This surgery causes less trauma to the surrounding knee tissues and preserves the natural knee function in the surrounding tissues. It provides more range of motion of the knee joint in comparison to total knee replacement.

FACTORS THAT IMPACT KNEE REPLACEMENT COST IN INDIA

• Choice of treatment city
  The cost of knee replacement surgery depends on the city where you are having the treatment. It may cost a little more in metro cities as compared to non-metro cities.

• Type and quality of implant used
  The type and quality of the knee implants are among the biggest factors for determining the cost of the surgery. While choosing the ideal knee implant for the patient, the orthopedic surgeon considers several factors such as the degree of joint movement required by the patient, severity of damage to the joint, etc.

  The most commonly used knee implants are from Zimmer, Jhonson & Jhonson, and Stryker manufacturers.

• Hospitalization fees
  The hospitalization fees include the type of hospital room preferred by the patient, duration of the hospital stay, etc. The cost of a deluxe/private room is more than that of a shared hospital room.

• Experience of the surgeon
  Knee replacement surgery is a complicated procedure that should only be performed by a skilled and experienced orthopedic surgeon. An experienced orthopedic surgeon performs the procedure much more precisely, preserving the surrounding tissues which makes it easier to regain joint mobility and increases the implant's longevity.

• Cost of medicines
  Proper pain management is integral to postoperative recovery. Pain management after knee replacement surgery is performed by NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Management of post-surgery complications
  Comorbidities such as uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension increase the risk of postoperative complications after knee replacement surgery. If there are any postoperative complications, such as hemorrhage or infection, the patient may require ICU services, blood transfusions, and so on.

• Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
  After knee replacement surgery, the patient will need extensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation to regain joint mobility. The cost of rehabilitation is determined by the length of the treatment, the type of surgery, the nature of the knee implant, and other factors.

• Insurance coverage
  Most knee replacement surgeries are either partially or completely covered by insurance. Some insurance policies also specify the type of implant that is covered. Contact your insurance provider immediately to find out the terms of your insurance policy.

A rough breakdown of the estimated cost of unilateral total knee replacement surgery in India is as follows:

FAQs

What are the diagnostic tests required for knee replacement surgery?

Before knee replacement surgery, you may need diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scan, ultrasound, CT scan, and an arthrocentesis.

How soon after the knee surgery can I walk without support?

You can walk without any support within 5-6 weeks after the surgery. However, complete recovery where you can perform activities like running, jumping, jogging, etc. takes about 8-12 weeks.

What are the signs that you need knee replacement surgery?

5 Signs that you need a knee replacement are:

• Persistent or reoccurring pain of the knee joint even while lying down that is not relieved through medication
• Knee pain gets worse at night and prevents you from sleeping
• You have trouble doing even simple daily activities like walking or climbing stairs
• Chronically stiff or swollen knee joints
• Knee joint deformity, i.e., a bowing in or out of the knee

CONCLUSION

Most people wait to get knee replacement surgery till they become almost completely immobile. The longer you wait for the surgery, the more damage there is to the knee joint and its surrounding structures. Simultaneously, you are unable to live your life completely as you can’t perform even daily activities like jogging, jumping, etc.

Don't life pass you by, live it fully. Get a free consultation with the best orthopedic surgeons near you to get a better estimate of the cost of knee replacement surgery for you.