Knee replacement

For patients suffering from severe arthritis that can cause acute pain and make even routine activities difficult, Total Knee Replacement is the best solution. The procedure involves removing all diseased portions of bone and tissue on their ends, and replacing them with metal and high density plastic components shaped to create a structure that allows normal movement of the joint. Other knee deformities will also be corrected during the Surgery.

This minimally invasive procedure is an option for arthritis patients in whom only one part of the knee has been affected. In a Partial Knee Replacement the diseased portion is removed and replaced with a metal implant.

An osteotomy is Surgery that involves shaping and realigning of bones at a joint. It is usually used to treat arthritis in young patients, and is particularly recommended for those with very shallow joint sockets.In High Tibial Osteotomy the upper part of the tibia – one of the limbs forming the lower leg – is resurrected, mostly by removing a small part of bone in the area.

OrthoGlide, a metallic, wedge-shaped device is a novel implant that replaces worn cartilage inside the knee. It offers patients a less invasive alternative to total knee replacement. This device is inserted into the knee through a 5 to 7 cm incision, which relieves pressure, restores proper joint alignment, redistributes the load more evenly and increases stability.This surgery promises a less expensive and easy path of regaining normal lifestyle functions, and it definitely offers a new ray of hope to active and young patients who are worried about major surgery and prolonged post op rehabilitation to deal with Knee Arthritis.

The Major advantages of this surgery over standard Total Knee Replacement includes its affordable cost and early rehabilitation which helps patients to return to their normal routine and life style expeditiously. It allows the patient to squat and seat cross legged, an important part of our daily lives in India and which is not possible with the conventional knee replacement surgery. Above all OrthoGlide allows delay of total knee replacement until patients are older and less likely to require a second knee replacement.

As against a Total Knee Replacement, Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement (Resurface) Surgery involves a 2 inches incision, no cutting of the natural bone, the joint is left intact, no cutting of the muscle therefore no bleeding, less painful, low infection, less complications, fast recovery, can walk the same day, the surgery can be performed as a day care surgery and therefore doesn’t require hospitalization.

Total knee replacement using patient specific zigs is a new cutting edge technology in this field. The customized cutting blocks are made preoperatively using CT scan images of the patient’s knee and leg and then the surgery is done with the help of these blocks. This technology not only improves the accuracy of the knee prosthesis placement but also helps in less operative time, reduced blood loss, improved accuracy, enhanced surgical outcome and faster recovery with shorter hospital stay.

This first ever “Made in India-Made for India” technology has been indigenously designed and developed by a leading US based company that has its RND centre in India. This customized zig that meets quality standards will take Knee Replacements to a new level.

Correct alignment of the artificial knee replant is the key to a successful surgery. Closer the implant alignment , the better will be the surgical outcome. Traditionally achieving this alignment was based on the experience, skill and judgment of the surgeon. With the advent of the customized zig technology, the accurate alignment for the individual patient can be the calculated much more before the surgery, based on a CT Scan. The CT Scan and computer analysis help arrive at the most accurate alignment for the particular patient, based on which a specific zig is manufactured.

The zig which is customized for each patient is used to give the most appropriate bone cuts and positioning of the implant during the surgery. Apart from the official surgery, customized zigs also improve knee functions post surgery and the costs are one third too.

This technology not only improves the accuracy of the knee prosthesis placement but also helps in less operative time, reduced blood loss, improved accuracy, enhanced surgical outcome and faster recovery with shorter hospital stay.

For enquiries contact:

Phone: +91-11-29871210, +91-9810123331

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai has performed a path breaking surgery for the first time in South India – Attune Rotating Platform Total Knee Replacement for both knees using Minimally Invasive Subvastus Approach.

This innovative surgery was performed on both knees on a 63 year old patient who was suffering from Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypothyroidism and Coronary Artery disease for which he underwent CABG-Bypass heart surgery 5 years back.

The functional durability and longevity of this knee is likely to be more than 30 years and it is very much suitable for patients between 45-55 as well as for obese patients.

The Minimally Invasive Subvastus technique differs completely from the conventional technique. In the conventional surgery the skin is cut 15-20cm along with the muscles infront of the knee and thigh, the knee cap is flipped and the thigh and leg bones are separated from each other to perform the conventional surgery resulting in prolonged post operative pain and recovery. Whereas in the Minimally Invasive Subvastus technique the skin is cut only 8-10cm.The muscles are preserved by pushing them to the side without cutting them. The knee cap is not flipped and the thigh and leg bones are not separated but are cut in place. All these resulting in less pain and quick recovery.

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