| India is the best destination in world for Orthopaedic | | | | has been placed in the knee, the knee should appear |
| Surgery. Here in India it is not only cost effective but | | | | straight and flex to over 110 degrees. A total knee |
| also it is healed and treated under best medical | | | | replacement will correct the mal-alignment of bow |
| conditions. Shoulder/hip replacement and bilateral knee | | | | knees or flexed knees. Following the total knee |
| replacement surgery using the most advanced | | | | replacement surgery the wound is closed with |
| keyhole or endoscopic surgery and arthroscopy is | | | | absorbable sutures and a drain is inserted. |
| done at several hospitals in India. Some hospitals in | | | | Benefits of Total Knee Replacement Surgery: |
| India have operation theatres with laminar air flow | | | | ·Successful reconstruction and rehabilitation following |
| system, which compares with the best in the USA | | | | total knee replacement surgery can allow patient to |
| and the UK. Medical tourism has become a common | | | | return to full activities with a healthy knee including |
| form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of | | | | participating in his favorite sports without the use of |
| medical services. It mixes leisure, fun and relaxation | | | | a brace. The pain and stiffness are completely |
| together with wellness and healthcare. A combination | | | | alleviated. Patient do not experience any episodes of |
| of many factors has lead to the recent increase in | | | | instability in which the knee gives away. In short, |
| popularity of medical tourism. Exorbitant cost of | | | | patient’s independence returns and patient can |
| healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries, | | | | enjoy a better quality of life. |
| ease and affordability of international travel, favorable | | | | ·Pain reduction in 90 to 95 percent of patient |
| currency exchange rates in the global economy, | | | | ·Reduced stiffness with near normal motion |
| rapidly improving technology and high standards of | | | | ·Increased walking speed and distance |
| medical care in the developing countries has all | | | | ·Improved activity, allowing patient to carry out |
| contributed their share to this rapid development of | | | | many normal activity of daily life. |
| medical tourism. | | | | Risks involved in Total Knee Replacement Surgery: |
| What is a Total Knee Replacement Surgery? | | | | As with all major surgical procedures, complications |
| A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure | | | | can occur. The most common complications following |
| whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with | | | | knee replacement are: |
| artificial material. The knee is a hinge joint, which | | | | ·Thrombophlebitis |
| provides motion at the point where the thigh meets | | | | ·Infection in the joint |
| the lower leg. The thigh bone (or femur) abuts the | | | | ·Stiffness of the joint |
| large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. | | | | ·Loosening of the joint |
| During a total knee replacement, the end of the | | | | Cost benefit ratio of Total knee replacement |
| femur bone is removed and replaced with a metal | | | | Surgery? |
| shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also | | | | Total knee replacement surgery in India is now |
| removed and replaced with a channeled plastic piece | | | | affordable by most middle class families. The benefits |
| with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the | | | | to be that the elderly person who is home bound can |
| kneecap portion of the knee joint, a plastic "button" | | | | now go for outdoor walks, visit market place and |
| may also be added under the kneecap surface. | | | | places of worship. Exercise is beneficial to the |
| Who needs Total Knee Replacement Surgery? | | | | cardiovascular system and musculo skeletal system |
| The most common reason for needing total knee | | | | as osteoporosis is avoided. Total Knee replacement |
| replacement surgery is knee osteoarthritis, or | | | | surgery thus restores the individuals zest for life and |
| degenerative joint disease. This is often referred to | | | | leisure. They can enjoy their retirement by having |
| as 'wear and tear' arthritis, although these days we | | | | their knee replacement done in India with a |
| are beginning to understand that osteoarthritis is | | | | prosthesis that allows more knee flexion than the |
| more than simply a condition of joint aging. As the | | | | standard 110 degrees those most orthopaedic |
| cartilage surface on the ends of the bones is worn | | | | surgeons in the UK promise. The cost in India is |
| away, the normal mechanics of the knee joint are | | | | cheaper than private treatment in England. Total knee |
| altered. The knee becomes inflamed and irritated, and | | | | replacement surgery is a cost effective operation |
| the damaged cartilage, inflamed tissues, and exposed | | | | considering the poor quality of life of the affected |
| bone can cause pain. | | | | person and his dependence on other family members. |
| Procedure for Total Knee Replacement Surgery: | | | | Total Knee Replacement Surgery in India- why go for |
| The procedure for total knee replacement entails | | | | it? |
| removal of damaged bone and cartilage from | | | | India is one of the most touted destinations in the |
| patient’s thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and | | | | world for medical tourists. It is known in particular for |
| replaced with an artificial joint (prostheses) made of | | | | Knee surgery including Total Knee Replacement, |
| metal and plastic. A longitudinal skin incision, | | | | areas of advanced medicine in which India is generally |
| approximately 15 cm in length is made down the | | | | considered a global leader. Most estimates claim |
| front of patient’s knee. The arthritic surfaces are | | | | treatment costs in India start at around a tenth of |
| exposed by reflecting the kneecap out of the way. | | | | the price of comparable treatment in America or |
| Special instruments are used to remove the bone in a | | | | Britain. Moreover Indian Hospitals also provides more |
| specified manner so that total knee replacement | | | | personalized care than available in west. |
| prosthesis can fit onto the bone with or without | | | | India is fast becoming the world's first choice |
| cement. The cement fixes the prosthesis and allows | | | | destination for healthcare services - especially |
| healthy bone to grow into it. Once the two metal | | | | orthopedics surgery. With rapidly expanding |
| components are fixed to the bone, a plastic insert is | | | | infrastructure, clinical expertise and international |
| placed on the tibial surface. This plastic acts as the | | | | standard implementation, India is servicing the |
| shock absorber. The plastic allows the low friction | | | | healthcare needs, at reasonable costs, of international |
| movement to occur. The plastic may either be fixed | | | | patients from around the world. The cost of Knee |
| or mobile depending on the type of prosthesis. The | | | | Replacement Surgery approximately costs less than |
| worn out kneecap is resurfaced and cemented to | | | | $7,000 in India, which is approximately 1/12th cost in |
| keep it in place. Soft tissue releases are performed | | | | US. So that is why India is the most favorable |
| to balance the knee joint and after the prosthesis | | | | destination for Total Knee Replacement Surgery. |