Total Knee replacement is considered to be the best treatment to relieve pain and to restore functions of the knee when all other conventional treatments (weight loss, medicines, and injections) have failed to relieve the patient of disabling knee pain. This is a step-by step guide to walk you through the whole surgical procedure.

1. Knee Replacement Surgery - Step By Step

2. Introduction:
Knee Replacement Surgery(total or partial)
is a complex surgical procedure that needs
a skilled orthopaedic surgeon to replace the
diseased part of the bones with new artificial
knee implant, also known as prosthesis.
The orthopaedic surgeon builds the synthetic
knee during the procedure by crafting one
component at a time and remaking the
artificial knee joint.

3. Knee replacement is indicated if;
 You are suffering from severe knee arthritis.
 Your pain is preventing you to do your normal activities.
 You have difficulty walking, kneeling, squatting
 Your symptoms have not improved with other conventional treatments
It is important to know the procedure you will undergo to prepare yourself for the
surgery and cope with it for better recuperation.

4. Step 1: Making you sleep
The anaesthetist shall give you either
the general or spinal Anaesthesia
to make you fall asleep during the
procedure.

5. Step 2: Incising the knee
The surgeon shall make an incision over the
anterior part of your knee which allows easy access
to the patella, also known as kneecap.
The incision in typically about 8-10 inches in length
in case of traditional knee replacement surgery. In
contrast, the incision is only 4-6 inches long if the
surgery is done using minimally invasive approach.
Traditional surgeryMinimally
Invasive surgery
4-6 inches 8-10 inches

6. Step 3: Turning the Kneecap
After making incision over the knee,
the first exposed part is your patella.
As the surgeon gains access to patella,
he rotates it outwards providing
adequate room to perform the procedure.
Knee is exposed and
patella is rotated outward

7. Step 4: Preparation of Thighbone
The surgeon then resurfaces your thighbone,
medically known as femur.
After carefully exposing the knee joint, the
surgeon uses specialized instruments to
measure the bone and to cut the damaged
bone and cartilage from the base of the
femur with utmost precision.
The cut end is then resurfaced for
appropriate fitting of the femoral component
of the prosthesis.
Excision of
damaged bone
Cut ends

8. Step 5: Fixing the Femoral component
As the femur is resurfaced, the surgeon appends
the femoral component made of metal or plastic
to the base and fix it into place using bone
cement.
Femoral implant
Femoral component
of new knee joint
Existing
Femur

9. Step 6: Preparation of Shinbone
Shinbone also called as Tibia is the next bone to get resurfaced.
The upper end of the tibia is made free of damaged bone and cartilage and then it is
reshaped so as to fit the tibial component of the artificial knee prosthesis.
Excision of damaged
shinbone
Cut ends

10. Step 7: Fixing the Tibial component
The Tibial component (tibial tray) is then fixed to the upper resurfaced part of the tibia
and is glued in place using bone cement.
As soon as the tray is fixed, the surgeon places a polyethylene insert to convene between
the femoral and tibial component that acts as a buffer and provides support to your body
while bending and flexing your knee.
Existing
Shinbone
Metal
baseplate
Polythene
insert
New joint with
tibial component

11. Step 8: Re-tuning the Patella
The surgeon smoothens the lower surface of
the patella and fix it with the added plastic
patellar component in order to certify
appropriate fit with the rest of implant.
If required, the plastic component is
cemented to the bone.
Existing
Patella
Plastic patellar
component

12. Step 9: Concluding the Procedure
The surgeon then checks for the proper
alignment, working, sizing and positioning of the
implant by bending and flexing the knee.
After confirming, the surgeon sutures the
incision and dresses it.
The surgery take approximately 2 hours to
complete.
Before After

13. Life of Implants
Modern day implants have a longer life
and are known to last for more than
35 years.
We use FDA approved Johnson and
Johnson USA made implants which are
known for their best quality with life
long durability.

14. Life after Knee replacement surgery
The results are excellent after knee
replacement surgery with top orthopaedic
surgeons in India.
You can start moving and walking the next
day after the procedure and shall require to
stay for 3-4 days in the hospital. You will
need complete rehabilitation comprising
physiotherapy and exercises to regain the
knee strength post surgery. You may expect
a pain free knee after complete recovery.

15. Cost of knee replacement surgery
The cost of knee replacement surgery in India is as low as $5000 as compared to the cost
of knee replacement surgery in US, which averages at around $30,000.
IndiCure is the most renowned medical tourism company that offers knee replacement in
India at most affordable prices with best orthopaedic surgeons in India.
Note: The cost estimate above is inclusive of airport pick and drop facility, stay at the
hospital, free stay and food for one companion, surgeon’s fee, investigations related to the
procedure and physiotherapy sessions.
For more information on knee replacement in India, write to us at info@indicure.com or
call us at +91 93200 36777 or talk with us at Skype@ IndiCure