Knee Replacement Surgeon in Surat

Knee replacement is typically considered when wear or damage to the joint surfaces causes pain that limits walking, climbing stairs, or sleeping — and when non-surgical measures have been exhausted. The two most common reasons are:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) — the cartilage that cushions the knee wears away, leaving bone to rub on bone. Advanced OA is the leading indication for knee replacement worldwide.
• Avascular necrosis (AVN) — the bone just beneath the joint surface loses its blood supply and collapses. When AVN affects a large area of the femoral condyle, replacement may be the most durable solution.
• Post-traumatic arthritis — joint damage following a fracture or ligament injury that leads to early arthritis, sometimes before the typical age for wear-and-tear OA.

Age, weight, activity demands and the extent of damage seen on X-ray and MRI all factor into whether replacement is appropriate — or whether a joint-preserving approach such as osteotomy is worth considering first. See also: Osteotomy vs Knee Replacement — which is right for you?

The numbers behind these decisions are well studied. A five-centre community study of 5,000 adults published in the Indian Journal of Orthopaedics (2016) found knee osteoarthritis in 28.7% of Indian adults. And according to a 2019 meta-analysis in The Lancet pooling registry data on around 300,000 knee replacements, about 82% of total knee replacements are still functioning 25 years after surgery.

Recovery from knee replacement follows a structured path, though timelines vary by individual, procedure type and pre-operative fitness.

• Hospital stay — most patients stay a few days, with discharge planned once mobility targets are met and the wound is stable.
• Early physiotherapy — supervised walking and range-of-motion exercises typically begin within the first day or two after surgery, while still in hospital.
• Return to light activity — most patients manage light indoor activity and short walks within the first few weeks. Stairs and longer distances improve steadily through structured physiotherapy.
• Full recovery — many patients reach their best functional level between three and six months post-surgery, though improvement can continue for up to a year. Individual progress depends on physiotherapy adherence, general health and the extent of pre-operative deconditioning.

Pre-operative physiotherapy — strengthening the muscles around the knee before surgery — is associated with a smoother recovery and is discussed at consultation.

Not all knee pain needs a surgeon's opinion, but some patterns should not wait for a routine appointment. Seek prompt assessment if you notice:

• Pain that limits daily function — difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or standing from a chair that has persisted for several weeks despite rest and basic pain relief.
• Night pain or pain at rest — knee pain that wakes you at night or is present even when the joint isn't bearing weight can indicate more advanced joint damage.
• Visible swelling, warmth or redness — especially if it comes on suddenly, as this can indicate infection or an acute inflammatory flare that needs same-day evaluation.
• A knee that gives way, locks, or feels unstable — a sensation of the joint buckling or catching suggests a mechanical problem worth imaging.
• Fever with a hot, swollen joint — this combination needs urgent same-day medical attention, as it can indicate septic arthritis.

If you have already had knee replacement surgery, contact your surgeon promptly for new or worsening pain, redness or drainage at the wound site, fever, calf swelling or tenderness (a possible sign of deep vein thrombosis), or sudden loss of the ability to bear weight — these warrant same-day evaluation rather than waiting for a scheduled follow-up.