New knee surgeries to cut hospital stay

Planning to get a new set of knees? It may sound like a long drawn process. However, if experts are to be believed, you can get a new set of knees and be home the same day!, reports Mallica Joshi

Planning to get a new set of knees? It may sound like a long drawn process. However, if experts are to be believed, you can get a new set of knees and be home the same day!

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“New procedures like half-knee replacement surgery, which is a minimal invasion procedure, don’t require a hospital stay of more than 24 hours,” said Dr Ashok Rajgopal, chairman, Bone & Joint Institute, Medanta, at the 4th Joint Replacement Conference in New Delhi. Traditional knee surgeries require a hospital stay of 5-7 days.

“More people are coming forward and seeking joint replacement surgery to improve their quality of life. I conduct 1,800- 1,900 knee and 2,000 hip replacement surgeries each year,” he said.

“Knee replacement surgery gives the patient enough mobility to play golf, while people who have undergone hip replacement can go on to participate in a triathlon,” said Rajgopal.

Replacing both knees or the entire hip can cost between Rs 3.75 and 4 lakh.

On the other hand, replacing a single knee or one hip joint can cost between Rs 2.25 and 2.5 lakh.

The life of an implant is between 15 and 20 years, after which a repeat surgery is needed to replace them.

“The success of joint replacement surgery lies in rehabilitation. If the patient loses weight and pays attention to physiotherapy, chances of the implant functioning well increase greatly,” Rajgopal said.