Knee Replacement in Pune | Deccan Hardikar Hospital

What is Knee Replacement and who is it for?

Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) is a procedure that removes damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replaces them with precisely engineered metal and plastic components. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers both conventional and robotic knee replacement for patients with severe knee conditions who have not found adequate relief through medication or physiotherapy.

Who needs Knee Replacement surgery?

Knee replacement is recommended when joint damage significantly limits daily function and conservative treatments have been exhausted. Common indications include:

• Severe Osteoarthritis — complete cartilage wear causing bone-on-bone friction, intense pain, and stiffness that restricts walking and stair-climbing
• Rheumatoid Arthritis — chronic autoimmune inflammation that destroys knee cartilage and causes joint deformity
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis — arthritis developing years after a severe knee injury such as complex fractures or multiple ligament tears
• Knee Deformities — visible bowing or knock-knee alignment caused by advanced joint wear
• Persistent knee pain at rest or at night that disrupts sleep
• Significant loss of knee mobility affecting quality of life
• Failure to respond to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections

How is Knee Replacement performed at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

The surgical pathway at Deccan Hardikar Hospital follows a structured, patient-centred protocol from first assessment through to rehabilitation.

1. Pre-operative Assessment — A detailed clinical evaluation including blood tests, X-rays, and (for robotic cases) a 3D CT scan of the knee to map exact anatomy and plan implant size and alignment.
2. Personalised Surgical Planning — For robotic-assisted cases using the CUVIS Joint Robotic System, the CT scan is converted into a 3D virtual model. The surgeon performs a virtual simulation to confirm implant orientation and ligament balance before the first incision.
3. Anaesthesia — The patient receives spinal or general anaesthesia as determined by the anaesthesiology team.
4. Bone Preparation — Damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the femur, tibia, and patella. In robotic surgery, a haptic boundary prevents the saw from moving outside the pre-planned safe zone, protecting healthy bone and soft tissue with sub-millimeter precision.
5. Implant Placement — Precisely engineered metal and plastic prosthetic components are fixed to the prepared bone surfaces to replicate natural knee movement.
6. Wound Closure and Recovery Room — The incision is closed, and the patient is monitored in the recovery area before transfer to the ward.
7. Early Mobilisation — The physiotherapy team initiates walking within 24 hours of surgery to promote circulation and accelerate recovery.

Which type of knee replacement is best — conventional or robotic?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital offers both conventional and robotic-assisted knee replacement. The table below compares the two approaches across key clinical parameters.

Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your diagnosis, bone quality, deformity severity, and overall health.

What does recovery look like after Knee Replacement?

Recovery milestones vary between conventional and robotic approaches, but the general pathway at Deccan Hardikar Hospital follows a structured rehabilitation programme.

1. Within 24 hours — Physiotherapy begins; the patient is assisted to stand and take initial steps with support.
2. Days 2–4 (Robotic) / Days 2–7 (Conventional) — Gradual increase in walking distance; pain is managed with prescribed medication; wound monitoring continues.
3. Discharge — Robotic patients are typically discharged in 2–4 days; conventional patients in 5–7 days, subject to clinical assessment.
4. Weeks 1–3 — Outpatient physiotherapy sessions; exercises to restore range of motion and build quadriceps strength; use of walking aids as required.
5. Weeks 3–6 (Robotic) / Weeks 6–12 (Conventional) — Most patients resume light daily activities and short-distance walking without aids.
6. 3–6 months — Return to low-impact activities such as swimming and cycling as cleared by the surgical team.
7. Follow-up — Regular outpatient reviews to monitor implant integration, alignment, and functional progress.

What are the risks and considerations of Knee Replacement surgery?

Knee replacement is a well-established procedure; however, as with any major surgery, patients should be aware of potential risks before consenting to the operation.

• Infection — Superficial wound infection or, rarely, deep joint infection requiring further treatment
• Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) — Clot formation in leg veins; preventive measures including blood thinners and early mobilisation are routinely used
• Implant loosening or wear — Over time, the prosthetic components may loosen, potentially requiring revision surgery
• Nerve or blood vessel injury — Rare but possible during bone preparation; robotic assistance reduces this risk through haptic boundary control
• Stiffness or limited range of motion — The most common long-term complaint; addressed through dedicated physiotherapy
• Anaesthesia-related risks — Assessed individually by the anaesthesiology team based on patient health status
• Implant longevity — Modern knee implants are designed for long-term use; your surgeon will advise on activity modifications to maximise implant life

Who performs Knee Replacement surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Knee replacement procedures at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune are performed by fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons with specialised expertise in joint arthroplasty.

The surgical team brings 14+ years of clinical excellence and has trained extensively in Italy and Germany. With over 1,000 successful robotic joint replacements performed, the team has established significant expertise with the CUVIS Joint Robotic System.