Joint Replacement Surgery in Pune | Deccan Hardikar Hospital

What is Joint Replacement Surgery and who is it for?

Joint Replacement Surgery (Arthroplasty) is an orthopaedic procedure that removes damaged bone and cartilage from a diseased joint and replaces it with an artificial prosthesis made of medical-grade metal, plastics, or ceramics. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers this procedure using minimally invasive techniques and robotic assistance, allowing most patients to begin walking within 24 hours of surgery.

The hospital's orthopaedic team has performed over 5,000 joint replacement surgeries and is among the pioneers in Pune to utilise the CUVIS Joint Robotic system for sub-millimeter implant alignment. Learn more about the broader orthopaedics programme at Deccan Hardikar Hospital.

Who needs Joint Replacement Surgery? What are the signs?

Joint replacement is generally recommended when joint damage severely impacts quality of life and conservative treatments — including medications, injections, and physiotherapy — no longer provide adequate relief. The following signs indicate a surgical evaluation may be warranted:

• Severe joint pain that disrupts sleep or persists at rest
• Inability to walk, climb stairs, or perform basic daily activities
• Visible joint deformity such as severe knock-knees or leg bowing
• Chronic swelling and stiffness that does not improve with rest
• Bone-on-bone friction confirmed on imaging (X-ray or MRI)
• Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the hip or knee
• Post-traumatic arthritis following a fracture or injury
• Failed prior joint surgery requiring revision

How is Joint Replacement Surgery performed at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

The surgical pathway at Deccan Hardikar Hospital follows a structured protocol from pre-operative planning through post-operative rehabilitation:

1. Pre-operative assessment — Clinical examination, blood work, imaging (X-ray/MRI), and anaesthesia fitness evaluation. The CUVIS Joint Robotic system generates a patient-specific surgical plan based on imaging data.
2. Anaesthesia — Spinal or general anaesthesia is administered based on the patient's profile and the operating surgeon's recommendation.
3. Minimally invasive incision — Small, muscle-sparing incisions are made to access the joint, reducing trauma to surrounding soft tissue.
4. Robotic-assisted resection — The CUVIS Joint Robotic system guides the surgeon to remove damaged bone and cartilage with sub-millimeter precision, preserving maximum healthy bone stock.
5. Prosthesis implantation — Medical-grade metal, plastic, or ceramic components are fitted and secured. Alignment is verified intraoperatively by the robotic system.
6. Wound closure and dressing — The incision is closed in layers; a sterile dressing is applied.
7. Post-operative monitoring — The patient is moved to recovery and monitored for pain, circulation, and early mobilisation readiness.
8. Day 1 physiotherapy — The in-house rehabilitation team initiates a personalised recovery protocol beginning the day after surgery.

What types of Joint Replacement Surgery are available at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers the following joint replacement procedures, performed by internationally trained orthopaedic surgeons:

For patients with sports-related joint damage, the hospital's sports injury and arthroscopy service may be considered as a complementary or prior intervention.

How does Robotic Joint Replacement compare to Conventional Surgery?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital offers both conventional and advanced robotic-assisted joint replacement. The table below outlines the key clinical differences:

What is the recovery timeline after Joint Replacement Surgery?

Recovery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital begins on the day after surgery, guided by a dedicated in-house physiotherapy and rehabilitation team. The following milestones apply to robotic-assisted procedures; conventional surgery timelines may be longer.

1. Day 1 (Post-surgery) — Physiotherapy begins; supervised standing and initial steps with support.
2. Days 2–4 — Gradual increase in walking distance; stair practice initiated under supervision; discharge planning for eligible patients.
3. Week 1–2 — Wound review and suture removal; home exercise programme established; walking aids (walker or crutches) in use.
4. Week 3–6 — Transition from walking aids to independent walking for most patients; outpatient physiotherapy sessions continue.
5. Week 6–12 — Return to light daily activities; driving eligibility assessed by the surgeon; strengthening exercises progress.
6. 3–6 months — Most patients resume normal daily activities; follow-up imaging to confirm implant positioning.
7. 6–12 months — Full functional recovery expected for the majority of patients; return to low-impact recreational activities as cleared by the surgeon.

What are the risks and considerations of Joint Replacement Surgery?

Joint replacement surgery is a well-established procedure; however, as with all surgical interventions, it carries potential risks that patients should discuss with their surgeon before proceeding:

• Infection — Superficial wound infection or, less commonly, deep periprosthetic infection requiring further treatment
• Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis / Pulmonary Embolism) — Preventive measures including early mobilisation and anticoagulant medication are routinely employed
• Implant loosening or wear — May occur over time, particularly with high-impact activity; robotic precision reduces but does not eliminate this risk
• Nerve or blood vessel injury — Rare; minimally invasive technique reduces surrounding tissue trauma
• Stiffness or limited range of motion — Usually addressed through physiotherapy; rarely requires further intervention
• Anaesthesia-related complications — Assessed and managed by the anaesthesia team during pre-operative evaluation
• Leg length discrepancy — Robotic alignment reduces incidence; monitored post-operatively
• Need for revision surgery — A small proportion of patients may require a revision procedure in the long term

Patients with complex deformities or prior failed implants are managed by senior surgeons experienced in revision joint replacement. For spine-related concerns that may coexist with joint disease, the hospital also provides specialist spine care.

Which surgeons perform Joint Replacement Surgery at Deccan Hardikar Hospital?

Joint replacement procedures at Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune are performed by a team of qualified orthopaedic surgeons with specialised training in arthroplasty and related disciplines:

• Dr. Madan Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics)
• Dr. Onkar Lande — MBBS, Orthopaedics
• Dr. Saurabh Giri — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Fellowship in Revision Surgery Hip & Knee Arthroplasty
• Dr. Sharad Hardikar — MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics)
• Dr. Sachin Nagapurkar — MBBS, DNB, FPOS (Orthopaedics)
• Dr. Ranjeet Rajure — MBBS, DNB, FISS (Spine)

The team manages the full spectrum of joint replacement cases, including complex revision procedures and cases involving significant deformity. Insurance pre-authorisation and documentation are handled by a dedicated TPA desk, supporting cashless admission for eligible patients.