For patients with excruciating knee pain and limited mobility, knee replacement surgery often comes to the rescue. It’s become more prevalent since newer technology has made knee replacement a safer option. Unlike traditional surgery, a robotic knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai uses a robotic arm and other specialized tools to perform this minimally invasive procedure with precision.
The result is a shorter recovery period, less postoperative pain, and significantly reduced risk of surgical complications. If you, too, are considering it, here’s what to expect after robotic knee surgery.
Recovery Timeline: What to Anticipate
Here are the basic guidelines for recovery after knee replacement:
i) Immediate Post-Surgery Phase
In the first few hours after surgery, you will stay in the recovery room, where medical staff will monitor your vitals. You’ll also be encouraged to start walking soon, preferably on the same day as your surgery, to prevent blood clots.
ii) First-Week Recovery Expectations
Walking with crutches, a cane, or other walking aids is recommended during the first week after knee replacement surgery. You’ll mostly rest and be on pain medication in the first week, although physical therapy will start within 2-3 days of the surgery or sooner, depending on your surgeon’s advice.
iii) Long-term Recovery
By 2-3 months, you will have gained some level of muscle strength and balance, although complete recovery may take a few more months. You can enjoy outings and light exercises. By 6 months, most patients who have undergone robotic knee replacement feel normal and resume their regular chores.
Benefits of Robotic Knee Surgery
- Less Trauma: The biggest selling point of robotic knee replacement is the minimal trauma. Precised bone cuts and perfect alignment of the new implant make the surgery more successful and less traumatic for the patient.
- Smaller Incision: Specialized instruments used during robotic knee replacement allows surgeons to make smaller incisions (around half to one inch long) compared to the traditional 10-inches long incision.
- Shorter Hospital Stay: Smaller incision, precise cuts, and proper bone alignment means faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
a) Pain: Although the surgery is minimally-invasive, it doesn’t completely wipe out pain. You’ll still experience tenderness and discomfort at the surgical site for a few days. The pain should be manageable with medication and rest.
b) Limited Range of Motion: Another challenge is the limited mobility. You might have trouble extending, straightening, or bending your affected knee for a few days, but once the surgical site has healed, your knee mobility will be restored.
c) Swelling: Swelling will stay for a while after surgery. To manage swelling, you can wear compression stockings, keep your legs elevated, and eat a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods.
Here’s what indicates a complication:
- Swelling getting worse
- Excessive pain that doesn’t get better with pain medication
- Unusual discharge from the incision site
- High-grade fever
- Chest pain
While some pain, swelling, and difficulty moving are normal, it’s important to keep an eye on certain red flags and visit an orthopedic hospital in Mumbai if needed.
