Have unbearable knee pain? Tried all possible non-invasive treatments to get relief but nothing worked? Have been advised knee replacement surgery?
Well, the word ‘surgery’ is not a big one but it may bring a series of scary images to mind. Having said that, it is also essential to mention that ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’.
The Recovery Aspect
For many people struggling with severe knee pain, knee surgery often remains the last resort. However, when you think of surgery, apart from other aspects, you tend to worry about – recovery.
How long will it be before I am back on my feet again? Will it take months? How shall I manage? Those may be some of the prominent questions that stare at you, and give you sleepless nights. You may feel stuck, unable to decide whether to go for surgery or not.
Conventional Vs. Robotic Knee Replacement
Traditional knee replacement surgery, although effective, may require almost 3 months before you can walk comfortably without any support and start performing your routine activities.
While it definitely gives respite from knee pain, allowing you to be independent once again, there is a modern alternative that has simplified things.
We are talking about robotic knee replacement. It offers faster recovery, improved precision, and better long-term outcomes. These are the primary reasons most people today are opting for the robotic variant.
Why Recovery Takes Time After Traditional Surgery
In conventional knee surgery, doctors depend on their experience and manual techniques to remove damaged bone and tissue and fit the artificial implant. Even when surgeons are highly experienced and skilled, this approach may involve bigger incisions, more tissue damage, and more blood loss. Due to this, you may take longer to heal and recover. Specifically speaking, several months of physiotherapy may be required before you are able to walk, climb stairs, and resume a normal lifestyle.
However, people used to opt for it because it gave them freedom from persistent knee pain, and in a few months, they would lead an active life once again. In short, long-term positive effects would outweigh short-term side-effects. Also, till a few years ago, the robotic alternative was not available.
The Robotic Advantage
Robotic-assisted knee surgery emerged as a revolutionary advancement in the domain of orthopaedic surgeries. It has totally transformed knee replacement and has become the preferred choice of patients.
At some super-speciality hospitals, cutting-edge robotic systems allow surgeons to create a 3D model of the patient’s knee prior to the surgery. In fact, surgeons also see virtual surgery, which helps them know in advance aspects like –
- The precise size of incisions
- How much bone will need to be cut
- Accurate implant placement
- Result of the surgery
Apart from this, the robotic arm (with its tiny instruments) assists the surgeon during the procedure with unmatched accuracy. This means:
- Smaller cuts and less blood loss
- Minimal damage to surrounding tissues
- More natural alignment of the implant
All these factors translate into a quicker, smoother recovery for the patient.
Faster Recovery, Quicker Return to Life
Patients who undergo robotic knee replacement often say that pain was quite bearable – both during and after surgery. Some even assert that they did not even feel the procedure, so little was the pain!
The point is that pain, tissue damage, and blood loss are significantly less than that in traditional knee surgery. Most patients start walking with support (walker or cane) within a day or two. Rehabilitation is easier, as the knee feels more natural and stable. Sometimes, physiotherapy for just 15 days proves enough for recovery. Within a month, many patients start going for daily walks, driving vehicles, and performing all other tasks. Some actually repent why they did not get robotic knee replacement earlier.
Such quick recovery is a blessing for knee patients, especially working professionals, homemakers, and elderly patients who want to be independent in the shortest possible time.
Long-Term Benefits
You might be concerned only about the duration of recovery. But robotic knee surgery is not limited to just faster healing. It also helps extend the life of the implant by ensuring perfect alignment so that the implant functions more like a natural knee and lasts for years. So, another benefit of robotic knee replacement is that patients rarely need revision surgery in the future.
Final Thoughts
If knee pain is hampering your life, but you are hesitant about surgery because you think recovery might take long, robotic knee replacement may be the ideal choice for you. It offers enormous benefits over its traditional counterpart – greater precision, less pain, and a faster return to normal life.
If you or a loved one is considering knee replacement surgery, it would be worthwhile to opt for robotic knee surgery. With an experienced knee surgeon, like Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva, it could be your key to a faster, smoother recovery. Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva is an acclaimed name in robotic knee replacement, making advanced healthcare accessible to all.
