The most common reason for knee replacement is severe osteoarthritis whose symptoms can no longer be treated with non-surgical knee treatments.

Knee replacement surgery, by replacing the knee joints with artificial knee joints that mimic the natural knee function, puts a stop to the knee joint deterioration, helps patients retain natural knee movements, and gets rid of all the pain, essentially future-proofing the knee joint.

That said, knee osteoarthritis is not the only reason for knee replacement surgery. According to knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora, knee replacement surgery is also recommended in other common conditions that do not respond to conventional knee treatment procedures.

So what are the other common reasons for undergoing knee replacement surgery in Mumbai, other than osteoarthritis? Let’s find out today:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Osteoarthritis (due to aging) is not the only type of arthritis that severely affects the knee joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the lining of the joints (synovial membrane), causing persistent pain, swelling, and eventually articular damage and bone erosion. In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain, swelling, and mobility challenges can significantly impact the quality of life, calling for joint replacement surgery, which can put an end to these symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis: While osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common, post-traumatic arthritis is an under-discussed arthritis that happens after a significant knee injury, such as a fracture around the knee, a severe ligament tear (e.g., ACL or PCL tear), or a meniscal injury. In some cases, even when the knee injury is treated by the knee surgeon, the trauma can damage the articular cartilage.

Now no longer at its best self, this cartilage becomes vulnerable, leading to wear and tear, which eventually shows up in the form of arthritis. If this damage is progressive and persistent, the pain and functional limitation can worsen—making knee replacement surgery the only way out.

Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis) of the Knee: In some cases, the blood supply to the bones in the knee joint is severed (cut off), and this can lead to death of bone tissues, and eventually its collapse. This destruction of bone tissues leads to damage of the joint, pain, and, obviously, severe mobility restrictions. “Osteonecrosis can happen to anyone.

Though trauma is a major cause of this condition, long-term corticosteroid use or excessive consumption of alcohol may also contribute to osteonecrosis,” says leading knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora. If the bone and joint damage in the knee is progressive and significant, knee replacement surgery is the only option that can help stop this damage in its tracks and restore mobility for the patients.

Knee Deformities with Pain and Cartilage Loss: Not just different types of arthritis (rheumatoid or post-traumatic arthritis), severe knee deformities and other abnormalities can also require knee replacement surgery.

“Severe deformities tend to cause uneven loading on the joint, which can accelerate the articular cartilage wear and tear that leads to severe pain and mobility issues. In most cases, these abnormalities can be resolved by non-surgical treatment options. Only when they fail to provide adequate relief and continue to cause knee joint degeneration, knee replacement surgery is prescribed to the patient,” says top knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora.

So, any of the above conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, osteonecrosis to severe deformities- can result in intense pain, swelling, and mobility restrictions, making knee replacement surgery the only treatment option available. Unlike osteoarthritis, any of the above conditions can happen to anyone across any age.

Who Needs Knee Replacement Surgery?

When the symptoms worsen and the knee joint destruction progresses without any respite, knee replacement surgery becomes the only effective option available for the patients to put an end to the pain and give a new lease of pain-free life.

However, the decision to perform knee replacement surgery depends on multiple factors, which vary from patient to patient. If you or your loved ones are suffering from any of the above conditions, the decision to undergo knee replacement surgery must be taken only after reviewing all the medical, diagnostic, and functional evaluations.

If you are in Mumbai and are looking for more information about the treatment for your knee joint condition or the possibility of knee replacement surgery, we suggest you contact knee replacement surgeon Dr. Niraj Vora here @ Call: +91 22 6836 0000