Knee Replacement Surgery in Mumbai: What to Expect Before and After

What is knee replacement surgery and who needs it?

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure in which a damaged knee joint is resurfaced with artificial implants to relieve pain and restore mobility. It is recommended when conservative treatments — physiotherapy, medication, and injections — no longer provide adequate relief. S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai provides orthopaedic care for patients requiring both total and partial knee replacement at its Mahim West facility.

The procedure is most commonly performed for severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis that significantly limits daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair.

• Persistent knee pain that does not respond to medication or physiotherapy
• Significant joint stiffness limiting range of motion
• Knee deformity (bowing in or out)
• Failure of previous less-invasive interventions
• Reduced quality of life due to chronic knee disability

What is the difference between total and partial knee replacement?

Choosing between total and partial knee replacement depends on the extent of joint damage identified through clinical examination and imaging. Your orthopaedic surgeon will assess which compartments of the knee are affected before recommending an approach.

Your surgeon will discuss which option is clinically appropriate based on your imaging results, age, activity level, and overall health. Use the booking form on this page to arrange a consultation.

How should you prepare for knee replacement surgery?

Preparation begins several weeks before the procedure. A structured pre-operative plan reduces surgical risk and supports a smoother recovery.

1. Medical evaluation: Blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray, and knee imaging (X-ray or MRI) are completed to assess your overall fitness for surgery.
2. Medication review: Inform your surgeon of all medications, including blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and supplements. Some may need to be paused before surgery.
3. Pre-operative physiotherapy: Strengthening the muscles around the knee before surgery can improve post-operative outcomes.
4. Home preparation: Arrange for support at home, install grab rails if needed, and clear pathways to reduce fall risk during early recovery.
5. Fasting instructions: You will typically be asked to fast for 6–8 hours before surgery. Follow your anaesthetist's specific guidance.
6. Anaesthesia discussion: Your team will explain whether general or spinal anaesthesia is planned and address any concerns.

What does recovery look like after knee replacement surgery?

Recovery from knee replacement surgery follows a phased timeline. Most patients begin walking with assistance within 24 hours of surgery. Full return to daily activities typically takes 6–12 weeks, while complete recovery and maximum implant benefit may take up to 12 months.

Hospital stay is generally 3–5 days, during which physiotherapy begins immediately to prevent stiffness and blood clots.

• Days 1–3: Physiotherapist-guided walking with a frame; pain managed with prescribed medication
• Week 1–2: Transition from walker to crutches; wound care and swelling management
• Week 3–6: Increasing walking distance; stair climbing with support; outpatient physiotherapy
• Week 6–12: Most patients resume light daily activities; driving may be permitted after clearance
• Month 3–12: Continued strength building; return to low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling

Five common mistakes to avoid after knee replacement:

1. Skipping physiotherapy sessions — consistent rehabilitation is essential for regaining full range of motion
2. Returning to high-impact activities too soon, such as running or jumping
3. Ignoring signs of infection — redness, warmth, discharge, or fever require immediate medical attention
4. Remaining sedentary — prolonged bed rest increases clot risk and slows recovery
5. Discontinuing pain management too early, leading to reduced participation in physiotherapy

What exercises should you do after knee replacement surgery?

Physiotherapy-guided exercise is the single most important factor in regaining knee function after surgery. All exercises should be performed under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist, particularly in the first six weeks.

• Ankle pumps: Flex and point the foot repeatedly to improve circulation and reduce swelling — begin on day one post-surgery
• Quad sets: Tighten the thigh muscle while the leg is flat; hold for 5–10 seconds to rebuild quadriceps strength
• Straight leg raises: Lift the leg to 45 degrees while keeping the knee straight; builds hip and thigh strength
• Heel slides: Slide the heel toward the buttocks while lying flat to improve knee flexion
• Short arc quads: Place a rolled towel under the knee and straighten the leg; targets the quadriceps
• Walking programme: Gradually increase distance each day as directed by your physiotherapist
• Stationary cycling: Introduced typically at 4–6 weeks; low-impact and effective for range of motion

Avoid high-impact activities — running, jumping, squatting deeply — until your surgeon confirms the implant is fully integrated, which is typically assessed at the 3-month follow-up.

When should you see a doctor about your knee pain?

Not all knee pain requires surgery. However, certain signs indicate that a specialist orthopaedic assessment is warranted without delay.

• Knee pain that persists for more than 3 months despite rest, physiotherapy, and anti-inflammatory medication
• Significant swelling that does not resolve within 48–72 hours of onset
• Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
• Knee locking, giving way, or catching during movement
• Visible deformity or progressive bowing of the knee
• Night pain that disrupts sleep on a regular basis
• Post-surgery: fever above 38°C, increasing redness or discharge at the wound site, or sudden severe pain in the operated knee

For patients already managing blood disorders or systemic conditions alongside joint disease, S.L. Raheja Hospital's multidisciplinary approach means that haematology and orthopaedic teams can coordinate care where needed.

How does S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai support knee replacement patients?

S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, located at Mahim West, provides orthopaedic surgical care within a multidisciplinary hospital setting. Patients undergoing knee replacement benefit from coordinated pre-operative assessment, in-hospital physiotherapy, and structured post-operative follow-up.

Where patients have coexisting conditions — such as diabetes or endocrine disorders — the hospital's specialist teams work in coordination. Patients with diabetes, for example, require careful peri-operative glucose management; S.L. Raheja Hospital's diabetes care programme supports this alongside surgical planning. Similarly, patients with complex metabolic conditions can access endocrinology services within the same facility.

For patients with blood-related conditions that may affect surgical risk or recovery, the hospital's haematology department provides specialist input as part of the pre-operative workup.