Total Knee Replacement

Years Of Experience

Happy Patients

Surgeries Across 4 Countries

About Joint Replacement Surgeon

Dr. Mohan KP

MBBS, MS orthopedics(Madras medical College), Fellowship in adult reconstruction(New York), Fellowship in deformity( Harvard University)

Dr. Mohan puttaswamy is a senior consultant and joint replacement surgeon at Fortis hospital, Bannerghatta road and Indian Orthopedic Research Institute (IORI clinic). With more than a thousand joint replacement surgeries to his credit in the last decade, he has a fantastic reputation in joint replacement speciality in India. He has done his fellowship training under Dr. Kenneth krackow one of the early inventors of total knee arthroplasty. With more than 10 international publications to his credit, Dr. Puttaswamy is a reviewer of the reputed journal of arthroplasty.

Dr. Puttaswamy graduated from Bangalore medical College in the year 2001 and then pursued his post graduation at Madras medical College, topping the University with two gold medals. He then moved to the United States pursuing fellowships in joint replacement surgery with Dr. Ken krackow and he is one of the few Indians who have trained in Harvard University with skills in deformity correction and pediatrics orthopedics. After two formal fellowship training from US, Dr. Puttaswamy has been associated with Fortis hospitals for more than ten years now taking care of complex orthopedic problems in joint replacement. The simple fact that patients from more than 15 countries across the world have sought Dr. Puttaswamy’s care is a testament to his expertise and credibility

FAQ's

How long will the pain last?

Pain after total knee arthroplasty typically lasts for about two weeks after which the patient can manage pain with routine pain medication. Some people feel pain up to about six weeks after surgery. It is not unusual for a patient to have an intermittent increase in pain managed with an occasional ice pack and compression.

Does warmth in my knee mean infection?

It is another common question and makes patients apprehensive. It is not uncommon to have raised temperature around the operated knee for about six months after surgery because of increased blood supply during the healing process. There is localized warmth and should not be confused with fever. One should be concerned if this sensation is associated with fever, malaise, and if there is any discharge from the operated leg.

I feel drowsy in the morning and have sleepless night: do I have depression?

This sensation of changed sleeping pattern persists for about six weeks after Total Knee Replacement. It is better to be active during the day staying awake with distractions like playing with grandkids, watching television, and light activity. The cause of this could be pain medications and recovery from anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about it, and you might need a mild sedative during your night. It is also comfortable to sleep with a pillow between one’s legs during nights.

I went for a walk with my dog and suddenly heard a snap and click in the joint and did I break something?

Metallic clicks are standard after total knee because the plastic component of the knee cap against the metallic component of the femur (thigh bone) can cause clunky noises. The parts are firmly fixed, and you should not worry about minor noises unless it causes severe pain and difficulty to walk. This noise is more noticed when patients are climbing stairs.

How long should I use a walker or a cane?

It is honestly a difficult question to answer for the physical therapist as well as the surgeon because the primary determinant of discarding walking aid is- the patients themselves. If recovery has been excellent, with no medical co-morbidities, some transition directly to cane at the time of discharge and discard walking aids by suture removal. It is essential to know one’s strength and gradually reject aids if they are confident. The thumb rule is to wean out of walker by two weeks and avoid using cane by six weeks.

I have leg swelling two months after joint replacement; is it normal?

Swelling after joint replacement is a very commonly noticed complaint. It is due to the disruption of lymphatic drainage as well as the lack of calf pump action. Patients will see swelling 2-3 months after surgery, and it is more towards the end of the day. Elevation of legs on pillows at night, performing regular calf pumps at night are all helpful in decreasing the swelling.

When can I drive after total knee arthroplasty?

One should avoid driving a car for six weeks after total knee arthroplasty. The problems are of reflexes and the ability to shift feet from the accelerator to Brake. Studies have shown that people regain those reflexes by six weeks. One should also be careful when either sitting or driving a two-wheeler after two months after Knee replacement.

I was told that I would need to take antibiotics after total knee replacement, how long should I need it?

Immediately following total knee replacement, your surgeon will opt to give antibiotics for a couple of days. After that, Antibiotics need to be taken only when undergoing an invasive procedure like tooth extraction or cavity filling. There is a small controversy regarding this antibiotic usage, but most Orthopedic surgeons recommend Antibiotics before dental work to be taken 1 hour before the invasive procedure. We use Amoxicillin 1gm orally 1 hour before the procedure.

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