Knee Replacement Surgeon in Chennai

The doctors below are listed with their consulting branch: Kilpauk first, then Tirunelveli and Tondiarpet.

Prof. Dr. S. Sundar

Sr. Consultant Joint Replacement & Tumour Surgeon, Director, Department of Orthopaedics & Medical Director, VS Hospitals (Kilpauk)

Prof. Dr. S. Sundar is a knee replacement surgeon in Chennai whose areas of practice include joint replacement surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder, complex trauma care and the treatment of bone tumours. He also treats general orthopaedic conditions and takes an interest in public awareness on the prevention of osteoporosis. He completed his MBBS at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, and holds an MS in Orthopaedics. He has a fellowship (FIGOF) in primary and revision joint replacement surgery and pelvi-acetabular trauma from the University of Munich, Germany, and a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

View Prof. Dr. S. Sundar’s profile

Dr. J. Panthala Rajakumaran

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, VS Hospitals (Kilpauk)

Dr. J. Panthala Rajakumaran is a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon in Chennai who treats shoulder pain, neck pain, fractures, back pain, arthritis and deformities. He completed his MBBS and MS (Orthopaedics) at Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, and is a member of TMC and TNOA.

View Dr. J. Panthala Rajakumaran’s profile

Dr. Deebak Kumar

Consultant Arthroscopic Surgeon, VS Hospitals (Kilpauk)

Dr. Deebak Kumar is an arthroscopic surgeon in Chennai who consults at the VS Hospitals Kilpauk branch. Arthroscopy is a keyhole technique in which a small camera and fine instruments are passed through tiny incisions to examine and treat problems inside a joint. It is commonly used for conditions such as ligament and meniscus injuries of the knee, cartilage damage and certain shoulder problems. People with persistent joint pain, swelling, locking or a feeling of instability after an injury may be advised to see an arthroscopic surgeon for evaluation. Whether arthroscopy is suitable depends on your examination and imaging findings, and your doctor will discuss the options with you.

View Dr. Deebak Kumar’s profile

Dr. Rajkumar

Orthopaedic Surgeon, VS Hospitals (Tirunelveli and Tondiarpet)

Dr. Rajkumar is an orthopaedic surgeon in Chennai and Tirunelveli who consults at the Tondiarpet and Tirunelveli branches of VS Hospitals. Orthopaedics deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Orthopaedic surgeons treat problems such as fractures, arthritis, joint pain, sports and accident injuries, and joint and spine disorders, using both non-surgical and surgical methods. People with persistent joint or back pain, difficulty walking, swelling or deformity, or an injury that does not heal as expected may be advised to consult an orthopaedic surgeon. Treatment depends on the condition, your examination and imaging findings, and your surgeon will explain the options suitable for you.

View Dr. Rajkumar’s profile

Dr. Rajarajan E

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgery, VS Hospitals (Tondiarpet)

Dr. Rajarajan is an orthopaedic surgeon with expertise in trauma, arthroplasty (joint replacement), arthroscopy and hand surgery. He has academic training from Madras Medical College, Chennai, and fellowship training in arthroscopy and robotic joint replacement surgery. His areas of practice are relevant to patients seeking a knee replacement surgeon in Chennai.

View Dr. Rajarajan E’s profile

Knowing the cause of knee pain helps your doctor choose the right treatment. Common causes include:

• Osteoarthritis: the most common cause, in which the cartilage that cushions the knee gradually wears down.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation and pain.
• Injuries: torn ligaments or cartilage from accidents or sports can lead to ongoing pain and instability.
• Inflammation of surrounding tissues: conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis can cause pain and swelling.
• Excess body weight: extra weight increases the load on the knees and can speed up cartilage wear.

Not all knee pain needs surgery, and an early evaluation helps identify the cause and the options available.

Before surgery is considered, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following, depending on your condition:

• Physiotherapy and strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee
• Weight management where relevant
• Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicines, as advised by your doctor
• Injections into the joint in selected cases
• Walking aids, footwear changes or knee supports
• Activity modification

Knee replacement may be considered when knee pain and stiffness continue to limit your daily life despite non-surgical treatment, and imaging shows significant joint damage. Signs that you may want to discuss it with an orthopaedic surgeon include:

• Severe pain or stiffness that limits walking, climbing stairs or getting up from a chair
• Pain that disturbs sleep or occurs at rest
• Reduced range of motion, with difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
• Persistent swelling that does not settle with rest or medicines, assessed together with your other symptoms and imaging, as swelling alone does not establish the need for replacement
• Visible knee deformity, such as bowing inwards or outwards
• Little or no relief from physiotherapy, medicines or injections

Whether surgery is suitable depends on your symptoms, examination, imaging, overall health and your own goals, and the decision is made together with your surgeon.

In knee replacement surgery, the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with artificial components. These usually include metal components and a durable plastic spacer that allows the joint to move smoothly. In a total knee replacement the surfaces of the whole joint are replaced, while a partial knee replacement is used in selected patients where damage is limited to one part of the knee. The main steps are:

1. Preparation: the area is cleaned and anaesthesia is given. This may be spinal or general anaesthesia, chosen according to your needs and health.
2. Removal of damaged tissue: the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and a small amount of underlying bone.
3. Placement of the implant: the implant is positioned and fitted to restore alignment and allow smooth movement.
4. Closure and recovery: the incision is closed and you are monitored in the recovery area before rehabilitation begins.

Some patients may be suitable for minimally invasive techniques or robotic-assisted surgery. Whether these options are appropriate, and how they compare with conventional surgery for you, depends on your condition and your surgeon’s assessment.

Your evaluation usually begins with a history and physical examination. Tests that may be advised include:

• X-ray: shows bone structure, joint space and the extent of arthritis.
• MRI: may be used in selected cases to look at cartilage, ligaments and soft tissues. It is not routinely required for every knee replacement patient.
• Blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray: may be part of the pre-anaesthetic check to assess fitness for surgery, depending on your age and health.
• Other tests: such as an echocardiogram, only if your doctor feels they are needed because of your heart or other health conditions.

The tests recommended depend on your symptoms, age and medical history. Not every patient needs every investigation.

• Consultation: discuss your condition, options and expectations with your orthopaedic surgeon.
• Medical evaluation: your overall health is assessed, and conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure or heart problems are optimised before surgery.
• Medication review: tell your doctor about all medicines, including blood thinners, as some may need to be adjusted or stopped before surgery.
• Pre-surgery exercises: your surgeon or physiotherapist may advise exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
• Home preparation: plan for your recovery with handrails, a comfortable resting area, a raised toilet seat if needed, and help at home for the first few weeks.
• Stop smoking: smoking can affect wound healing and increase the risk of complications.

Knee replacement may be considered if you:

• Have significant knee pain that restricts everyday activities
• Have persistent stiffness, with or without swelling, that does not settle with treatment
• Have a significant knee deformity
• Have not had enough relief from non-surgical treatment
• Are fit enough for surgery and anaesthesia after evaluation

Some conditions do not rule out knee replacement in every case, but they need to be addressed first or may change the plan:

• Active infection in the knee or elsewhere in the body, which usually needs to be treated before surgery.
• Poorly controlled diabetes, which raises the risk of infection and poor wound healing and should be brought under control first.
• Significant heart, lung or other medical conditions, which need assessment and optimisation before anaesthesia.
• Higher body weight, which may increase mechanical stress on the joint and the risk of certain surgical complications. It is one factor in risk assessment and not an automatic reason to rule out surgery. Your surgeon will assess your overall health and individual risk factors before recommending surgery.

Your surgeon will assess your individual situation and advise whether and when surgery is appropriate.

Recovery varies from person to person and depends on the type of surgery, your overall health and how closely you follow your rehabilitation plan.

• Physiotherapy usually begins soon after surgery, often within a day or two, with guided movement and walking using support.
• Pain-relieving medicines help manage discomfort after surgery.
• Depending on your risk, your care team may also recommend blood-clot prevention measures, such as medication, compression devices and early movement.
• Length of hospital stay and the time taken to return to daily activities differ between patients.
• Regular exercises at home and follow-up visits are an important part of recovery.

As with any major surgery, knee replacement carries risks. Your surgeon will explain them in relation to your own health.

• Infection: uncommon, but it can be serious and may need further treatment or surgery.
• Blood clots: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg, which in rare cases can travel to the lungs.
• Stiffness: some patients have limited knee movement and need extra physiotherapy.
• Implant problems: over time an implant can wear or loosen, and revision surgery may be needed.
• Nerve or blood vessel injury: a small risk during surgery.
• Persistent pain: some patients continue to have pain after surgery.
• Anaesthesia-related risks: these depend on your health and the type of anaesthesia.

Seek urgent medical care if, after surgery, you have

• Chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood
• Fever or chills, or increasing redness, swelling, warmth or discharge at the wound
• Pain, swelling or tenderness in the calf
• A sudden increase in pain or inability to bear weight

Knee replacement can be an option for people whose knee pain and stiffness continue despite non-surgical treatment, but the decision depends on your condition, your overall health and your goals. At VS Hospitals, Chennai, the Orthopaedics team, including Prof. Dr. S. Sundar, Dr. J. Panthala Rajakumaran, Dr. Deebak Kumar, Dr. Rajkumar and Dr. Rajarajan E, provides care for joint, bone and trauma conditions. If knee pain is affecting your daily life, consult an orthopaedic surgeon, such as a knee replacement surgeon in Chennai, for a proper evaluation and a discussion of your options.

This article is for general information and awareness only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a qualified doctor for your specific condition.