“It’s a surgery…It’s going to be painful!” If you are also someone who is suffering from knee pain but reluctant to undergo knee replacement surgery for fear of pain, you must read this blog.
Before we go into details, it is worth mentioning that rapid advancements in medical technology allow many people to undergo knee replacement surgery without even realising when the surgery is over.
A key feature of modern knee replacement is that you are awake when the surgery is performed. Knee replacement generally requires regional anaesthesia. What it means is only your legs are numbed with anaesthesia.
A common reaction of patients who choose knee surgery at Sohana Hospital, Mohali, is – “I did not even realise when the surgery was done; it was virtually painless! How I wish I had made this decision earlier!”
Also Read: Common FAQs About Knee Replacement Recovery – Answered by an Orthopaedic Surgeon
Years of Knee Pain vs Pain with Knee Replacement Surgery
Most patients make the life-changing decision of undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) after struggling with severe knee pain for years. They only consider knee surgery when they can no longer tolerate knee pain.
After being treated by highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons at Sohana Hospital, patients often recount that the constant knee pain they had before surgery is far more severe and hard to bear than the combined pain during surgery and recovery.
*Note: Not every patient requires knee replacement – many of our patients benefit from physiotherapy, medications, weight management, injections, PRP therapy, hyaluronic treatment, stem cell therapy, or arthroscopy. Surgery is recommended only when all other treatments prove ineffective.
Also Read: Stem Cell Therapy for Knee: Can It Delay Knee Replacement?
What Makes Modern Knee Replacement Virtually Pain-Free?
While earlier the operation was done manually, today you have advanced options like:
- Robotic knee replacement surgery
- Intellijoint knee replacement surgery
Robotic knee replacement at Sohana Hospital is done using the CUVIS robot. It includes cutting-edge features that offer numerous benefits to the patients, such as:
- Saving of healthy tissue
- Less blood loss
- Low complication risk
- Personalised surgery
- Better implant positioning
All these aspects translate into a relatively painless surgery as compared to conventional knee replacement.
Intellijoint AI-guided knee replacement takes things a notch further, making the surgery even more precise and virtually pain-free – by providing real-time measurements for more accurate implant positioning and personalisation.
Advanced surgical technology + Modern anaesthesia techniques + Expert surgeons = Virtually painless surgery
Click to Watch >> “I did not even know when the surgery was done!”: Mrs. Manleen Ahluwalia, after her robotic knee replacement surgery of both knees.
Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery: First 24–72 Hours
The initial 24-72 hours after knee surgery is the time when patients may experience maximum discomfort. It is the body’s natural response as it starts recovering post-surgery.
However, you do not need to worry. Modern techniques help you here, too. The medical team takes care of pain management very carefully during this time. They may use one or more of the following:
- IV (Intravenous) pain medications
- Medicines to control inflammation
- Anaesthetic injections in the knee region
- Ice application for swelling control
- Physiotherapy the same day of surgery
Physiotherapy helps control stiffness and enhance blood circulation, and promotes recovery.
Also Read: Why You Need Physiotherapy After Knee Replacement Surgery
Pain Control During Recovery After Knee Replacement
A key aspect that sets modern orthopaedic treatment apart is pain control. A multipronged pain management strategy is followed at leading hospitals to help minimise pain and help patients recover faster.
You may be prescribed:
- Oral pain medicines
- Inflammation-control medications
- Nerve blocks in the knee area
- Cold compressions with ice
- Structured physiotherapy
Sohana Hospital provides tailored rehab to enhance movement and flexibility in the new knee joint while reducing pain.
Click to Watch >> “Never thought I could recover in just 1.5 months after surgery!” : Mr. Bhawanjeet Singh, who started walking, driving, and working again after his knee replacement surgery
How Long Does Pain Last After Knee Replacement Surgery?
Pain slowly reduces as the knee recovers. Most patients opting for modern surgical technologies like robotic knee replacement or Intellijoint AI-guided knee replacement surgery often experience a significant recovery within 30-45 days. By this time, only negligible discomfort remains.
Also Read: What Happens If You Delay Knee Replacement for Too Long?
Here’s how the typical recovery timeline often looks:
- First 2 weeks: Mild to moderate pain as the surgical wound heals
- 2 – 4 weeks: Significant pain reduction as you move more
- 4 – 6 weeks: Most patients resume normal routine, including driving
- After 6 weeks: You can even travel by air to other countries
*Note: Recovery is closely related to how sincerely you follow your doctor’s advice on physiotherapy and various other aspects. Always seek your doctor’s approval before you start driving or want to travel.
Also Read: Patient’s journey to recovery: Robotic knee replacement surgery
Which Pain is Worse: Post-Surgery Pain or Arthritis Pain?
A lot of patients report that chronic arthritis pain was far more severe and unbearable than the post-surgery pain.
Also, arthritis-related knee pain often worsens with time, making everyday tasks difficult. The list includes standing, walking, going to the washroom, and even sleeping. The opposite is true for surgery-related pain. It continues to subside, and eventually may disappear altogether, taking with it arthritis pain, too.
Once you recover, you start moving comfortably, doing routine tasks on your own, and feeling independent once again. It is your key to an enhanced quality of life.
*Note: Most patients experience significant pain relief, though mild stiffness or occasional discomfort may persist in some cases.
Also Read: What is the Best Treatment for Osteoarthritis in Knees?
Other Key Factors that Influence Pain
Post-surgery pain often varies from person to person. While most patients report mild pain, others may experience moderate pain during recovery.
Here are some factors that can affect how much pain you have:
- Your age and general health
- Extent of knee damage before surgery
- The type of knee surgery (partial, total, traditional, robotic, Intellijoint-guided)
- Muscle strength around the affected knee(s)
- Regularity in physiotherapy
Click to Watch >> “I couldn’t walk properly for years… today, I’m back to driving and living independently!“: Mr. Malkiat Singh, a retired soldier, after his painless knee replacement surgery experience
Steps You can Take to Reduce Pain After Knee Replacement
Once you have had a successful knee replacement surgery, a lot depends on you. Here is what you can do for a safe and smooth recovery:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions
- Do not miss even one session of physiotherapy
- Take medications as advised by your doctor
- Keep the surgical site clean and protected
- Use ice to control swelling
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time
- Do not engage in high-impact activities without your doctor’s approval
Also Read: Do’s and Don’ts After Knee Replacement Surgery
A Step Towards a Pain-Free Life
Knee pain can be debilitating. It restricts your movement and freedom, too. But with the advanced knee replacement surgery options, you can say goodbye to knee pain and live an active and pain-free life once again.
Trusted orthopaedic treatment from world-famous specialists like Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva and cutting-edge treatment facilities at Sohana Hospital ensure patients get complete care from the time you enter the hospital to surgery and rehabilitation.