Joint Replacement Surgery

Tattvam Clinic offers total knee replacement (TKR), unicompartmental knee replacement, total hip replacement (THR), shoulder replacement, and revision surgery for failed prior implants. Dr. Vinod Nair also performs arthroscopic-assisted procedures and resurfacing techniques where joint preservation is still feasible. Each case is evaluated individually — partial replacement options are always explored before recommending a total prosthesis. Our implant portfolio includes cementless, cemented, and hybrid fixation systems from internationally certified manufacturers.

Most primary joint replacement procedures at Tattvam Clinic take between 60 and 120 minutes in the operating theatre. A routine total knee replacement typically takes 75–90 minutes, while a total hip replacement averages 60–75 minutes. Revision surgeries or cases involving significant deformity correction may require additional time. Patients are usually in the recovery room for 1–2 hours post-operatively before being transferred to the ward, where physiotherapy begins the following morning.

Recovery is progressive and patient-specific, but at Tattvam Clinic most patients follow this timeline: walking with a frame within 24 hours of surgery; hospital discharge by day 3–5; independent mobility at home within 4–6 weeks; return to office work and light activity by 6–8 weeks; and resumption of low-impact exercise such as walking and swimming by 3 months. Dr. Divyani Gawande's physiotherapy team provides both in-clinic sessions and a structured home exercise programme to ensure continuous progress. Full bone remodelling around the implant completes over 6–12 months.

With modern implant materials and surgical techniques, the majority of joint replacements last 15–25 years. National joint registry data shows that approximately 90–95% of knee and hip replacements are still functioning well at the 15-year mark. Implant longevity is influenced by patient weight, activity level, implant type, and surgical technique. Dr. Vinod Nair selects implants tailored to each patient's anatomy and lifestyle to maximise durability. Younger, more active patients receive prosthetic designs engineered for higher wear-resistance and longer service life.

You may be a suitable candidate if you have moderate-to-severe joint pain that limits everyday activities (walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair), pain that persists at rest or at night, significant joint stiffness, and X-ray evidence of severe cartilage loss or bone damage. Age is not an absolute contraindication — Dr. Nair has performed successful replacements in patients from 45 to 85 years. Obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions are evaluated and optimised before surgery rather than used as automatic exclusions. The best way to determine candidacy is a personal consultation at Tattvam Clinic.

Joint replacement is one of the most successful elective surgical procedures, and serious complications are uncommon. Potential risks include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), infection, nerve or vessel injury, implant loosening over time, and stiffness if rehabilitation is delayed. At Tattvam Clinic, Dr. Vinod Nair uses anticoagulation protocols, antibiotic prophylaxis, and minimally invasive techniques to minimise these risks — maintaining a complication rate well below national averages. All patients receive detailed pre-operative counselling so they can make an informed decision and are closely monitored throughout the entire care pathway.