Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal, MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Founder & Owner, MAHI Multispeciality Hospitals, Kilpauk, Chennai.
Last medically reviewed: August 2026
Total Knee Replacement Surgeon in Chennai
There’s a specific moment a lot of patients describe to me during their first consultation. It’s not the pain itself. It’s the day they stop trying to hide it. Maybe they let go of a grandchild’s hand on the stairs instead of pretending they didn’t need to. Maybe they finally admit to their spouse that the knee has been “off” for a year, not a week.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably somewhere in that timeline, past the point of ignoring it, but not yet sure what to do about it. This isn’t a page trying to convince you that surgery is your only option. It’s meant to help you ask the right questions, understand what actually separates one surgeon from another, and figure out whether you’re at the stage where a consultation makes sense.
First: Do You Actually Need a Surgeon Yet, or Just an Opinion?
This gets skipped in a lot of medical content, so let’s be direct about it. Most people who type “total knee replacement surgeon in Chennai” into Google aren’t booking surgery that week. They’re doing one of three things:
- Trying to figure out if their knee pain has crossed the line from “manage it” to “fix it”
- Comparing a recommendation they already received from another doctor
- Researching before a parent’s or spouse’s consultation
All three are legitimate reasons to be here, and the honest answer is: a good surgeon should be able to tell you clearly, within one consultation and a set of X-rays, which category you’re in. If a doctor pushes straight to surgery without first showing you imaging and explaining what it shows, that’s a reasonable moment to get a second opinion, not because they’re wrong, but because you deserve to understand your own joint before agreeing to replace it.
Meet Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal
Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal is the Founder of MAHI Hospitals, where he provides specialised orthopaedic and joint replacement care. With more than 18+ years of clinical experience, he holds an MBBS and MS in Orthopaedics, along with advanced fellowship training in Joint Replacement Surgery and additional clinical training in Germany and Australia.
At MAHI Hospitals, Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal focuses on comprehensive knee and joint replacement care, including primary and complex revision knee replacement procedures. He has also served as the Clinical Lead for Robotic Joint Replacement at Medway Hospitals and currently practices as a Senior Joint Replacement Surgeon at MGM Healthcare.
Patients from Kilpauk, Chetpet, Egmore, Nungambakkam, Aminjikarai, and other parts of Chennai consult him for personalised evaluation and treatment of advanced knee problems, including cases where knee replacement may be recommended.
What Actually Separates One Knee Replacement Surgeon From Another
Every surgeon’s website says “experienced” and “advanced techniques.” Here’s what those words should actually translate to when you’re sitting across from someone deciding on your knee:
- Case volume in this specific procedure, not orthopedics broadly. A surgeon who does 300 knee replacements a year sees patterns a general orthopedic surgeon handling fractures, sports injuries, and joint replacements as a mix simply won’t encounter as often: unusual anatomy, prior injuries, deformities that need correcting alongside the replacement.
- Whether they explain trade-offs, not just benefits. Robotic assistance, for example, genuinely helps with implant alignment precision. But it isn’t automatically “better” for every patient, and a surgeon worth trusting will tell you when a conventional approach is just as appropriate for your case rather than upselling technology.
- Continuity of care after the operating room. The surgery is maybe two hours. Recovery is months. Ask who manages your physiotherapy, how often you’ll be reviewed, and what happens if something feels wrong at week three, not week one.
- Where they operate, and why it’s relevant to you. A surgeon who practises at hospitals with a dedicated joint-replacement recovery team (not a general surgical ward) tends to produce smoother recoveries, simply because the nursing and physio staff around you are used to this specific recovery curve.
A Realistic Look at Who Ends Up Needing This Surgery
Knee replacement isn’t only an “old age” procedure, and it isn’t only for people who’ve tried nothing else. In practice, patients tend to fall into a few groups:
| Patient Profile | What’s Usually Going On | Typical Path |
| 60s–70s with gradual knee pain | Age-related osteoarthritis, slow cartilage breakdown | Tried medication/physio for years, now bone-on-bone on X-ray |
| 40s–50s with both knees affected | Rheumatoid or another autoimmune arthritis | Often referred by a rheumatologist once joint damage is confirmed |
| Any age, one knee, history of injury | Post-traumatic arthritis from an old accident or sports injury | Pain resurfaces years after the original injury seemed “healed” |
| Sudden severe pain, fast progression | Avascular necrosis (blood supply loss to part of the bone) | Usually needs faster evaluation than typical arthritis cases |
If you recognise your situation in more than one row, that’s common. It’s exactly why an X-ray and a physical exam matter more than self-diagnosis based on symptoms alone.
Questions Worth Asking at Your First Consultation
Most patients walk into a first consultation focused on one question, “do I need surgery?”, and walk out without asking the things that actually affect their experience. Consider bringing these:
- What exactly does my X-ray show, and can you point to it?
- Have you handled cases with my specific complication (deformity, prior surgery, autoimmune condition)?
- What’s your typical hospital stay and return-to-walking timeline for someone my age and fitness level?
- Who’s on my recovery team, and how do I reach them if something feels wrong at home?
- What would make you not recommend surgery yet?
That last question matters more than people realise. A surgeon who can clearly explain when not to operate is usually one who’ll be straight with you about when to.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgery, Explained Without the Jargon
- Total Knee Replacement – all three surfaces of the joint are resurfaced. This is the default when damage is widespread.
- Partial Knee Replacement – only the damaged compartment (often the inner side) is replaced. Smaller incision, faster recovery, but only suitable when damage is genuinely contained to one area.
- Bilateral Knee Replacement – both knees done together or in close succession, for patients whose fitness supports a longer combined recovery instead of two separate rehab periods.
- Revision Knee Replacement – replacing a worn or loosened implant from an earlier surgery. More technically demanding due to existing scar tissue and bone changes.
- Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement – uses a pre-surgical 3D scan and robotic guidance for implant positioning. A precision tool, not a replacement for surgical judgment. If you specifically want to go deeper on this, see our dedicated guide on robotic vs. traditional knee replacement.
Recovery: What’s Actually Realistic, Week by Week
Recovery timelines get oversold in both directions online: either “you’ll be back to normal in a week” or horror stories that scare people away from a procedure that genuinely helps most patients. Here’s a grounded version:
- Day 1: Assisted standing and a few steps, usually with a walker.
- Week 1–2: Hospital discharge (typically 2–4 days in), walking short distances at home with support.
- Week 3–6: Reduced reliance on walking aids for many patients; physiotherapy intensifies.
- Week 6–12: Noticeable improvement in walking distance and confidence on stairs.
- Month 3–6: Most patients report the “new normal,” significantly less pain, though full strength can keep improving for up to a year.
The single biggest factor separating a good recovery from a frustrating one isn’t the surgery. It’s whether physiotherapy is followed consistently, especially in the first six weeks when stiffness can set in quickly if movement is delayed.
What Total Knee Replacement Costs in Chennai and What Actually Drives the Number
There’s no single honest figure to quote here, and any page that gives you one exact number without seeing your case is oversimplifying. What genuinely moves the cost:
- Type of procedure (unilateral vs. bilateral vs. revision)
- Whether robotic assistance is used
- Implant brand and material (including nickel-free options for patients with metal sensitivities)
- Hospital room category
- Insurance coverage and cashless approval process
- Any additional management needed for pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease
The only reliable way to get a real number is a consultation where your case, hospital preference, and insurance situation are actually reviewed together.
Why Choose Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal for Knee Replacement Surgery?
Choosing a knee replacement surgeon is an important decision, particularly when pain has started affecting your walking, sleep, work, or everyday independence. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal brings more than 18+ years of orthopaedic experience, with a strong focus on joint replacement and modern knee surgery.
Extensive Experience in Joint Replacement
Knee replacement requires more than simply replacing a damaged joint. Careful assessment, appropriate implant selection, surgical planning, and post-operative rehabilitation all contribute to the overall outcome. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal’s experience in orthopaedic and joint replacement care allows him to evaluate each patient individually and recommend treatment based on their condition, mobility needs, and overall health.
Advanced Surgical Techniques
Depending on the patient’s knee condition and suitability, Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal may consider advanced approaches such as robotic-assisted knee replacement. These technologies can support detailed surgical planning and help with accurate implant positioning. However, the decision to use robotic assistance is based on the patient’s anatomy, diagnosis, and clinical requirements rather than technology alone.
Convenient Access to Ongoing Care in Chennai
Knee replacement recovery does not end when the surgery is completed. Follow-up consultations, physiotherapy, wound care, mobility exercises, and regular progress assessments are important parts of rehabilitation. Based in Chennai, Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal provides access to ongoing orthopaedic care for patients from areas such as Kilpauk, Egmore, Nungambakkam, and surrounding locations.
A Team-Based Approach to Recovery
Successful knee replacement involves more than the surgeon. Anaesthesia, nursing care, physiotherapy, pain management, and rehabilitation all play important roles throughout the treatment journey. A coordinated care team can help patients understand what to expect before surgery and support them through the different stages of recovery.
Treatment Focused on the Individual Patient
Every knee is different, and so is every patient’s recovery. Rather than recommending the same approach for everyone, the treatment plan should consider the severity of joint damage, age, activity level, medical history, expectations, and rehabilitation needs. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal follows an individualised approach to help patients make informed decisions about their knee replacement treatment.
What Patients Say
I underwent knee replacement surgery last year under Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal, and my experience was excellent. From the initial consultation to post-surgery follow-ups, he was very professional, patient, and reassuring. The surgery went smoothly, and the recovery process was well guided with proper care and support.
Before the surgery, I had severe knee pain and difficulty walking, but now I can move comfortably and perform my daily activities with much less pain. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal explained every step clearly and made me feel confident throughout the treatment.
I sincerely thank him and his team for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care. I would highly recommend Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal to anyone considering knee replacement surgery.
Ready to Get Clarity on Your Knee?
If you’re past the point of managing knee pain on your own and want a clear, honest answer about whether surgery makes sense for you, an initial consultation is the fastest way to find out. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal reviews your X-rays, examines your knee, and walks you through your realistic options, without pressure to commit to anything on day one.
Book an appointment with Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal
Consultations available at:
- MAHI Multispeciality Hospitals,Kilpauk
- MGM Healthcare, Aminjikarai
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