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
If you have been dealing with knee pain for months and have already tried rest, pain medications, or physiotherapy without lasting relief, you are probably looking for more than a general explanation of knee replacement. You want to know how to choose the right Knee Replacement Surgeon in Chennai, what modern surgical options are available, how the procedure is performed, what you can expect during recovery, and what factors influence the treatment cost. This guide addresses the questions patients commonly ask during consultations and explains the process in clear, simple language.
What Knee Replacement Surgery Actually Involves
Knee replacement, medically called knee arthroplasty, does not mean the whole joint is removed. The surgeon resurfaces the damaged ends of the thigh bone and shin bone, and sometimes the kneecap, with smooth metal and medical grade plastic implants. It is closer to capping a worn tooth than replacing an entire limb. The healthy bone and most of the surrounding ligaments stay exactly where they are. Only the part causing the bone on bone grinding is treated.
People usually reach this stage after osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, an old injury, or years of joint wear have made the cartilage too thin to cushion movement anymore. When walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting cross legged becomes painful despite medication, surgery moves from being an option to being the most effective solution available.
Meet Your Knee Replacement Surgeon in Chennai
Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal, founder of MAHI Hospitals at Poonamallee High Road, Vepery, Chennai. He holds an MBBS and MS in Orthopaedics, and has completed over 18+ years in joint replacement surgery, with additional clinical training in Mumbai, Germany and Australia.
His day to day practice covers both traditional and robotic assisted total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and revision surgery for previously failed implants. He also runs a partnership with the KBSMC Trust to keep quality joint replacement accessible to patients who cannot afford premium private hospital pricing.
If you are searching from areas such as Aminjikarai, Egmore, Anna Nagar, Purasaiwalkam or Ambattur, both clinic locations are within comfortable travelling distance.
Signs You Should See a Knee Replacement Surgeon Soon
Many patients wait far longer than they should, hoping the pain will settle on its own. It rarely does once the cartilage has worn down significantly. Book a consultation if you notice any of the following.
- Knee pain that wakes you up at night or does not ease with rest
- Stiffness that makes bending or fully straightening the knee difficult
- A grinding, clicking or locking sensation inside the joint
- Visible bowing of the legs or a change in how you walk
- Pain that has stopped responding to physiotherapy, injections or tablets
- Reduced confidence walking on stairs, uneven ground or for long distances
- Swelling around the knee that keeps returning
None of these on their own confirm you need surgery immediately. What they do confirm is that it is time for a proper clinical evaluation rather than more guesswork with over the counter medication.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgery Available in Chennai
- Total Knee Replacement (TKR) The most commonly performed option for advanced arthritis. Both the thigh bone and shin bone surfaces are resurfaced, and in most cases this offers the longest lasting pain relief for severe joint damage.
- Partial Knee Replacement Used when damage is limited to just one compartment of the knee. Because healthy bone and ligaments are preserved, recovery is generally quicker and the knee tends to feel more natural during movement.
- Bilateral Knee Replacement For patients with severe arthritis in both knees, this can be performed as a single combined procedure or in two planned stages, depending on age, fitness and the surgeon’s assessment.
- Revision Knee Replacement Required when an earlier implant loosens, wears out, gets infected, or fails structurally. This is technically more demanding than a first time replacement and should only be done by a surgeon with specific revision experience.
Robotic Knee Surgeon in Chennai: What It Actually Changes
A growing number of patients now search specifically for a robotic knee surgeon in Chennai rather than a general knee replacement surgeon, and the distinction matters.
In robotic assisted knee replacement, the surgeon still performs the entire operation. The robotic arm does not operate independently. What it adds is a computer generated 3D map of your unique knee anatomy, built from a CT scan before surgery, which guides bone cuts and implant placement with accuracy that is difficult to match by hand alone.
Practical benefits patients notice include:
- More precise implant alignment, which reduces uneven wear over time
- Better soft tissue balancing, so the knee feels stable rather than tight or loose
- Typically less trauma to surrounding muscle, since planning reduces guesswork during cutting
- A generally smoother early recovery, though this still depends heavily on the patient’s fitness and rehabilitation effort
Robotic technology is a tool, not a replacement for surgical judgement. The result still depends on the surgeon’s experience reading the anatomy, managing complications, and adjusting the plan in real time if something does not match the preoperative scan. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal uses robotic assisted and navigation guided techniques for eligible patients, alongside conventional techniques where they remain the better clinical choice.
How to Choose the Right Knee Replacement Surgeon in Chennai
Chennai has no shortage of orthopaedic surgeons, so narrowing your choice matters. Before you commit to a date, it is worth checking the following.
- Years of hands on experience with joint replacement specifically, not general orthopaedics alone
- Whether the surgeon offers both robotic and conventional techniques, since not every knee is suited to the same approach
- The hospital’s infection control record and accreditation
- Whether costs are explained clearly before surgery, including implant type and hospital stay
- How the surgeon handles complications or revision cases, since this reflects real depth of experience
- Direct access for follow up questions during recovery, rather than being routed only through hospital staff
A short second consultation, even a phone call, is a reasonable way to judge comfort level with a surgeon before scheduling surgery.
What Happens Before, During and After Surgery
Before surgery: Expect blood tests, X rays, sometimes an MRI, and a general fitness check including heart and lung assessment. Patients are usually advised to manage their weight where possible, stop smoking, and begin light strengthening exercises in the weeks leading up to surgery.
During surgery: Performed under spinal or general anaesthesia, the procedure typically takes one to two hours. Damaged cartilage and bone are removed, and the implant is fitted and aligned, using robotic guidance where applicable.
After surgery: Most patients are helped to stand and take a few assisted steps within a day of surgery. Early movement lowers the risk of blood clots and helps the new joint settle faster. Structured physiotherapy begins almost immediately and continues for weeks after discharge.
Recovery Timeline
| Stage | What to expect |
| Day 1 to 2 | Assisted standing and short walks with a walker |
| Week 2 | Noticeable drop in swelling and pain |
| Week 6 | Return to most daily activities with a cane or unaided |
| Month 3 | Near normal strength and flexibility |
| Month 6 | Full functional recovery for most patients |
Recovery pace differs from person to person based on age, weight, prior fitness and how consistently physiotherapy is followed.
Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Chennai
Cost is one of the most common questions patients ask before even discussing surgery, so it deserves a clear answer rather than being avoided.
The overall cost of knee replacement in Chennai depends on several factors, including the type and brand of implant used, whether robotic assisted technology is involved, the hospital room category chosen, the length of hospital stay, and any additional medical conditions that need to be managed before or during surgery. Robotic assisted procedures and premium implants generally involve a higher investment because of the added planning, imaging and technology used during surgery.
Rather than relying on a general estimate found online, it is always best to get a personalised cost breakdown after a proper clinical evaluation. This allows your surgeon to factor in your specific knee condition, implant needs and hospital preferences, so you receive an accurate and transparent picture before deciding on surgery.
Risks and How They Are Managed
As with any surgery, knee replacement carries some risk, including infection, blood clots, stiffness or, rarely, implant loosening over time. Reported complication rates for experienced surgeons at accredited hospitals are generally low, typically under two to three percent for serious issues.
Risk is reduced through sterile surgical protocols, blood clot prevention medication, early mobilisation, and close monitoring during the first weeks of recovery. Choosing a surgeon who is transparent about these risks during consultation, rather than glossing over them, is usually a good sign of genuine experience.
Life After Knee Replacement
- Most patients walk, climb stairs and manage daily routines comfortably within a few months. High impact activities such as running or jumping are generally discouraged long term, since they accelerate implant wear, but walking, swimming, cycling and most low impact exercise remain fully possible.
Maintaining a healthy weight, continuing basic strengthening exercises, and attending scheduled follow up visits all contribute meaningfully to how long the implant lasts. Most modern implants perform well for fifteen to twenty years, and often longer, when properly cared for.
Why Patients in Chennai Choose Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal
- Over 18+ years of dedicated experience in joint replacement surgery
- Trained in Mumbai, Germany and Australia, bringing internationally informed technique to local practice
- Skilled in both robotic assisted and conventional knee replacement, chosen based on what actually suits the patient
- Owner and Founder of MAHI Hospitals at Poonamallee High Road, Vepery, Chennai – 600084
- Works with KBSMC Trust to keep advanced joint care within reach for a wider group of patients
- Direct, personal communication through consultation and recovery, rather than a purely transactional experience
Conclusion
Living with constant knee pain wears you down slowly, until everyday things like climbing stairs, sitting on the floor, or walking to the market start to feel like a challenge. Knee replacement surgery, done at the right time by an experienced surgeon, can genuinely give you that mobility and independence back.
Whether you are exploring conventional total knee replacement or looking specifically for a robotic knee surgeon in Chennai, what matters most is choosing a surgeon who explains your condition clearly, is honest about cost and risk, and supports you through the full recovery journey, not just the day of surgery. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal brings 18 plus years of experience, international training, and both robotic and conventional expertise to help you make that decision with confidence.
Read more: Knee Ligament Surgery.
