Patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery in Fortis Hospital are routinely mobilized within hours of surgery - thanks to newer anaesthetic and pain control techniques. Not only this, patients who opt for special waterproof skin closure can also have a shower the day after the surgery. This is a tremendous boon in our hot, humid climate.

Thorough pre-admission counselling and screening by the entire team comprising of the surgeon, anaesthetist, physician, and physiotherapist means that patients are fully aware of what to expect- Admission on the day prior to surgery gives the patient a chance to not only clarify any doubts but also to be counselled again by the team. Patients are also given an antiseptic bath.

Following surgery, patients are routinely monitored for 24hours in the surgical ICU. As patients are mobilized soon after the surgery, they are able to use a bedside commode- so no more bedpan!

All these measures improve the patients' sense of well-being and comfort. These in turn lead to negligible complication rates, improved patient compliance and faster all-round recovery. In fact, most patients are ready for discharge within 2-3days after the operation.

DR. RONEN ROY

Director - Orthopedics