Dr. Vikash Kapoor

Patient’s Faqs

1. What is Arthritis?

A: Arthritis is swelling around any joint. It may be due to infection, aging process and inflammation.

2. Is surgery the best treatment for Rotator Cuff Injury?

A: Yes. It gives more stability to the joint. It gives faster recovery and improves function of shoulder joint.

3. Are there any alternative treatment for Arthritis?

A: Yes. Initial stages of Arthritis(age related) can be treated with rest, exercises and viscosupplementation (for better mobility of joints). Infective Arthritis can be treated conservatively with antibiotics.

4. Are there alternative treatments available for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A: Yes. Rheumatoid Arthritis is primarily treated with DMRDs. If the joints are severely damaged then replacements can be done.

5. What is Frozen Shoulder?

A: Frozen Shoulder is stiffness around shoulder joint. Common symptoms of it is pain with restricted movements. It may occur due to an old injury and because of diabetes too.

6. What is Shoulder Dislocation?

A: Shoulder Dislocation is displacement of human head from shoulder joint - primarily due to trauma or sometimes due to weak rotator cuffs.

7. What is Arthroscopic Surgery?

A: Arthroscopic Surgery is minimally invasive or key hole surgery around joints. Usually there are two small holes made - one for the insertion of the arthroscope (camera) and the another one is for shaving of ligaments.

8. What is Joint Replacement Surgery?

A: Joint Replacement Surgery means replacement of articular surfaces of a joint. It may partial replacement or total replacement.

9. What is the longevity of artificial joints?

A: With certain precautionary measurements taken, longevity of artificial joints range from 15 to 20 years.

10. What is an ACL Reconstruction?

A: ACL Reconstruction means preparation of new ACL ligament for knee joints.

11. What is Shoulder Arthroscopy?

A: Meaning of the "word arthroscopy" is "to look within the joint". It is basically a procedure that is used by the Orthopaedic surgeons to investigate, diagnose and repair a problem (if any) inside the joint. Shoulder Arthroscopy is a process where a small camera called arthroscope is inserted into the joint of a human shoulder. The camera is used to display images on a television screen which helps the surgeon to use miniature surgical instruments. Compared to the open surgeries very small cuts or incisions are made using the thin arthroscope and other surgical instruments. The benefits of arthroscopy are patient experiences less pain and also the time for recovery becomes shorter for this procedure.

Shoulder arthroscopy has redefined the surgical procedures by making the recovery, diagnosis and the treatment processes easier and quicker. Continuous changes are being made by the surgeons to develop the techniques for this procedure further.

12. When is a Shoulder Arthroscopy advised?

A: If a patient experiences pain and inflammation in and around the shoulder joint for quite a longer period of time and the same is not arrested by any of the non-surgical treatments available; then the surgeons may advise to go for a Shoulder Arthroscopy.

Following are the conditions for which Shoulder Arthroscopy is required:

• Rotator cuff repair

• Repair of ligaments

• Repair for shoulder dislocation recurrence

• Removal of inflamed loose cartilages or tissues

• Bone spur removal

• Repair or removal of the Labrum

• Fracture repair

• Nerve release

• Cyst excision

13. Difference between a shoulder separation and a shoulder dislocation

A: There is a very common confusion among non-medical people regarding the conditions of shoulder dislocation and shoulder separation. It is very important to clear their notion that both the conditions are same. In reality, these two are completely different conditions in every aspect. First of all, shoulder separation occurs in the Acromioclavicular Joint which is a junction between the clavicle and the scapula. On the contrary, shoulder dislocation takes place when the humerus is displaced. Secondly, treatment procedures, clinical advices, recovery period, complication all these vary from each other for a patient complaining of shoulder separation and the one deals with shoulder dislocation.

Surgical Treatment Related Questions :

1. What is the recovery time?

A: Wound healing takes approximately 2 weeks. Full recovery for pain free and un-assisted walking takes 4 to 6weeks after surgery.

2. When will my staples be removed?

A: Usually after 10-14 days from the date of surgery.

3. How long do I need to keep a bandage on my incision?

A: For 2 weeks.

4. When should i wear the knee immobilizer? When can i discontinue it?

A: The knee immobilizer should be used throughout the night. It can be removed during walking.

5. When can I shower (get incision wet)?

A: After Staples/stitches get removed.

6. When can I immerse my knee in water (e.g. bath, swimming pool, hot tube, etc)?

A: After 2 to 3 weeks.

7. How long will I be on pain medication?

A: It varies depending on the patient's health condition. Usually pain medication is continued for 10 to 14 days.

8. Do I need physical therapy?

A: Yes, regular supervised types for the first 3 weeks and then twice or thrice a week.

9. What are good positions for my knee? What positions should I avoid?

A: You can sit on a chair which is at least 18" high. Avoid sitting on the floor or cross legged.

10. How long will I be on a blood thinner?

A: For 2 weeks.

11. How long should I take iron supplements?

A: For around 1 month or as advised by the surgeon.

12. I am constipated, what should I do?

A: Take leafy vegetables, milk, bananas, high fibers diet.

13. When can I drive?

A: After one and a half months.

14. When can I return to work?

A: Tentatively after 1 month.

15. When can I travel?

A: Tentatively after 1 month.

16. What activities are permitted following surgery?

A: You can sit on the bed, walk to toilet under the supervision of physiotherapists.

17. Can I kneel?

A: You should not try that.

18. Should I use Ice or Hot compression?

A: Ice is advised to be used.

19. How much range of motion do I need?

A: Varies, 0 - 90 degree / 0 - 120 degree (depending upon the type of implant used).

20. What should I expect for my range of motion at 6 weeks? At 1 year?

A: Around 90 degree; 90 - 110 degree.

21. How long will my Total Knee Replacement last?

A: Approximately 15 to 20 years with certain precautionary measurements taken.

22. When do I need to follow up with my surgeon?

A: Usually after 2 weeks from the date of discharge or as advised by the physician.

23. Normal things about your new knee?

A: Painless movements, walking without a stick etc.

24. How will avail a rehabilitation facility at home?

A: For 3 to 5 days initially physiotherapy will be done at hospital. Thereafter rehab protocol can be followed at home under the guidance of an expert physiotherapist.

25. Do I need to use ice or hot compression on my injury or while experiencing swelling?

A: Always ice compression for any types of injury - it will give relief from pain and reduce swelling over the injured area?