New Path to Pain Relief for Patients: Not Every Patient Needs Knee Replacement – Dr. N.K. Agarwal

Chandigarh [India], January 12:Today, knee discomfort is a common yet serious problem due to aging, a busy life, and a fast changing lifestyle. Knee pain was previously thought to be primarily a problem for the elderly, but younger individuals are now starting to suffer it as well. Many people now find it difficult to move for a time, sit on the ground, or climb stairs. Patients are frequently encouraged to choose knee replacement after medicine, physical therapy, and injections fail to provide relief.Fear, expense, problems, treatment failure, and lengthy recovery are some of the reasons why many individuals wish to put off knee replacement surgery, but they believe there are no other options.

Thousands of Knee Surgeries Performed

Senior Orthopaedic specialist Dr. N. K. Aggarwal from Ludhiana is trying to change this mindset. Having trained at best centres in India and abroad, he has served at centres of excellence in India, UK, Europe and USA. He returned to his motherland to serve and provide state of the art services to his countrymen. Dr Aggarwal has been Head of Orthopaedics at CMC and Professor of Arthroplasty & Traumatology at DMC, Ludhiana. After performing thousands of knee replacement surgeries for 35 years, he has concluded that knee pain is not just a joint problem but can be sign of a disease related to the entire body. As part of his service to society he is providing these treatments without any fees to retired army personnel.

Dr. Aggarwal explains in simple Q & A format, why knee pain is increasing, the limitations of knee replacement, and how appropriate treatment at the right time can lead to a better life without surgery. We spoke to him in easy language.

Question 1: Why has knee pain become so common today?

Answer: People are living longer than before. As age increases, there is more pressure on the knees. Years of exertion, movement, and weight, affect the joints. This is why knee pain and arthritis are on the rise.

Question 2: You’ve been performing knee replacement surgeries for several years. What does your experience say?

Answer: I have been doing knee replacement surgeries for about 35 years. Initially, knee replacement was considered a revolutionary and best treatment. However, with increasing experience we have realized that there are some down sides to Knee Replacement Surgery.  Though the complication rate after Knee Replacement is usually less than 5%, however even in whom the surgery is successful, 20 -25 % patients are not satisfied as they are not relieved of their symptoms. Even those who are happy after Knee Replacement, after about 15 years, some patients started experiencing issues. This made me feel that perhaps we weren’t understanding the real cause of the disease.

Question 3: Has the surgery technique improved over time?

Answer: Yes, the technique has improved. There is less bleeding, there is less post-operative pain and patients recover faster. But problems like risk of complications, dissatisfaction even after a successful surgery, loosening of the implant, wear and tear, or infections still occur. This indicated that we need to find a better treatment, attacking the root cause of disease.

Question 4: How did you attempt to reach the root of the disease?

Answer: Three to four years ago, I started studying deeply—not just about Knee Replacement, but also about why and how Knee Pain starts and relation of other bodily diseases to Knee pain. I noticed a common factor among back pain, knee arthritis, and heart diseases.

Question 5: What is that common factor?

Answer: It is the systemic inflammation, meaning internal swelling throughout the body. As we age, the body’s metabolism slows down, hormones change, and there is a constant low-level inflammation. This inflammation gradually cause deterioration of the knee joints.

Question 6: Is knee arthritis just a joint problem?

Answer: Absolutely not. Previously, we thought only the cartilage was wearing out. But if there is ongoing inflammation in the body, merely treating the knee will not suffice. It’s essential to correct the body’s overall metabolic imbalance and treat the systemic inflammation.

Question 7: Did this thinking lead to the initiation of 360-degree treatment?

Answer: Yes. We developed a treatment that works on both the knees and the entire body. Since the disease is related to the whole body, the treatment should also be comprehensive.

Question 8: What does this 360-degree treatment include?

Answer: Local treatment includes modern biological techniques by using patients own healing capacity with injections of PRP (platelet-rich plasma), PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Cells), stem cell therapy, bone marrow concentrate, and sometimes amniotic tissue derivatives. The body treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, improving metabolism, taking appropriate supplements, and offering personalized advice for each patient.

Question 9: How does this approach differ from knee replacement?

Answer: These treatments are minimally invasive. Normally, there’s no need for hospitalization, and no anaesthesia is required. The patient comes in, gets treated, and goes home same day. No major surgery and no bed rest is needed. It extremely safe and if needed, after few years, the treatment can be easily repeated.

Question 10: What results have you seen so far? What message do you have for patients?

Answer: We have treated more than 150 Knees, with our new protocol. The results are very good and satisfying in more than 95% patients. Pain decreases, walking becomes easier, and daily life improves. Many patients who were advised to undergo knee replacement are now able to move well without surgery. My message is not to ignore the pain. Timely treatment can manage inflammation and preserve your knees for a long time.

What is Systemic Inflammation?

It is a condition characterized by slow and continuous inflammation inside the body. It is caused by poor diet, lack of activity, aging, hormonal changes, genetic causes and metabolic imbalance.

Question 11: Being a surgeon, earning from expensive surgeries like Knee Replacement, why are you offering this non-surgical treatment?

Answer: This is a good question. I have been asked many times, mostly from my own fraternity. As a doctor, my objective is not just to earn money, but to offer the best possible, safe, affordable and appropriate treatment to my patients. I have always considered earning to be a bye product of my honest services to society and not the primary objective of my work.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult a doctor before taking any decisions.