What Happens During a Joint Replacement Surgery?
By Dr. Sourav Shukla
Director, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Medanta Lucknow
(Best Orthopedic Surgeon | Best Joint Replacement Surgeon | Best Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon | Best Robotic Knee Surgeon)
🏥 Introduction
For many patients, the words “joint replacement surgery” sound intimidating.
But in reality, it’s a scientifically precise, safe, and pain-managed procedure that can restore mobility and transform your quality of life.
Dr. Sourav Shukla, one of India’s most trusted names in orthopedics and robotic joint replacement, believes that awareness reduces anxiety.
“When patients understand what happens during surgery, their fear turns into confidence — and recovery becomes faster.”
This blog takes you inside the operation theatre to explain, step-by-step, what really happens during knee and hip replacement surgeries, especially with robotic technology.
🦵 Step 1: Pre-Surgery Planning and Preparation
The process begins days before surgery.
You’ll undergo thorough medical evaluations, blood tests, and imaging (X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs).
Using these images, Dr. Sourav Shukla and his team at Medanta Lucknow create a 3D virtual model of your joint — the foundation of robotic precision.
This pre-planning allows the robotic system to map your joint structure, calculate the exact angle, and plan bone cuts with sub-millimeter accuracy.
This ensures the new implant fits your anatomy perfectly — just like a tailor-made suit.
💉 Step 2: Anesthesia and Surgical Setup
On the day of surgery, anesthesia is administered — usually spinal or regional — keeping you relaxed and pain-free.
Monitors continuously track your heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure.
Dr. Shukla’s experienced anesthesiology team ensures you remain comfortable, stable, and safe throughout the procedure.
Meanwhile, the robotic surgical system is calibrated and connected to your 3D joint model, ready to assist Dr. Shukla in executing the plan precisely.
⚙️ Step 3: The Surgical Procedure — What Really Happens
🦿 A. For Knee Replacement:
1. A small incision is made to expose the joint.
2. The robotic arm maps your knee in real-time, confirming bone alignment.
3. Dr. Sourav Shukla controls every movement — the robot acts as an intelligent assistant, ensuring unmatched precision.
4. Only the damaged cartilage and bone are removed; healthy structures are preserved.
5. A custom-fitted implant is positioned exactly as planned — ensuring perfect symmetry and balance.
🦴 B. For Hip Replacement:
1. The damaged ball-and-socket joint is carefully resurfaced.
2. The robotic system guides implant placement, achieving ideal angles and joint alignment.
3. The new artificial components are fitted securely for smooth, natural motion.
The entire procedure typically takes 60–90 minutes per joint, depending on the case complexity.
🤖 Step 4: Robotic Assistance — Precision Beyond Human Limits
Unlike traditional surgery, robotic joint replacement is guided by technology that:
✅ Analyzes thousands of data points in real-time
✅ Prevents even microscopic surgical errors
✅ Ensures implant accuracy within a fraction of a millimeter
✅ Minimizes soft tissue damage and bleeding
As Dr. Sourav Shukla explains:
“The robot doesn’t replace the surgeon — it enhances the surgeon’s ability.
Every move is still under my control, but with robotic support, every cut and placement is absolutely precise.”
This precision leads to better function, less pain, and faster recovery.
🩹 Step 5: Wound Closure and Recovery Room Care
After implant placement, the surgical area is cleaned, and the incision is closed with fine sutures.
A sterile dressing is applied, and the patient is shifted to a recovery room for observation.
You’ll be closely monitored for a few hours as the anesthesia wears off. Most patients are awake and comfortable soon after surgery.
Within 24–48 hours, patients under Dr. Shukla’s care at Medanta Lucknow typically start walking with support, thanks to robotic precision and minimal tissue trauma.
🧘 Step 6: Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
Recovery doesn’t end in the operating room — it begins there.
Physiotherapy starts the next day, focusing on gentle exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore balance.
Dr. Shukla’s team provides a personalized rehab plan tailored to your age, fitness level, and surgical outcome.
Most patients can:
• Climb stairs in 2–3 weeks
• Resume normal daily activities within 4–6 weeks
• Return to full fitness in a few months
💬 Dr. Sourav Shukla’s Expert Perspective
“Joint replacement today is not just surgery — it’s science, technology, and compassion working together.
My goal is to help patients walk out of pain and back into life — faster and stronger than they ever imagined.”
— Dr. Sourav Shukla, Director, Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Medanta Lucknow
🌟 Why Patients Choose Dr. Sourav Shukla & Medanta Lucknow
✅ Director of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Medanta Lucknow
✅ Expert in robotic knee and hip replacements with international training
✅ Minimal pain, minimal incision, maximum precision
✅ High success rate and superior patient outcomes
✅ Comprehensive rehabilitation support
Under his leadership, Medanta Lucknow has become a center of excellence for robotic joint replacement surgery in North India.
📞 Take the Step Toward a Pain-Free Future
If you’re considering knee or hip replacement surgery, it’s natural to feel uncertain.
But knowing what truly happens — and being treated by the right expert — makes all the difference.
Consult Dr. Sourav Shukla at Medanta Lucknow to experience world-class orthopedic care powered by robotic precision and compassionate expertise.
Reclaim your freedom of movement. Walk again — without pain, without fear.