Knee, Hip and Shoulder Replacement - performed with precision, guided by care, and supported through every step of your recovery.
Most people who eventually come to Ashirwad Hospital for joint replacement surgery in Surat did not arrive here the first time they felt pain. They tried painkillers. They went to physiotherapy. They bought a knee brace. They reduced activity, changed their walking style, stopped climbing stairs unless they had no choice. They gave the joint every opportunity to improve on its own - and at some point, it became clear that the joint was not going to.
If that is where you are now - whether it is a knee, a hip, or a shoulder that is limiting your daily life - this page is written for you. It explains what joint replacement surgery involves, when it is appropriate, what the procedure looks like under the care of Dr. Ankit Chaudhari at Ashirwad Hospital in Surat, and what the path to recovery actually looks like, week by week, in realistic terms.
Joint replacement surgery - also called arthroplasty - is a procedure in which the damaged surfaces of a joint are removed and replaced with precisely shaped implant components made of metal alloys and medical-grade polyethylene plastic. The result is a smooth, functioning joint surface that allows movement without the bone-on-bone grinding, inflammation, and pain that characterises advanced joint disease.
Joint replacement surgery at Ashirwad Hospital is performed on three main joints:
The most commonly replaced joint in India, and the most common procedure in Surat's orthopaedic landscape.
Frequently needed in patients with femoral neck fractures, avascular necrosis, or severe hip osteoarthritis.
Performed for severe glenohumeral arthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, or complex proximal humerus fractures.
The procedure is not a first resort. Dr. Ankit Chaudhari recommends joint replacement surgery only when a patient's pain and loss of function are significant, and when non-surgical orthopaedic treatment options - including targeted physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, PRP injections, viscosupplementation, and activity modification - have been genuinely explored and found insufficient.
Patients come to Ashirwad Hospital with very different stories, but the symptoms share a common pattern. Most describe one or more of the following:
Total knee replacement surgery - medically referred to as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) - is the most performed orthopaedic procedure at Ashirwad Hospital in Surat and accounts for the largest proportion of Dr. Ankit Chaudhari's surgical caseload.
The procedure typically takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. Under spinal or general anaesthesia, Dr. Chaudhari makes a longitudinal incision over the front of the knee, carefully removes the damaged cartilage and bone from the femur, tibia, and patella, then fixes precisely shaped implant components using bone cement or a press-fit technique. A high-grade polyethylene bearing surface recreates the smooth gliding action of a healthy knee.
When damage is confined to one compartment - most commonly the medial (inner) compartment - partial knee replacement (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) is a smaller operation with a shorter recovery. Healthy cartilage and cruciate ligaments remain intact, often resulting in a more natural-feeling knee. Dr. Chaudhari assesses eligibility using weight-bearing X-rays and clinical examination.
Patients with severe arthritis in both knees may choose bilateral knee replacement - replacing both knees in the same hospital admission. The advantage is a single recovery period and single anaesthesia exposure. Dr. Chaudhari discusses bilateral versus staged replacement individually based on age, weight, cardiac and pulmonary fitness, and personal preference.
A small proportion of patients develop problems years after a prior replacement: persistent pain, instability, implant loosening, infection, or bone loss. Revision total knee replacement involves removing existing components and rebuilding the joint using modular revision implants and bone graft material. Dr. Chaudhari accepts revision cases at Ashirwad Hospital in Surat.
Hip replacement surgery - total hip arthroplasty (THA) - replaces the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) with implant components that restore smooth, pain-free movement. It is one of the most successful surgical procedures in medicine, with well-functioning implants lasting 20 years or longer in a significant proportion of patients.
Dr. Ankit Chaudhari recommends hip replacement for patients with advanced hip osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, femoral neck fractures in elderly patients, post-traumatic arthritis, or failed hip preservation surgery.
Bone cement locks implant components to the bone. Allows immediate load bearing - preferred in older patients with softer, more porous bone.
Porous implant surface allows the patient's own bone to grow in over weeks. Preferred in younger, active patients with good bone density.
A cemented femoral component with a cementless acetabular cup - the surgeon's choice in certain case profiles.
Shoulder replacement surgery addresses conditions that can be just as disabling as knee or hip disease. Ashirwad Hospital offers shoulder replacement in Surat as part of Dr. Ankit Chaudhari's upper limb surgery expertise.
Replaces the humeral head and resurfaces the glenoid. Appropriate for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff.
Ball and socket positions are reversed - allows the deltoid muscle to power the arm when the rotator cuff is irreparably torn. Has transformed outcomes for rotator cuff arthropathy.
Replaces only the humeral head without resurfacing the glenoid. Used in selected fracture cases where the glenoid cartilage is still intact.
One of the most common questions patients ask before joint replacement surgery is: what kind of implant will be used, and does it matter? The honest answer is yes - implant quality matters, and the choice is made based on clinical factors rather than a single standard.
Younger, more active patients are considered for implant designs with established long-term data at higher activity levels.
DEXA scan results and intraoperative assessment guide the choice between cemented, cementless, and hybrid fixation.
Most knee implants use cobalt-chromium or titanium alloy. Highly cross-linked polyethylene reduces wear. Ceramic-coated surfaces are available for patients with metal sensitivities.
Posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilised (PS) designs serve different knee anatomies. Dr. Chaudhari explains which design is planned and why.
Ashirwad Hospital prioritises implant systems with established national joint registry data showing low revision rates over 10 to 15 years.
Published cost ranges across medical platforms are wide enough to be confusing - figures for knee replacement in Surat range from ₹1,55,000 to ₹8,98,700 depending on the hospital, implant type, and whether it is a single or bilateral procedure. The real cost depends on several specific variables.
Most health insurance policies in India - including central government schemes and major private insurers - cover joint replacement surgery. Ashirwad Hospital works with leading TPA networks to facilitate pre-authorisation and cashless hospitalisation. The billing team handles all documentation and follow-up with the insurer so the financial administration does not fall on the patient or family. Bring your insurance card and policy document to the pre-operative consultation.
Dr. Chaudhari conducts a thorough pre-operative assessment that typically includes a full blood panel, ECG, chest X-ray, weight-bearing X-rays, MRI where indicated, DEXA scan for bone density, and dental clearance for patients with significant dental disease.
Joint replacement surgery is performed under spinal anaesthesia (most common for knee and hip replacement) or general anaesthesia. Spinal anaesthesia numbs the lower half of the body and is associated with lower blood loss in several large studies. The anaesthesiology team discusses all options and risks with every patient before surgery.
Understanding what happens on the day of surgery significantly reduces anxiety. Here is what joint replacement surgery at Ashirwad Hospital looks like from admission to recovery room:
IV line placement, prophylactic antibiotics, skin preparation at the surgical site, and final consent documentation.
Ashirwad Hospital's modular operation theatre features laminar airflow, orthopaedic tables, and instruments for primary and revision joint replacement.
Spinal or general anaesthesia is administered and confirmed before the skin incision begins.
Dr. Chaudhari performs joint exposure, bone preparation, and implant fixation in a controlled, systematic sequence. Total knee or hip replacement typically takes 90 to 120 minutes.
The incision is closed in anatomical layers, and a sterile compression dressing is applied.
Vital signs, pain level, and sensation in the operated limb are monitored closely as anaesthesia wears off.
Once stable, the patient is transferred to the inpatient ward for the overnight or multi-day recovery period.
The timeline below applies primarily to total knee replacement. Hip and shoulder replacement have different milestone schedules that Dr. Chaudhari discusses individually - but the principles (early movement, structured physiotherapy, gradual return to function) are the same across all three joints.
The physiotherapy team begins ankle pumps and gentle muscle contractions within hours of surgery. Most patients take their first steps - with a walker and a physiotherapist assisting - on the first post-operative day. Early walking significantly reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the most significant preventable complication after joint replacement.
Twice-daily physiotherapy sessions focus on knee flexion range of motion, straight leg raises, bed-to-chair transfers, and progressive walking. Pain is managed with a multimodal protocol - oral medications, local anaesthetic techniques, and icing. Most patients are ready for discharge within 4 to 6 days.
The most demanding phase. Swelling is normal and peaks in the first two weeks. Key milestones include reaching 90 degrees of knee flexion by week 4, transitioning from a walker to a single cane, and following the prescribed home exercise programme two to three times daily.
Most patients are walking without any assistive device on flat ground, managing stairs independently, and beginning light domestic activities. Physiotherapy focus shifts to strengthening - progressive resistance exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductors, and calf, plus balance and proprioception training.
Walking distances increase substantially. Patients return to light household work, social activities, travel, and short walks. Driving is typically cleared between weeks 6 and 8 for automatic vehicles. The operated knee continues to feel different from a natural knee for up to 12 months - this is normal and does not indicate a problem.
More than 90% of modern total knee replacements are still functioning well at 15 years, based on published national joint registry data. Hip replacement implants have similar longevity. Dr. Chaudhari schedules long-term follow-up reviews - at 6 weeks, 3 months, 12 months, then annually - to monitor implant position, alignment, and functional status.
Dr. Ankit Chaudhari personally performs every joint replacement procedure and conducts every pre-operative and post-operative consultation. Patients are not assessed by one doctor and operated on by another.
Knee, hip, shoulder, partial, bilateral, and revision procedures are all performed at Ashirwad Hospital. Patients are not referred elsewhere when their case is more complex than a standard primary replacement.
Standing X-rays, MRI, DEXA scanning, and blood investigations are all available on site. The entire pre-operative workup is completed at Ashirwad Hospital.
Patients receive a clear breakdown before surgery rather than an estimate that grows at billing.
Dr. Chaudhari consistently recommends surgery only when genuinely necessary. Patients who reach the decision to proceed feel confident it is the right time.
Patients come from Adajan, Vesu, Athwa, Bhatar, Bharuch, Navsari, Tapi, and Valsad. Patients travelling for surgery receive guidance on accommodation and post-discharge logistics.
Patients who come in for a joint replacement assessment sometimes discover their condition is better served by a different procedure. Understanding adjacent treatment options helps prepare for a more complete conversation:
Accessible to patients across Adajan, Pal, Vesu, City Light, Bhatar, Athwa, and broadly across Surat. Patients also travel from Bharuch, Navsari, Tapi, and Valsad.
| Monday - Saturday | 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | By prior appointment or emergency only |
Joint replacement surgery is a planned procedure. Joint fractures requiring urgent arthroplasty - particularly femoral neck fractures in elderly patients - are managed through the trauma and fracture care unit, which handles emergency cases at all times.
Ashirwad Hospital provides specialized orthopedic care with modern facilities, expert surgeons, and patient-focused healing.
3rd Floor, Vision Business Hub Opposite Shell Petrol Pump, L.P. Savani Road, Adajan, Surat, 395009