Orthopaedic, Sports Injury & Joint Replacement FAQs

Dr. Vignesh Karthik is an internationally trained orthopaedic surgeon practising in the UAE. His practice focuses on hip and knee replacement (including revision and robotic-assisted surgery), sports injuries and trauma care, with a patient-first, evidence-based approach. Read more about Dr. Vignesh Karthik.

Dr. Vignesh Karthik treats arthritis and joint damage of the hip and knee, sports injuries and fractures. Procedures include total hip replacement, total knee replacement, partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, robotic knee replacement, revision surgery for hips and knees, sports medicine and arthroscopy, and trauma and fracture care.

See an orthopaedic surgeon if joint pain has lasted more than a few weeks despite rest, medicines or physiotherapy, or if it wakes you at night, causes swelling, locking or giving way, or limits everyday activities such as walking, stairs or sport. Seek urgent care after an injury if you cannot put weight on the limb, the joint looks deformed, or a swollen joint is hot and comes with fever.

Use the contact page or the call and WhatsApp buttons on this website. Bring any X-rays, MRI or scan reports, your list of medicines, and details of previous surgery so your first visit can be as useful as possible.

Joint replacement is usually considered when arthritis pain continues despite non-surgical treatment such as medicines, physiotherapy, injections and activity changes, and it affects walking, sleep or daily life. An X-ray showing wear is only part of the picture: the decision is based on your symptoms, examination and goals, not on the scan alone.

A total knee replacement resurfaces the whole joint, while a partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement replaces only the damaged section. Partial replacement suits people whose arthritis is limited to one part of the knee and whose ligaments are healthy. It is a smaller operation, but it is not right for everyone, so an examination and X-rays decide.

In robotic knee replacement the surgeon uses a robotic system and 3D planning to guide bone preparation and implant position with high precision. The surgeon stays in control throughout. Robotics can improve the accuracy of alignment, but whether that gives every patient a better long-term result is still being studied, so ask what is best for your knee.

Most patients stand and take their first steps with support within a day of surgery, then progress from a walker to a stick to walking freely. Many return to daily routines within about 6 weeks. Strength and comfort keep improving for several months, and knees often recover a little more slowly than hips. Your physiotherapy plan and health affect the timeline.

Modern hip and knee implants routinely last 20 to 25 years or more. Longevity depends on your age, weight, activity level, bone quality and the implant used, so many people have one replacement for life while some younger or very active patients may need revision surgery later.

This depends on the joint operated, the side, your pain control and your job. Many people return to desk work and driving within a few weeks, and travel is usually possible after the early recovery period, with precautions against blood clots on long flights. These are typical ranges only: confirm your own timing with your surgeon.

Revision surgery repairs or replaces a joint replacement that has worn, loosened, become unstable, become infected or been affected by a fracture around the implant. It is more complex than a first operation, so experience matters. Learn more about revision hip replacement and revision knee replacement.

Age alone is not a barrier. What matters is overall health, including the heart, lungs, diabetes control and bone quality, which are assessed before surgery. Many patients in their seventies and eighties do very well and regain independence, but the decision is always individual.

Not always. Some people, especially those with lower activity demands and a stable knee, do well with structured rehabilitation. Reconstruction is usually considered for people with the knee giving way, those wanting to return to pivoting sports, or those with other injuries in the knee. An examination and MRI guide the decision. See sports medicine and arthroscopy.

Return to sport is commonly around 9 to 12 months after ACL reconstruction, guided by strength, control and functional testing rather than the calendar. Returning too early is linked with a higher risk of re-injury, so progress is measured, not rushed.

Arthroscopy uses a small camera and fine instruments through tiny incisions to treat problems inside the joint, such as repairing a torn meniscus, reconstructing a ligament or removing loose fragments. It is useful for specific injuries, but it is not a general treatment for arthritis pain.

No. Many degenerative meniscus tears settle with physiotherapy and time. Surgery is more likely to be considered when the knee locks or catches, or when a tear is repairable in a younger, active patient. The type and location of the tear matter.

Yes, and it is good practice before any major operation. Bring your scans, reports and treatment history to a consultation, and you will get an honest assessment of whether surgery is needed now, later or at all.

Coverage varies by insurer and by policy, and many plans require pre-approval before surgery. Check your policy limits, co-payment and approved hospitals with your insurer, and bring your insurance details to the consultation so the next steps can be planned.