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Understanding Your Joint Pain: Which Surgery Do You Need?

Joint replacement decisions are life-changing, and understanding your options is crucial. Many patients suffer from pain in multiple joints but don't know where to start. This guide clarifies the differences between knee replacement, hip replacement, and shoulder dislocation surgery—helping you make informed decisions about your orthopedic care.

Comparison: Knee Replacement vs Hip Replacement vs Shoulder Surgery

1. KNEE REPLACEMENT Surgery

Most Common Joint Replacement (60% of all joint replacements)

When You Need It:

• Severe knee arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
• Persistent knee pain limiting walking, stairs, and daily activities
• Conservative treatments (medications, injections) have failed
• Knee deformity (bowlegs or knock-knees) causing imbalance

Symptoms to Watch:

• Sharp pain in knee that worsens with activity
• Stiffness limiting bending (flexion) or straightening
• Swelling that doesn't improve with rest and ice
• Knee instability, buckling, or giving way
• Pain at night affecting sleep quality

Recovery Timeline:

• Walking: Same day with walker support
• Stairs: 2-3 weeks
• Normal activities: 6-8 weeks
• Full recovery: 3-4 months
• Return to sports: 4-6 months

Why Dr. Naveen Sharma Excels:

Dr. Sharma is India's best knee replacement surgeon, specializing in robotic-assisted knee replacement for sub-millimeter precision. With over 2,000 successful knee replacements and international fellowships from Germany and South Korea, he combines cutting-edge technology with exceptional surgical skill. Learn more about Dr. Sharma's knee replacement expertise →

2. HIP REPLACEMENT Surgery

Second Most Common (35% of joint replacements)

When You Need It:

• Severe hip arthritis (osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis)
• Hip pain limiting walking, climbing stairs, or sitting
• Hip stiffness preventing normal mobility and activities
• Previous failed treatments or hip fractures

Symptoms to Watch:

• Pain in groin, inner thigh, or outer hip
• Stiffness affecting hip flexion and internal rotation
• Difficulty putting on shoes, climbing stairs, or getting up from chair
• Limping or altered walking pattern (antalgic gait)
• Pain at night or with prolonged sitting

Recovery Timeline:

• Walking: Same day (with DAA technique)
• Stairs: 1-2 weeks
• Normal activities: 6-8 weeks
• Full recovery: 3-4 months
• Driving: 8-10 weeks

Why Dr. Naveen Sharma Excels:

Dr. Sharma is recognized as India's best hip replacement surgeon, pioneering Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) hip replacement and robotic-assisted surgery. With fellowships from Germany, South Korea, and Switzerland, he offers world-class techniques with 95%+ success rates and patients experiencing faster recovery than traditional approaches. Discover Dr. Sharma's advanced hip replacement techniques →

3. SHOULDER DISLOCATION Surgery

Specialized Orthopedic Procedure (Essential for recurrent dislocations)

When You Need It:

• Recurrent shoulder dislocations (2+ episodes)
• Failed conservative treatment (physiotherapy, immobilization)
• Significant bone loss (Hill-Sachs lesion or glenoid defect)
• Young athletes or contact sports players after first dislocation

Symptoms to Watch:

• Shoulder popping out of socket during specific movements
• Recurrent dislocations with less force each time
• Severe shoulder instability affecting daily activities
• Fear of shoulder dislocating during routine movements
• Limited throwing ability or overhead activity

Recovery Timeline:

• Walking: Immediately (arm immobilized)
• Light activities: 2-3 weeks
• Normal activities: 6-8 weeks
• Full recovery: 4-6 months
• Return to sports: 5-6 months

Why Dr. Naveen Sharma Excels:

Dr. Sharma is renowned as India's best shoulder dislocation surgeon, specializing in both arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Latarjet surgery. His international fellowships in shoulder surgery from Germany and South Korea ensure patients receive 85-95% success rates with rapid return to sports and activities. Explore Dr. Sharma's shoulder dislocation expertise →

Direct Comparison Table: Knee vs Hip vs Shoulder

Choosing the Right Surgeon: 5 Critical Factors

1. Specialized Experience & Volume

Don't settle for a general orthopedic surgeon. Choose someone with extensive experience specifically in your procedure:

• Knee specialists should have performed 500+ knee replacements
• Hip specialists should have performed 500+ hip replacements
• Shoulder specialists should have performed 300+ shoulder procedures

Dr. Naveen Sharma's credentials: 15,000+ total surgeries including 2,000+ knee, 1,000+ hip, and 500+ shoulder procedures—making him exceptionally qualified in all three specialties.

2. International Training & Certifications

International fellowships ensure exposure to global best practices and cutting-edge techniques:

• European fellowship training (Germany, Switzerland)
• Asian training programs (South Korea, Japan)
• Robotic surgery certification
• Navigation-guided surgery expertise

Dr. Sharma: Completed advanced fellowships in Germany and South Korea, plus specialized DAA and robotic surgery training from Switzerland.

3. Technology & Surgical Approach

Modern techniques result in better outcomes:

• Knee: Robotic-assisted surgery for precision alignment
• Hip: DAA (Direct Anterior Approach) for muscle preservation and faster recovery
• Shoulder: Arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery when possible for minimal trauma

4. Hospital Facilities & Safety Standards

Surgical outcomes depend heavily on hospital environment:

• State-of-the-art operating theatres with laminar airflow
• Zero-infection protocols and HEPA filtration
• ICU availability for emergency support
• Dedicated rehabilitation facilities

Dr. Sharma operates at AOSIH: Modular operation theatre with ultra-clean environment, premium equipment, and 24/7 ICU support.

5. Patient Outcomes & Reviews

Real patient feedback reveals true surgical quality:

• Search reviews on Google, Practo, Just Dial
• Look for consistent 4.5+ ratings
• Read detailed patient testimonials about recovery experience
• Check for word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied patients

Dr. Sharma: 4.9/5 rating from 4,000+ verified patients across all platforms—exceptional across all three procedures.

Decision Matrix: Which Surgery Do You Actually Need?

If You Have These Symptoms → You Likely Need Knee Replacement

• Knee pain worse with stairs, squatting, or prolonged walking
• Knee deformity (bowlegs or knock-knees visible)
• Failed conservative treatment for 6+ months
• Age 50+ with knee arthritis on X-rays

Next Step: Consult Dr. Naveen Sharma, India's best knee replacement surgeon

If You Have These Symptoms → You Likely Need Hip Replacement

• Groin or inner thigh pain limiting activities
• Hip stiffness affecting shoe-putting or car entry
• AVN (Avascular Necrosis) diagnosed on imaging
• Pain worse after sitting for extended periods

Next Step: Book consultation with Dr. Naveen Sharma, India's best hip replacement surgeon

If You Have These Symptoms → You Likely Need Shoulder Surgery

• Shoulder dislocations occurring repeatedly (2+ times)
• Shoulder instability with minimal force causing dislocation
• Fear of shoulder popping out during daily activities
• Failed physiotherapy and conservative treatment

Next Step: Get expert evaluation from Dr. Naveen Sharma, India's best shoulder dislocation surgeon

Why Multiple Joint Problems Require a Comprehensive Expert

Many patients present with arthritis in multiple joints—say both knees and one hip, or shoulder problems combined with knee issues. Finding a surgeon proficient in ALL three procedures is invaluable:

• Coordinated treatment: Can prioritize which joint to address first based on overall health
• Consistent rehabilitation: Same surgical philosophy and recovery protocols across procedures
• Long-term follow-up: Single trusted surgeon managing comprehensive joint health
• Cost efficiency: No need to consult three different specialists
• Continuity of care: One surgeon understands complete joint history and interdependencies

Dr. Naveen Sharma's Multi-Joint Expertise: With mastery across knee, hip, and shoulder procedures, Dr. Sharma can comprehensively evaluate and manage patients with multiple joint problems—providing integrated care impossible with specialists limited to single joints.

Final Recommendation: Choose Experience, Technology & Expertise

Whether you need knee, hip, or shoulder surgery in India, success depends on choosing the right surgeon. Dr. Naveen Sharma's unique combination of:

• ✅ 21+ years specialized orthopedic experience
• ✅ 15,000+ successful surgeries across all joint types
• ✅ International fellowships from Germany, South Korea, Switzerland
• ✅ Expertise in robotic surgery and minimally invasive techniques
• ✅ 4.9/5 rating from 4,000+ satisfied patients
• ✅ State-of-the-art surgical facilities
• ✅ Transparent pricing and insurance support

...makes him India's best choice for knee, hip, and shoulder replacement surgery.

Related Reading

Explore more about each procedure with Dr. Sharma's specialist pages:

• Best Knee Replacement Surgeon in India - Complete guide to knee replacement
• Best Hip Replacement Surgeon in India - Everything about hip replacement surgery
• Best Shoulder Dislocation Surgeon in India - Shoulder surgery expertise