As a medical journalist, I recently visited the Opera Bone and Joint Clinic to meet Dr. Ponnanna K.M. — widely known for offering high-quality knee replacement in Bangalore. With crutches, pained gaits and stiff knees as common markers of life disrupted, many patients are drawn to such clinics seeking relief. My aim was to see firsthand how a modern orthopedic centre handles knee-joint issues and what goes into surgical knee replacement under experienced hands.
Who is Dr. Ponnanna K.M. — Background, Expertise and Clinic Setup
Dr. Ponnanna K.M. is a Consultant Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, trained in India and overseas, with a solid track record in arthroscopy and joint-replacement surgeries. His credentials include an MS in Orthopaedics from SDM College of Medical Sciences (2015), followed by a DNB in the same year. Subsequently, he completed a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction Surgery focusing on shoulder, hip and knee under a renowned joint-replacement specialist in Pune.
Further enhancing his expertise, he underwent additional fellowship training abroad in Australia, focusing on knee sports-medicine, arthroscopy, and joint replacement — giving him international exposure in advanced orthopedic care.
The clinic — Opera Bone and Joint Clinic — located in Malleswaram, Bangalore, presents a clean, welcoming, and well-organised environment. On-site services include consultations, fracture care, physiotherapy support, and diagnostics like X-rays, making it a comprehensive setup for joint and orthopaedic care.
For advanced procedures — including joint replacement — Dr. Ponnanna collaborates with larger hospital infrastructure (e.g. Sparsh Hospital) to ensure access to full surgical support and post-surgical care.
Given his credentials, hands-on experience in complex surgeries, and the breadth of services offered, Dr. Ponnanna clearly fits the profile of a reliable Orthopedic Surgeon in Bangalore, often considered among the Best Orthopedic Doctor in Bangalore for knee-joint issues.
What Happens in Knee Replacement — From Assessment to Procedure
During my visit, I observed the typical pathway for a patient with advanced knee-joint problems considering replacement. The process begins with a thorough clinical assessment: history-taking (pain patterns, stiffness, effect on mobility), physical examination, and imaging (X-ray / MRI) to understand cartilage condition, bone alignment, and joint damage. The clinic’s ability to run diagnostics and provide fracture/joint care under one roof helps streamline this initial stage.
If conservative measures (medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications) are insufficient and the damage to the joint is significant (as in advanced osteoarthritis, deformity, or irrecoverable cartilage loss), surgical replacement becomes a viable option. Dr. Ponnanna offers a full range of options: from partial knee replacement (for single-compartment knee damage) to total knee replacement — including advanced techniques like robotic-assisted or augmented-reality-guided replacements, aimed at improving implant alignment and surgical precision.
The actual surgery is followed by post-operative care and physiotherapy support — often coordinated with the same clinic and partner hospital — to ensure smooth recovery, aided mobility, and reduced complications.
Benefits and Risks of Knee Replacement
Benefits
- Pain relief and improved mobility: For individuals with severe arthritis or joint degeneration, knee replacement offers significant pain reduction, easing day-to-day activities like walking, climbing stairs, or standing. Under experienced hands like Dr. Ponnanna’s, the restoration of joint function can markedly improve quality of life.
- Long-term durability: Knee implants — particularly when placed accurately with modern techniques — can last 10–20 years or more, providing a durable solution for chronic joint problems.
- Advanced surgical precision: With options like robotic-assisted or augmented-reality guided surgery, the implant alignment and joint mechanics can be optimized — potentially reducing wear/tear and improving long-term outcomes.
- Comprehensive care pathway: From initial assessment to surgery to rehabilitation — with access to diagnostics, fracture care, physiotherapy — patients receive integrated care without needing to shuttle between multiple providers.
Risks and Possible Complications
- Surgical risks: As with any major surgery, knee replacement carries inherent risks — infection, blood clots, implant failure or loosening, stiffness, prolonged recovery, and anesthesia-related complications. These risks are influenced by patient health, implant type, surgical precision, and post-operative care.
- Recovery and rehabilitation commitment: Successful outcomes depend heavily on post-surgery physiotherapy, adherence to weight-bearing guidelines, and rehab exercises. Without committed aftercare, mobility may not improve as expected.
- Implant lifespan and potential revision: Although implants are durable, they may wear out over time or fail, necessitating revision surgery — which is more complex than the initial replacement.
- Not a quick fix for everyone: For younger patients or those needing high-impact physical activity, artificial joints have limitations compared to natural joints. Also, not all joint pain stems from issues that benefit from replacement; sometimes misdiagnosis or other pathologies (ligament, cartilage, or bone issues) may require alternate treatments.
Approximate Cost Range for Knee Replacement in Bangalore
During my discussion with Dr. Ponnanna, he emphasized that costs vary based on multiple factors — implant type (standard vs premium vs robotics-compatible), whether surgery is unilateral or bilateral, hospital stay duration, physiotherapy needs, and overall health of the patient.
Based on publicly available data for knee replacement in Bangalore, typical costs for a single (unilateral) knee replacement generally start around ₹1,40,000–₹1,50,000 in basic setups, while the average range for standard replacement tends to fall between ₹1.8 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh.
In more advanced settings — using newer implants, robotic-assisted or technology-enabled joint replacement — or bilateral surgeries, costs can go higher, often up to ₹3.5–₹4 lakh or more depending on hospital class, implant brands, and post-operative needs.
Dr. Ponnanna noted that while cost is an important consideration, suitability, implant quality, and post-surgical care should guide the decision — rather than simply choosing based on lowest price.
Precautions and Aftercare — What Patients Need to Know
From my conversation with Dr. Ponnanna, and based on standard joint replacement protocols, the following precautions and aftercare practices emerged as critical for success:
- Pre-surgery evaluation: Comprehensive health check-up, assessment of comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac history), blood work and imaging — to ensure patient is fit for surgery and reduce risk of complications.
- Post-operative physiotherapy: Early and gradual guided physiotherapy, under supervision, is vital. Strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, gradual weight-bearing under physiotherapist’s guidance help restore mobility and prevent stiffness.
- Implant care and lifestyle modification: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding high-impact activities, and following doctor’s advice on activity levels will help prolong implant life.
- Follow-up appointments: Periodic follow-up with surgeon and physiotherapist for monitoring implant function, joint alignment and to address any signs of complications (swelling, pain, instability).
- Patient education and realistic expectations: Understanding that recovery takes time — from several weeks to months before full functionality returns. Dr. Ponnanna emphasised that joint replacement is a tool to restore mobility, not an instant guarantee of perfect-joint function.
Who Should Consider Knee Replacement — And When to Consult an Orthopedic Expert
Based on my visit and interview, patients who might benefit most from knee replacement by a specialist like Dr. Ponnanna include:
- Individuals with severe osteoarthritis, cartilage breakdown, or joint deformity that cause chronic pain, stiffness, and limit daily activities despite conservative treatments (medicines, physiotherapy).
- Patients whose quality of life is significantly affected — problems with walking, climbing stairs, getting up from seat, or persistent joint pain at rest.
- Those who need long-term relief and are willing to commit to post-operative care, physiotherapy and lifestyle changes to ensure implant longevity.
- People looking for expert surgical care with modern techniques — especially those who value precise implant placement, minimally invasive options, or robotic-assisted joint replacement.
However, individuals with mild to moderate knee pain — or those still responding to conservative treatment — may first consider physiotherapy, lifestyle modification, or other non-surgical interventions. Knee replacement should remain an informed, carefully considered option rather than a first resort.
Reflections — What My Visit Taught Me About Quality Orthopedic Care in Bangalore
My visit to Opera Bone and Joint Clinic and discussion with Dr. Ponnanna KM revealed the depth and complexity behind what patients often view simply as “knee replacement.” It’s not just about replacing a joint — it’s about restoring mobility, preserving quality of life, and supporting long-term joint health through careful surgical planning, precision, and disciplined aftercare.
In Bangalore — where busy urban life, long commutes, and wear-and-tear on joints are common — having access to a clinic that offers both modern technology and compassionate, personalised care can make a significant difference.
For patients ready to explore surgical relief from chronic knee pain, seeking an expert opinion — understanding benefits, risks, costs, and recovery commitment — can be the first step toward reclaiming mobility and comfort.
If you are considering knee replacement or struggling with joint pain, perhaps this is the moment to reach out for a professional evaluation — talk to someone who understands the full picture of care: expertise, technology, and long-term wellbeing.
Contact Dr. Ponnanna KM – Scheduling & Locations
📍 Opera Bone and Joint Clinic – Yeshwanthpur / Malleswaram
Tel: 89515 45276
Mail: dr.ponnanna@gmail.com