Medically Reviewed by Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal, MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Founder & Owner of MAHI Multispeciality Hospitals, Kilpauk, Chennai
Last medically reviewed: August 2026
Is it Time to See a Joint Replacement Specialist?
There is a particular kind of tiredness that comes with living with joint pain—not the tiredness after a long day, but the exhaustion of constantly adjusting your life around pain. Skipping a temple visit because of the stairs, shortening your evening walk, or avoiding family activities can gradually affect your independence and quality of life.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and your concerns are valid. Chronic joint pain caused by advanced arthritis, cartilage damage, or previous injuries may persist despite non-surgical treatments. In such situations, consulting a joint replacement specialist in Chennai can help determine whether surgery is appropriate or whether other treatment options may still provide relief.
This page explains what a joint replacement specialist does, when surgery may be beneficial, when it may not be necessary, the factors that influence treatment costs, and what recovery can realistically involve.
What Does a Joint Replacement Specialist Actually Do?
A joint replacement specialist is an orthopaedic surgeon with additional, focused training in arthroplasty, replacing a joint that’s been damaged beyond what physiotherapy, medication, or injections can fix. That’s an important distinction: a general orthopaedician treats fractures, sprains, and general bone/joint issues; a joint replacement specialist has done further fellowship-level training specifically in implant surgery, prosthetic design, and revision techniques.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal at MAHI Hospitals, Chennai, focuses on:
- Knee replacement (total and partial), the most commonly performed joint surgery in India, typically for advanced osteoarthritis
- Hip replacement (total hip replacement and hip resurfacing), for severe arthritis, fractures, or avascular necrosis
- Revision joint replacement, re-doing a worn-out or failed implant from an earlier surgery, which is technically more demanding than a first-time replacement
- Robotic and computer-navigated joint replacement, using real-time 3D guidance for implant positioning
Meet Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal
Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal has practised orthopaedics in Chennai for over 18+ years, with a specific focus on knee and hip arthroplasty. He completed his MBBS from Mysore University in 2002 and his Master’s in Orthopedics from Sri Ramachandra Medical College in 2007. He went on to complete a Fellowship in Joint Replacement Surgery at Breach Candy and Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, an Advanced Joint Arthroplasty Fellowship at St. Josef Bruderkrankenhaus Hospital, Germany, and a Fellowship in Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy at Sportsmed Hospital, Australia.
What patients tend to notice isn’t just the surgery, it’s the consultation before it. He reviews imaging personally, explains what’s actually wrong in plain language, and is direct about whether surgery is the right call or whether it isn’t yet.
A few concrete details, so you can judge for yourself rather than take our word for it:
- 18+ years in orthopaedic and joint replacement practice
- 12,000+ patients treated across his career
- MBBS (Mysore University, 2002), MS Orthopaedics (Sri Ramachandra Medical College, 2007)
- International fellowships in joint replacement from Mumbai, Germany, and Australia
- Former Clinical Lead, Robotic Joint Replacement at Medway Group of Hospitals, Kodambakkam
- Former Senior Joint Replacement and Orthopaedic Surgeon at MGM Healthcare
- Former orthopaedic consultant at Fortis Malar Hospital
- Currently Clinical Lead, Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery at MAHI Multispecialty Hospital, Kilpauk, Chennai
- Active member of the Indian Orthopaedic Association, Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association, and Tamil Nadu Arthroscopic Society
- Founder of MAHI Hospitals, Poonamallee High Road, Vepery, Chennai 600084
Conditions That Commonly Lead to Joint Replacement
- Osteoarthritis, cartilage wear from age, weight, or long-term stress on the joint; the most common reason for replacement surgery in India
- Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition attacking joint linings; surgery is usually considered once medication no longer controls damage
- Post-traumatic arthritis, arthritis that develops years after a fracture or serious injury
- Avascular necrosis, loss of blood supply to bone, common in the hip
- Failed previous implant, requiring revision surgery
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Joint pain that wakes you at night or doesn’t ease with rest
- Needing a wall, railing, or someone’s arm to manage stairs
- Morning stiffness lasting over an hour
- Physiotherapy, injections, or medication no longer helping the way they used to
- Visible swelling or a joint that’s started looking different in shape
If two or more of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting an X-ray and a proper consultation rather than waiting it out further.
What Does Joint Replacement Surgery Cost in Chennai?
This is one of the first questions most patients actually have, and most hospital pages skip it. Costs vary depending on the implant type (standard vs. robotic-assisted), whether it’s unilateral or bilateral, room category, and any pre-existing conditions needing extra workup.
- Total knee replacement cost depends on the implant chosen and whether it’s a single or bilateral procedure, ask for a detailed breakup during your consultation
- Total hip replacement pricing follows a similar structure, with robotic-assisted procedures generally positioned at the higher end
- Most major insurers and TPAs empanel joint replacement surgery, ask specifically about cashless approval timelines during your first consultation
What to Expect: Before, During, and After Surgery
Before surgery: X-rays, blood work, and (if needed) an MRI and cardiac clearance. Dr. Sohanlal goes through the findings with you directly, what’s damaged, what the surgery will and won’t fix, and realistic timelines.
During surgery: Most knee or hip replacements take 1 to 2 hours under spinal or general anaesthesia.
Immediately after: Most patients are walking with support within 24 hours. Pain is managed with a multimodal approach (not just heavy painkillers), and discharge is typically 3 to 5 days later.
Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy starts almost immediately and is structured in phases, basic mobility first, then strength and balance. Patients who stick to this program consistently recover faster than those who don’t; this is genuinely the single biggest factor within a patient’s control.
Recovery Timeline, What Actually Happens Week by Week
| Stage | What to Expect |
| Week 1 | Walker-assisted walking, ice therapy, guided range-of-motion exercises |
| First month | Transition to a cane, noticeably less swelling, light daily tasks resume |
| 3 months | Most patients are driving again and back to light work; walking aids usually no longer needed |
| 6 months+ | Full benefit of the new joint felt; swimming, cycling, and travel are usually back on the table |
Well-maintained modern implants can function well for 15 to 20 years, provided rehabilitation guidelines and a healthy weight are maintained.
Robotic vs. Traditional Joint Replacement
| Factor | Traditional | Robotic-Assisted |
| Planning | Standard imaging + surgeon judgment | 3D imaging, patient-specific planning |
| Precision | High, surgeon-dependent | Enhanced with real-time guidance |
| Bone preservation | Standard | More precise removal, more preservation |
| Recovery | Proven track record over decades | Often smoother early recovery |
| Surgeon control | Full surgeon control | Full surgeon control, robot-assisted |
Robotic assistance is a tool that supports the surgeon’s judgment, it doesn’t replace the need for an experienced hand. Ask any specialist how many robotic-assisted cases they’ve personally performed, not just whether the hospital owns the equipment.
How to Choose the Right Joint Replacement Specialist in Chennai
A few honest questions worth asking, wherever you consult:
- How many joint replacements have you personally performed, not the hospital, you?
- What’s your revision rate, if you’re willing to share it?
- Will you personally review my imaging, or will that be delegated?
- What does your rehabilitation program actually look like, who runs it, and how long?
- What happens if something needs revision down the line?
Being willing to answer these directly, with real numbers, is itself a signal of a specialist worth trusting.
What Patients Say
I had a great experience at Mahi Hospital.One of the best Hospital for Orthopaedic and Dermatology in Chennai. The doctors were highly professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything clearly. The nursing staff was attentive, compassionate, and provided excellent care.The hospital is clean, well-maintained, and equipped with good facilities. I truly appreciated the overall quality of service and patient care. I highly recommend Mahi Hospital to anyone seeking reliable and quality healthcare.
“I recommend Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal highly ! My sister Mrs Sharmila underwent hip replacement surgery with him 10 years ago, and the results have been amazing. Even a decade later, she remains active pain-free, and healthy. It is rare to find a surgeon whose work stands the test of time so exceptionally well.
Having experienced the quality of his surgical skill firsthand, I am thrilled to see him open his own hospital.Mahi Hospitals and he brings a standard of precision, integrity, and patient-centered care that is truly unmatched. He has our full trust and highest recommendation.
I underwent knee replacement surgery last year under Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal, and my experience was excellent. From the initial consultation to post-surgery follow-ups, he was very professional, patient, and reassuring. The surgery went smoothly, and the recovery process was well guided with proper care and support.
Before the surgery, I had severe knee pain and difficulty walking, but now I can move comfortably and perform my daily activities with much less pain. Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal explained every step clearly and made me feel confident throughout the treatment.
I sincerely thank him and his team for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care. I would highly recommend Dr. Vijay Kumar Sohanlal to anyone considering knee replacement surgery.
Book a Consultation
If joint pain has started shaping your daily decisions, what you skip, what you avoid, what you no longer plan for, it’s worth getting a proper evaluation rather than continuing to manage around it.
MAHI Hospitals, No. 118, Poonamallee High Road, Vepery, Chennai 600084 📞 +91 91597 11355
Conclusion
Joint pain has a way of quietly shrinking a life, one skipped stair, one shortened walk, one missed family gathering at a time. It doesn’t have to stay that way. Whether you’re in the early, manageable stages of arthritis or have been living with severe joint damage for years, an accurate diagnosis and an honest conversation with a specialist is the first real step forward.