Knee replacement surgeries made easier

The latest navigation i-assist techniques being used in total knee replacement surgeries at the Apollo Hospital, Nellore, proved to be effective as the elderly patients were satisfied with the advanced pain management techniques involved in this process.

These surgeries are painless while giving the promise of faster recovery so that the patients concerned need not require even physiotherapy to move the knees afterwards. “For the local patients, Apollo Nellore has the best of facilities to perform such latest surgeries. One woman patient belonging to Nellore went for consultation in Bangalore but later came back and underwent surgery here itself,” said Dr. Madan Mohan Reddy, senior consultant knee surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.

Ms. Sampoornamma, a 64-year-old woman patient, suffered from severe joint pain and she eventually underwent total knee replacement surgeries on both the knees. Her condition was stable and she would be made to walk with the help of a walker in a day’s time. She would be discharged in three to four days and she had not complained of any pain so far, said Dr. Madan Mohan.

While the surgeries in the past took over two hours, the navigation method would take less than an hour’s time, which helps in improving the postoperative pain management with faster results.

Dr. Anand Murugesan, anaesthesiologist and interventional pain specialist, said that improvements in pain managements had proved to be very useful for the patients. “We are giving spinal anaesthesia and blocking a few nerves during surgery. Such advanced methods are helping in early mobilisation of the patients after surgeries,” he said.

In the past, a patient used to take over five days to walk with the help of a walker but now the superior pain management techniques are helping in quick recovery. The hospital stay is also considerably reduced, he added.