Media Release
Mangalore, Jul 15: Pioneering the first-ever Computer Navigated joint-replacement surgery in the medical history of city, a team of senior orthopaedic surgeons successfully performed a total knee-replacement prosthesis on Vasanthi Shetty, a 62-year old homemaker suffering from Osteoarthritis since the past five years.
The surgery was, led by renowned surgeon Dr Christoph Saager, who has travelled from Switzerland for the surgery and veteran Dr Sudarshan Bhandary, professor and head of the department, Arthroscopic & joint- replacement specialty, A J Hospital & Research Centre.
Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis which severely affects the knee-joint most often and needs joint-replacements as a permanent solution to put an end to disabling pain. According to health surveys done by prominent industry bodies, osteoarthritis has surpassed diabetes, HIV and cancer in India and has become the number one disease among Indians. Knee replacement is a treatment procedure in which the orthopaedic surgeon removes damaged or diseased parts of the patient's knee joint and replaces them with an implant. In order to allow surgeons to operate with smaller incisions and greater precision, computer-assisted Knee-Replacement or Computer Navigation technique is now a preferred mode of performing the joint-replacement surgeries.
Focusing on the benefits of this surgical technique which has a successful clinical history of 10 years in orthopaedics, Dr Christoph Saager who has been personally employing Computer Navigation technique for the past 5 years in Switzerland, mentioned that, “However severe the knee-joint condition may be, advanced surgical techniques such as Computer Navigation in Knee-Replacement surgerries have excellent results and also enhance the life span of the implant. He further highlighted the edge of the technology by stating, “The Computer Navigation system aligns the patient's bones and joint implants with a degree of accuracy not possible with the naked eye.”
The Computer Navigation System functions by capturing the patient's unique anatomy and translates it to a computer screen, providing an unobstructed view of the patient's knee-joint aiding visual mapping and thus supports decision-making and enhances the surgeon's flexibility. The cameras take data via infrared signals from reflectors placed on the patient's body and on specially designed surgical instruments. The computer uses the data to track the exact position of the patient and the instruments on a monitor. The key of this technology is to combine the precision and accuracy of computer technology with the surgeon's skill to perform surgery.
Commenting on this medical advancement at Mangalore, Dr Sudarshan Bhandary, said that, “The introduction of Computer Navigation technique in Mangalore will serve as a boon to future patients opting for Knee Replacement Surgeries as the new procedure is less painful and heals faster. Further, with the growing advancement in Mangalore’s medical offerings, the city’s population will have easier access to a medically fit, healthier and happier way of life.”
Further, the surgery was telecasted live in the in-house auditorium of A. J. Hospital and was viewed by approximately 35 doctors who had specifically come from in and around Mangalore, thus introducing the new technique to other medical practitioners in the community and also benefitting the entire medical fraternity at large.
Post this surgery, the patient will now begin rehabilitation therapy either at home or if needed at a rehabilitation centre, depending upon the doctor’s advice, in order to help improve muscle strength and resume normal activities. Functionally, Mrs. Shetty’s condition will improve drastically and she will live a much improved life in the future as she will be mobile.
About Computer Navigation Technique
Computer-assisted knee replacement surgery allows surgeons to operate with smaller incisions and greater precision:
• Surgeons can align a patient's bones and knee replacement implants with a degree of accuracy not possible with the naked eye
• Smaller incisions offer the potential for faster recovery, less bleeding, and less pain for patients
Computers used during orthopaedic surgery offer visual mapping to help doctors make crucial decisions before and throughout the knee replacement operation. The key is to combine the precision and accuracy of computer technology with the surgeon's skill to perform surgery. Advanced imaging technology provides a computer-generated representation of a patient's knee joint, allowing the surgeon to operate with smaller openings and with more precision. In addition, this technology provides surgeons with greater "vision" during the surgery.
About Joint-Replacement Surgery
One of the most important orthopaedic surgical advances of this century, knee replacement, was first performed in 1968. Improvements in surgical materials and techniques since then have greatly increased its effectiveness. Joint Replacement Surgery involves replacing the diseased and damaged natural joint surfaces with an artificial one. This artificial joint is made of highly specialized metal and poly material. This joint is embedded in the bones with bone cement.
Only a small amount of bone is resurfaced to fix the new joint. The most important advantage of Total Knee replacement is that it produces very effective and long lasting life and ensuring pain free Joint for life. Furthermore, the joint functions almost normally post-operatively. The patient is able to walk from the second or the third day after the operation.
For further details contact:
Salma Khan
Gutenberg Communications
salma@gutenbergpr.com
+91 9916448550