Doctor Sachin Bhonsle,(MS (Orthopaedics, FRCS Glasgow, UK) Consultant Joint Replacement and Orthopaedic Surgeon Wockhardt Bone and Joint Care, Mumbai,India answers some most commonly asked questions on Knee Surgeries .



1. Evolution around knee surgeries in India over the years.

This decade has been very progressive for orthopaedics in India to the extent that we can call it an orthopaedic decade. A lot is now on offer to improve quality of life to those with arthritis and joint injuries. As late as 1980s most people with worn out joints had no choice but to lead an invalid life. There are very few surgeons in our country with resources to provide reconstructive joint surgery. Also to those few who could afford, the treatment options were limited as well as expensive. In late 80s Arthroscopic or keyhole surgery started gaining popularity in India. This was a boon to youngsters involved in sports. Around the same time Joint replacements became more readily available. This is when Indian companies started coming up with reliable prostheses. As we rolled into the third millennium standard knee and hip replacements were optimised in a number of cities and centers across the country.

2. Percentage of Indian undergoing Knee Replacements every year

This varies greatly compared to western countries. Reliable figures are not available but a vast majority of Indian patients tend to procrastinate on knee arthritis rather than having surgery. Knee tends to be most commonly replaced joint in India because of higher incidence of knee arthritis compared to hip in our subcontinent.

3. Who is a candidate for knee replacements?

Any person with a painful and irreparably worn out knee joint can be a candidate. There has been a classic approach to do it after the age of 60 because older prostheses tended to last only 10 to 15 years and revision surgery was difficult. But now the contemporary designs are long lasting, techniques are more refined and revision surgery facilities have been developed optimally. Therefore we contemplate doing joint replacements at much younger ages.

4. What advancements have been made in total knee replacements? Advancements in surgical methods and how it has been revolutionized over the years
To know more about Bone and Joint care at Wockhardt Hospitals, or to schedule an appointment with Doctor Sachin Bhosel,please write to enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net

Research suggests the following:

• Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from Runner's Knee (Chondromalacia Patella, or Kneecap Pain)...
• 41% more women than men (41 million vs. 29 million) suffer from Arthritis in general.
• Women are more likely to have Osteoarthritis of the Knee and thumbs
• Women are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis
• Women are more susceptible to footwear-induced ankle sprains than men
• Women tend to suffer more often from fibromyalgia
• Women develop osteoporosis more often as well as earlier than men

Biologically, there are several situations for women (unlike men) that demand additional care to manage today's fast paced multi-tasking lifestyle. This means that her healthcare and fitness needs differ greatly from those of a man. Let's discuss some of the more intense orthopaedic problems that women suffer from than men.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: is the name for a group of problems including numbness, pain, tingling, especially in early mornings and weakness in the hand. It is often the result of swelling inside the carpal tunnel, which places pressure on the median nerve.

WHY WOMEN: Research suggests that because women's wrists are on average, 10 % narrower due to which women can be more susceptible to crowding in the carpal tunnel passage. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can also contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and are exclusive to women. Women also suffer more often from thyroid problems which are directly linked to Carpal tunnel syndrome.

TREATMENT: wearing a wrist brace, especially at night, as one part of therapy. Treatment may also include medications, stretching and strengthening specific wrist muscles and changing the position of the wrist while in use. If symptoms persist, a physician may recommend injection or surgery. Surgery of carpal tunnel is a very simple and successful surgery which instantly and permanently cures the symptoms

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis means an inflammation of a joint eventually leading to wear and tear. End result is a painful and deformed joint. 60 % of people who have arthritis are females, and several of the more common forms are more prevalent in women. Apart from pain, stiffness in joints, redness around the joint, swelling and difficulty in performing the day to day activities are the most common symptoms.

WHY WOMEN: For reasons unknown, women are most likely to get arthritis. The most common type is Osteoarthritis which is really wear and tear and essentially not a disease, mostly affecting women over 40 years. Rheumatoid Arthritis: 70 % of people with this type of arthritis are women, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is inflammation of the synovium (lining) of the joints and can result in painful damage to the joints, affecting in the age group of 30 onwards.

CHONDROMALACIA PATELLA OR RUNNER'S KNEE: The pain is infront of the knee, especially while running, walking or ascending/descending stairs. This condition is caused by softening of patellar cartilage as well as mechanical alignment abnormality of patella.

 

"A Rare Cancerous Tumor involving major blood vessels was successfully removed from a 19 Year Old Girl at Wockhardt Hospitals Bangalore"

 

: In what can be described as the first important step in giving Insured patients a choice of travelling to India for medical treatment the Columbia,SC beased Companion Global Healthcare Inc has recognized and added Wockhardt Hospitals in Bangalore and Mumbai to its overseas hospital network.All Bluecross Blueshield of South Carolina and Bluechoice Healthplan of South Carolina members will have access to Wockhardt Hospitals through this association with Companion Global Healthcare.