The Bombay Hospital, which has introduced the latest computer assisted Total Knee Replacement (TKR) technique called the Stryker's OrthoMap Articular Surface Mounted (ASM) Knee Navigation in Mumbai, has successfully performed 100 successful TKR surgeries.

The ASM computer navigation perfectly complements, and is best recognised as an advanced surgical technique for the Mini Subvastus Approach (MSVA) to TKR surgery, also known as Tissue Preserving TKR surgery without any blood loss.

Total Knee Replacement techniques, one of modern-day’s recommended treatment options for crippling knee arthritis, is a surgical mastery that involves knee replacements through just a single small cut of 8 to 10 cms. The technique has been so simplified by latest computer navigation methods so that experienced surgeons are putting knee replacements in without instrumenting either the thigh bone or the shin bone.

Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Consultant Dr. Nilen Shah, who is the pioneer in performing Stryker's OrthoMap Articular Surface Mounted (ASM) Knee Navigation through the MSVA, said, “Due to the combination of MSVA and ASM navigation, hospital stay has been reduced to as little as 2 to 3 days and knee replacement has become an extremely predictable and reliable procedure in relieving the pain and discomfort of arthritis.”

Having performed 100 TKR surgeries with this technology, Dr. Nilen Shah said that the Stryker’s ASM Knee Navigation surgery is of immense benefit in the Indian context, especially if we consider our habits and customs. “Given that a majority of our population is osteoporotic, this technology which does not require the insertion of additional large pins in the thigh bone and the shin bone is a great advantage because it obviates the risk of any intra-operative fracture. New knee joints that are implanted through this technique allow full flexion and mobility when implanted properly,” said the surgeon, who has earned the distinction of having introduced the Subvastus TKR procedure to India.

Many of his patients have been able to walk absolutely normally without holding on to any walking aid a day immediately after knee replacement surgery. These patients were able to go home within 2 days of the TKR procedure.

There is widespread belief that TKR procedures are followed by extremely long and arduous recuperation and recovery periods including intensive physiotherapy. “That was the case with the classical method of TKR surgeries that were performed by a muscle cutting approach. Here the main muscle of the thigh ie the quadriceps is split right in the centre to expose the knee joint. Naturally, the time taken for the torn muscles to heal is long. Moreover, there is scarring of the muscle post operatively which may cause pain or restrict full movement,” Dr. Shah explained.