The 350-bed Sakra World Hospital, a joint venture between Secom Hospitals, Japan and Toyota Tsusho, Japan has now introduced a computer navigated partial knee replacement surgery.

Only 7 computer navigated partial knee replacement surgeries have been performed till date in India and Sakra World Hospital is the first in South India and the only hospital other than AIIMS, Delhi to use this novel technique for treatment, according to a press communiqué from the medical care major.

India is currently the second largest hub of osteoarthritis globally. The number of patients in India is estimated to touch 60 million by 2025 and to become the world capital for osteoarthritis. Two decades ago, the condition affected only those above the age of 65, but currently it is diagnosed in patients between the age group of 35-55. It is estimated that only 10% of Indians undergo TKR procedure due to the fear of late recovery and post recovery pain.

The latest procedure which has revolutionized the care for this is condition is known as unicondylar (partial) knee replacement surgery using computer navigation.

“Partial knee replacement surgery replaces only the diseased part of the joint, and it is performed through a small incision, and involves less bone and soft tissue dissection. The technique reduces the blood loss and also reduces medical complications, besides minimal post operation pain and faster rehabilitation” said Dr. Chandrashekar P, senior consultant & HOD – orthopaedics, Sakra World Hospital.

Most studies have suggested that the recovery range of motion in patients who have undergone partial knee replacement is faster when compared with total knee replacement. The technique of computer navigated partial knee replacement is relatively new in India.

When disease is advanced and involves all compartments total knee replacement is the gold standard procedure, he said.

The patient was a 52 year-old housewife from Dhanbad, Jharkhand suffering from osteoarthritis and treated at Sakra World Hospital. As a result of severe pain on her right knee joint, she was unable to perform her normal routine. Due to the inefficiency of medication and physiotherapy, surgery remained the only viable option. We suggested computer navigated partial knee replacement instead of TKR surgery performed elsewhere, he said.

Computer navigated partial knee replacement is an attractive option for both the younger and older patients. The positive factor is this procedure is the adaptability to the Indian cultural requirements of squatting and sitting cross legged. It also helps in preservation of your natural bone and tissue with more ideal patient specific positioning, thereby giving a natural feel, said the hospital.