Joint effort

“Surgery technologies have improved a lot including the implants used as compared to the past. New technologies are getting introduced. Like the computer aided navigation for attaining greater accuracy during the operations,” said Prof Kluge during a workshop held in the city recently. The orthopedic surgeon who was invited by Dr Neeraj Adkar to conduct a refresher course on TKR (Total Knee Replacement) surgery using computer navigation method for attaining greater accuracy during the operations. The event was organised by Adkar’s hospital Sai Shree Hospital in Aundh.

“Studies have shown from 1970s to 90s,one in five knees have failed because of surgical errors. In 92 per cent cases,knee bones are properly aligned post-surgery using computer navigation method. On the contrary,in 68 per cent cases,the alignment is not in correct shape. Also modern technology has helped in increasing the life span of knee implants,which is now 20 years,” he said. Prof Kluge added that contrary to the myth that only elderly people suffer from osteoarthritis and require TKR surgery,it is now being observed that the lower age groups of people are also considering TKR surgery.

“For long it has been believed that only elderly patients require TKR surgery. Till 10-15 years ago,70 to 80 per cent of patients requiring TKR were in the age group of 60 years and above. But now,in a worldwide phenomenon,we are observing that now 70 to 80 per cent patients are 50 years of age and above,” he said. In extreme cases,we have observed that the age group has as touched as low as 20 and 30. Also,obesity has become a major factor in knee replacement in age groups of 40-50 years in last two decades,he said.

The joint replacement specialist however said that the onus of making knee replacement surgeries affordable lies on the government,the implant manufacturers and the insurance providers. “The government can reduce taxes on implant and equipment used for surgery and encourage more medical insurance for this type of surgery. The manufacturers should keep the cost margin low,without compromising on quality of course. The people have to maintain a healthy life style and keep their weight under control. This would prevent the total damage to knee,hence surgery requirements would also be limited,” Kluge said.

He also cautioned the patients undergoing knee replacement surgery not to take up extreme impact sports post-surgery like para gliding. “Patients could indulge in light jogging,horse riding and tennis,” the expert said.

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