Knee replacement now fast-tracked

New Delhi: Two 70-year-old patients suffering from traumatic knee problem were successfully treated with a ‘fast track knee replacement’ and resumed to their normal daily routine within six hours post surgery. According to doctors, earlier the patients has been denied treatment at various hospitals due to the severity of the case and possible complications. The patient feels relieved after 18 years of trauma and pain, and is now able to resume to his daily chores without troubles. First patient, the 70-year old Nehru Malik had a history of trauma since 1987, when his left knee was severely fractured.

Even after a series of surgical interventions at various hospitals, the immense pain had not subsided, with persistent difficulty in walking.

“As a second opinion he presented to us as an advanced case of arthritis and severe deformity. The condition was quite complicated for surgery due to previous history of surgeries, age and other co-morbid conditions. He was prone to infections and other complications. After studying his case history, the team decided to operate his left knee with ‘fast track knee replacement’ which was not only successful but the patient has also recovered completely well,” said director, department of orthopaedics and joint replacement, Fortis hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Dr Amite Pankaj Aggarwal.

The other patient, who underwent bilateral knee replacement was admitted with complaints of swel-ling, pain and deformities in both the knee joints. Rajbir Singh, retired forest officer from Haryana, first observed his deterioration of knee joints in 2003 when suddenly he was not able to get up on his feet.

“Upon examination, the patient underwent bilateral knee replacement surgery, and returned to normalcy within a week. Even after 10 months of post surgery, the patient feels relieved and comfortable even to ride a bicycle,” said Dr Aggarwal.