In a remarkable breakthrough in medical science, Delhi witnessed the country’s first-ever “knee-salvage” surgery, offering hope to patients with severe knee injuries.
A New Lease of Life for Knee Patients
A 30-year-old woman had been suffering from intense knee pain following a serious meniscus tear. Despite undergoing standard meniscus repair surgery, the procedure failed, putting her at risk of needing a knee transplant at a young age. As a last resort, RML Hospital adopted the innovative “knee-salvage” technique.
The procedure involved creating a new cushion from the patient’s thigh tissue and replacing the damaged meniscus. Post-surgery, the patient experienced significant pain relief, and the risk of arthritis or early knee replacement was averted.
Details of the Surgery
The surgery was performed on 13 January by Dr. Rahul Khare’s team, assisted by Dr. Pranay Gupta, Dr. Ravi Ranjan, and Dr. Mohit Raj. The procedure was completed in approximately 90 minutes, marking a first in India.
Why Knee-Salvage Was Needed
Dr. Khare, Head of Orthopedics at RML, explained that the meniscus, located between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), acts as a cushion to prevent friction. Earlier, the damaged meniscus was often removed, leading to early-onset arthritis and repeated knee replacements. Meniscus transplants later became available, but they remain challenging in India.
Challenges with Meniscus Repair
Knees have two menisci with limited blood supply, especially in the inner two-thirds, making healing difficult after repairs. In this patient, previous repair attempts failed due to poor healing. With the collaboration of Medical Director Dr. Ashok Kumar and Medical Superintendent Dr. Vivek Diwan, the knee-salvage surgery succeeded, offering a new solution for complex meniscus injuries.
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