Have knees replaced? Perform ardass, pooja, namaz unhindered

Knee replacement patients will not need separate couch
New knee replacement surgery offers great flexibility

Patiala, August 27

The patients undergoing knee replacement surgery can lead a healthy life by performing their daily ardass, namaz, pooja while sitting crossed legs or squatting, even can perform bhangra/ gidda with full ease or resume their leisure activities like light sports etc.

Rotating Platform Flexknee , the latest substitute of knee, is positioned with minimal invasive surgery and has revolutionized lives of hundreds of patients undergoing knee replacement, said Dr Manuj Wadhwa, the Senior Consultant Orthopedics Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

RPF allows patients to continue with their pre-surgery routine without any hindrance because it gives a bending motion of upto 155 degrees which is a cutting edge over conventional knee replacement which gives a range of 100 – 120 degrees explained Dr Wadhwa.

The minimally invasive knee replacement surgery technique is not only painless and accurate but also reduces the surgery trauma and recovery time. Due to smaller incision there is minimal trauma to the soft tissue, muscles and tendons which results in less blood loss. Even the kneecap does not have to be moved as far to get to the knee joint.

Irrespective of age, the arthritis – leading to knee replacement surgery in many cases – can strike anyone. Many total knee replacement patients are rather young and therefore still in the working process. This surgery offers them same quality of life as that of a healthy person and easy mobility.

He revealed that in USA, with population of mere 300 million, there are annually around 1 million joint replacements, while in India with population of less than 1 billion we have just around 60,000 replacements happening annually.

Due to fear, reluctance for surgery and lack of awareness among Indian patients with advanced arthritis, they take around 8 years to decide for replacement to achieve a better quality of life, while patients from Western world take not more than 3 years for same.

Depicting the healthy lifestyle one can lead even after post knee replacement surgery, around 50 patients today danced to the enjoyment of leading healthy and normal life. Defying the notion that knee replacement patients remain confined to their seats, these patients shook a leg in bhangra with Dr Wadhwa under special meet of Friends of Fortis.

Patients interacted with other people who had undergone therapy or treatment similar to theirs. Dr Wadhwa said this platform helped in communicating positive message (to the patients) that they can have a full and happening life despite having health problems in their past.

The word “arthritis” means joint inflammation. A joint is a point where two or more bones are connected. In a healthy joint, the ends of bones are encased in smooth cartilage. In arthritis this cushioning layer called cartilage is worn out and the movement of this rough surface causes pain and inflammation.

The two most common forms of arthritis- osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are real mysteries of modern medicine or allopathy. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and the percentage of people who have it grows higher with age. It is more likely to occur in people who are overweight and in those with jobs that stress particular joints. Both men and women have the disease; before age 45 more men than women have osteoarthritis but after 45 it is more common in women.

40- 60% of people above 70 suffer from hip or knee osteoarthritis. 80% of patients with osteoarthritis have some degree of limitation of movement and 25% cannot perform their major daily activities of life in India. About 8-9% (70-80 million approx.) of the adult population in India suffers from some or other form of arthritis and among this osteoarthritis is the commonest.