CHENNAI: An American teacher, who had to give up her teaching profession because of severe osteoarthritis in both knees, is ready to go back to teaching, thanks to the new technology knee implant. Renee Correl (56) , a teacher from Arkansas, the US, was suffering from severe knee pain for the past 15 years because of osteoarthritis. “I had to give up my teaching profession three years ago, after the pain worsened.
I used to take maximum pain killers to manage it, but it only made my condition worse. Knee replacement was the only option, but hospitals in the US quoted $160,000 for both knee replacements with the ‘verilast knee’, an advanced technology implant. But here the cost was `seven lakh for both knees, which was affordable. The quality of the treatment in Chennai is as good as US’,” she added. Speaking to press persons on Monday, Dr A K Venkatachalam, orthopaedic surgeon, Chennai Meenakshi Multi Speciality, who performed the surgery said, “Unlike conventional implant, verilast knees last for over 30 years. The surgery was performed on June 5 and June 10 and the patient is doing well now.”
Dr Venkatachalam further said, verilast technology uses advanced, low friction surfaces on both sides of the knee joints. The technology which is available in India since 2008 has been proved in the laboratory to double the wear of a conventional knee. The patient should be on physiotherapy treatment, and a yearly review is recommended, he added. K Immanuel, Renee’s son-in-law said, “On outings, she had to be taken in a wheel chair, which she hated. After a long search for a good hospital, we found this place,” he added.