CHENNAI: Lakshmamma, 55, from Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh is the first in Tamil Nadu to undergo knee replacement surgery in both legs using I-Assist, a palm-sized electronic device, said Dr A K Venkatachalam, consultant orthopedic surgeon at Meenakshi Multispeciality Hospital on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press meet, Venkatachalam said that I-Assist is a surgical device that assists surgeons in aligning knee implant in a patient’s leg with 100 per cent accuracy, which otherwise is not possible with the traditional method in which computer navigation is used to do the surgery. Using computer navigation, doctors may not be able to do the implant accurately. Even senior doctors make 15 per cent degree tilt during the replacement, he said. If the implant is tilted, the life of the implant decreases, he added.
Venkatachalam said that I-Assist, compounded with gyroscope and wifi applications, will emit green light when the right knee point is spotted. The implant, which is made up of cross-linked plastic device, will guarantee the patient flexibility in movement for 35 years.
Lakshmamma, who developed severe knee pain in both the legs, was on medication for around six years. She tried out different treatments before turning to Meenakshi Multispeciality Hospital for the procedure. The surgery on the right leg was done on August 8 and on the left on August 13. “I can walk now and there is no pain. My son referred me to the hospital after coming to know of the new technology in knee replacement surgery,” said Lakshmamma.
The surgery costs between `2 and 2.5 lakh depending on the implant. The device will be of great help to young patients undergoing total knee replacement, said Venkatachalam.