HYDERABAD: Around 180 million people in India suffer from arthritis making it one of the most prevalent lifestyle diseases in the country.
As the disease worsens over time, many turn to joint replacement surgery as an effective treatment for the disease.
However, refuting the effectiveness of this course of treatment, Dr. Udai Prakash, chief of joint replacement and reconstruction unit, Udai Omni Hospital for Advanced Orthopedics and Trauma says that partial knee replacement is a better option.
“Most of the doctors in the country suggest a full knee replacement even though the patient is suitable for a partial knee replacement, which results in a lot of bone loss,” said Dr. Udai Prakash.
Partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure wherein only the damaged areas of the cartilage are removed leaving the healthier parts of joints untouched. The life span of a partial knee replacement is same as that of a full knee replacement.
Elaborating further on the advantages of partial replacement surgery, he added, “The duration of the surgery is quicker and the recovery rate of partial knee replacement is three times quicker to that of a full knee replacement,” he added.
In monetary terms, although the initial costs are same, the faster recovery time ensures that one doesn’t have to spend as much for physiotherapy.
There is no age restriction for the procedure although the levels have to be controlled before for the surgery for people suffering from diabetes or lower high blood pressure.