06 May,2024 04:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Both the couple underwent successful total knee replacement sequentially in the same stretch of admission and got discharged the same day hand in hand. Pic/Medicover Hospitals
Patients C.V. Shastry (80) and C. Bhagyalakshmi (75) had been experiencing knee pain and difficulty in walking for the last 15 years. They consulted various doctors and tried conservative measures of treatment including several injections in the knees. However, all of them failed to give a solution for any significant period. Their son C. M. Vijayakumar, a banking professional based in Navi Mumbai approached Medicover Hospitals via social media to give a fresh lease of life to his parents.
The total knee replacement surgery took place sequentially in the same stretch of admission, providing relief from discomfort, walking difficulties and pain. Following the procedure, the couple regained full mobility and can now carry out their daily activities without any restrictions. Dr Deepak Gautam, consultant joint replacement and director of orthopedic disciplines, Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and his team successfully conducted the surgery on the couple suffering from severe osteoarthritis in their knees.
Gautam remarked, "The couple came to the hospital along with their son by taking his support while walking. Their x-ray revealed degenerative changes in their knees. Their clinical conditions and X-rays indicated that they were the ideal candidates to benefit from knee replacement surgery. Age is an independent risk factor for such surgeries, but there were no other options left to bring back on their feet. Luckily despite being an octogenarian (husband) and septuagenarian (wife), they had little comorbidities with controlled blood pressure and sugar level which gave an anaesthetist more confidence in taking up the care."
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He added, "Both the couple underwent successful total knee replacement sequentially in the same stretch of admission and got discharged the same day hand in hand. The couple could walk pain-free, the next day after surgery. We are blessed to give the couple a pain-free life ahead."
Dr Jayashree Venkatesan, consultant anaesthesiologist emphasised that "Anesthesia is a risky job, putting the patient to sleep, giving temporary paralysis to legs, numbing part of the body is fine to proceed with surgery. However, the entire responsibility of getting back all that working in the original manner is the real challenge for the anesthetist. And there lies the importance of an anesthetist."
He adds, "The geriatric age group poses immense risk as patients have all the comorbidities: reduced function of almost every organ, post operative pain, healing and rehabilitation are major concerns. Regional anesthesia like epidural, spinal anesthesia, and nerve blocks help to maintain homeostasis during surgery and reduce postoperative pain, help in physiotherapy and early rehabilitation and discharge. These patients tolerated the anesthesia well and recovered well."
The couple's son Mr C.M. Vijayakumar highlighted, "After years of watching my parents struggle with mobility issues and the frustration that came with their inability to walk independently, I made it my mission to find a potent solution. The team of dcotors not only listened to our concerns but also provided personalised care and treatment plans tailored to my parent's needs."
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