Orthopedic Surgery in India- Chennai's Knee & Shoulder centre www.kneeindia.com

The elderly population in India is increasing in numbers like the west leading to increase in elective orthopaedic surgery procedures for knee, shoulder, hip problems. Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam of the Knee & Shoulder clinic and Venkataeswara hospital says demand for Joint replacment is rising amongst middle class. The elderly people often live on their own as their children are overseas. They need to remain ambulant. Arthritis of the knees is very common in the elderly causing pain, stiffness,swelling and in advance stage leads to loss of ambulation. Total knee replacements(TKR) can cure this condition.


Requirements of the elderly people in South India-
People in South India and Chennai are religious. They are used to sitting on the floor, squatting, kneeling for prayer The majority of knee replacements done in India are not suited for them.

A new knee prosthesis is now available for those keen to get full knee bending.
My patients are now happy with a new knee implant which allows them to lead a normal life style. This knee prostheis allows full bending. The cost is the same as the other knee replacements.

Unicondylar knee replacement and arthroscopy-
For octogenerians( people in their eighties), with minimal or partial knee involvement, whose pain is not relieved by analgesics, arthroscopic treatment is an option to relieve mechanical symptoms. With partial knee wear, a partial( unicondylar) knee replacement or reconstruction provides pain relief, shorter recovery and near normal function. This partial knee replacement or reconstruction is mainly indicated in the octogenarians( people in their eighties). Hospital stay is usually 1- 2 days, wounds are small( 3 inches), pain is considerably reduced and the knee feels more natural.

Pain relief contributes to a better quality of life.
Hospital stays can thus be reduced to 2- 5 days.
With the pain gone, elderly can visit temples and places of worship, go for walks, travel abroad and can say good bye to their joint problems in India.

Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam is an orthopaedic surgeon doing knee replacements, shoulder surgery, hip replacements for Indians & Foreigners. He can be contacted on his mobile 00 91 9282165002. You can visit websites www.kneeindia.com & www.hipsurgery.in & www.shoulderindia.com for more information on Knee Hip & shoulder problems.