TIMES OF INDIA,BANGALORE - March 29,2003
Joint Replacements for free movement
Joint replacement surgery have become a part of dinner table talk thinks to surgeries on public figures like the Prime Minister and more recently, film star Rajkumar.

But The how and when of joint replacements surgeries id often a mystery to the layman, as are the intricacies of the surgery. "As the words suggests, 'joint replacement' involves replacing the worn out parts of a natural joint - hips, knees, shoulders, elbow, ankle wrist and even fingers - by an artificial joint to allow mobility and relief from pain," says the director of the department of orthopedics and joint replacement specialist at Sagar Apollo Hospital, Dr H.P.C.Khincha.

Typically, joint replacements are necessitated by age - Osteoarthritis, disorders - rheumatoid arthritis, or injury factors. The normal age of persons who undergo joint replacements is 65 plus and is normally done when there is intolerable pain despite a full course of conservative treatment.

"Bowlegs or knock - knees are also a factor of wear and tear of the joints. Unfortunately in our country because of myths and fear, people allow the de-generation to progress extensively before they reach the doctor," says Dr H.P.C.Khincha. Further, Indian clothes like sarees and dothies tend to camouflage deformities, he said.

Once performed, joint replacements relieve pain, correct deformities, allow freedom of movement, provide freedom from medication. According to research data, artificial joints like Rajkumar's hip joint have a life span of 20 years, says Dr H.P.C.Khincha. The artificial joints are typically made up of biocompatible materials like 315 - alloy steel or titanium along with high - density cross - linked polyethylene or plastic.

Age, weight, diseases like diabetics, hypertension, heart ailments do not repeatedly pose hindrances to procedure, but need adequate preoperative treatment and assessment.

Orthopaedic surgeons in Bangalore conduct nearly 1,000 joint replacement surgeries every year.

"There is a feeling that Bangalore does not have the expertise for joint replacements and key hole surgeries. But, nearly 20 percent of patients here are from other parts of the country, and the world. Bangalore offers the best quality joint replacement at some of the most competitive prices," says Dr H.P.C.Khincha
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