Fortis Cancer Awaareness Walkathon Report

– a one-of-a kind initiative to support people suffering from arthritis & give them an option for better quality of life”

Arthritis has not deterred their spirit to enjoy life, they are enthusiastic, motivated and all set to prove that life begins at 60. Witnessing the advancements in Bone & Joint care, Fortis Hospitals Anandapur today announced a “Patient Support Group” – a one of a kind initiative to support people who are suffering from arthritis. 30 senior citizens who have undergone joint replacement surgeries in the recent past showcased their zest for life by walking the ramp.

Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Richa Debgupta, Facility Director, Fortis Hospitals, Anandapur said, “Sometimes when everything else fails, hearing it from the horse’s mouth might be more convincing. The Patient Support Group is all about hearing it from the individuals and more importantly, who were suffering from the long standing arthritis pain and how making the choice of surgery has changed their lives for the better.”

“This platform will provide an opportunity for the people who have undergone joint replacement surgery to share their experiences and encourage having a pain free life to others who are suffering from arthritis.  The patient driven initiative, aimed at increasing awareness will give proper support and guidance to both pre-operative and post-operative patients about the benefits of choosing joint replacement surgery and how it can improve the quality of life of an individual” added Richa Debgupta.

Encouraging the spirited participants’ eminent actor Prosenjit Chatterjee said “It is indeed an inspiration to see such vigour and life in these people. The enthusiasm displayed by each one of the participants testifies the quality of life they are leading after their surgeries and this initiative will motivate many more to lead a pain free life.  I congratulate the team and Fortis for putting together such a novel effort.”

Arthritis is a common problem across India and it can affect anyone. Arthritis is not only found in the elderly, it can strike at any age. Chronic joint pain from arthritis interferes with daily activities, such as walking, exercise, performing daily chores etc. The pain makes body postures like folding legs, squatting, very difficult. Arthritis is not a killer, but a definite crippling disease, which now has good curative options.

According to Dr. Ronen Roy, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals “Knee replacement is generally reserved for patients who have tried all of the other treatments and are still left with significant pain during normal activities. The participants of this Fortis Walk the Talk show are living examples that the joint replacement surgery aims to relieve pain, restore independence, makes you return to work and other daily activities and one can lead an active normal life.”

“Pain and limited movement from bone, joint, and muscle problems can interfere in the daily life and have a long-term impact if not corrected quickly and properly. This initiative will serve as a platform for spirited individuals who have undergone joint replacement surgeries to come together for personal bonding and work towards providing reassurance, motivation, inspiration, support and counseling to arthritis patients”, added Dr. Rakesh Rajput, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals.

“Joint Replacement Surgeries have evolved over the years and newer techniques are introduced to offer patient friendly treatment. With better clinical expertise and advanced treatment option people can opt for a pain free life. Joint Replacement Surgery has helped relieve the pain and suffering of plenty of people affected by advanced arthritis” said Dr. Debasis Chakravarty, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals.

“Post a joint replacement surgery people can resume to their normal course of life and perform their daily activities. An average elderly after 3 to 6 months of surgery can walk, squat, do recreational sports like swimming, golfing, doubles tennis, cycling and a woman can get back to their routine kitchen and household activities” explained Dr. Ujjwal Debnath, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals.

With 5 times failed hip, Iraqi teacher gets stands up tall again post a successful revision surgery at Fortis Hospitals Mulund”

~Denied of medical support abroad, Iraqi woman finds India for clinical excellence~

Mumbai, 22^nd July 2011: Setting yet another milestone in orthopedic surgery, Dr Sachin Bhonsle at Fortis Hospital Mulund performed a complicated hip replacement revision surgery on a 52 year old Iraqi lady who had undergone 6 failed hip surgeries before.

Dr Sachin Bhonsle, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon took up a challenge to perform the 6^th followed by 7th revision putting the patient back on her feet. Sixth is a preparatory for the final revision (7^th surgery).

Patient Ms Nadia, a teacher from Baghdad had a childhood injury to her right hip which damaged the joint progressively till it developed arthritis.  When she was 40 years of age she decided to opt for a total hip replacement which was performed in her own country. The surgery did not yield good results and her joint soon dislocated. She had to undergo second surgery to revise the socket. This surgery gave her benefit but only for two years.

In 2002 the hip developed problems once again and she had to have a revision surgery for the third time. This failed again after three years.

In 2005 a fourth surgery was performed to change the entire hip joint. She got a good pain relief after this surgery. This hip joint had loosened out by 2010 when a fifth surgery was performed to change the joint surfaces. She did not get any benefit from this surgery.

Reasons for failure:-

1. Unstable joint replacement and poor soft tissue balance
2. Early wear and tear because off poor alignment
3. Loosening because of inadequate fixation in bone and suboptimal cementing
4.  Extensive soft tissue scarring and inexistent muscles because of repeated operation in same place

Meanwhile destiny gave her a sixth chance, having suffered for so long Ms Nadia mustered the courage to rectify her problem and decided to come down to India and get operated upon her hip once again.

Dr Sachin Bhonsle says “This case is a fine example of a very complicated hip replacement operation as Nadia had undergone several hip replacements before and those operations were failures. Bone had become brittle due to intense scarring and there was a major possibility of fracture. Nerve damage was possible during approaching such hips because of nerve entrapment in severe scarring. Her poorly controlled diabetes proved a further challenge.”

Dr Bhonsle had to first perform the surgery (6th) to remove all the implants, bone cement and clean up the infection. He performed the final revision surgery (7th surgery) during 1st week of July.

“I opened up the wound and thoroughly cleaned it again. I first prepared her socket (used a cement less socket of a modern design which can last for many years) and put some bone grafts in the depth. Then i went on to prepare the femur which proved a huge challenge. There were many holes and breaks in the femur. I had to use a titanium stem of great length to span breaks in the bone. In addition i had to strengthen the bone using- bone grafts, titanium mesh, plates and screws. It took almost 7 hours to complete the procedure with satisfaction.” adds Dr Bhonsle.

The surgery was successful with an uneventful recovery and Nadia was able to walk within 48 hours of surgery. Dr. Bhonsle is very optimistic that the patient will lead a normal life and will not require another revision in her lifetime.

“Having undergone 5 surgeries before, doctors abroad told me that a sixth correction could never be performed on my hip. I thought that I will have to lead a challenged life for the rest of the years. But like the saying goes every cloud has a silver lining! I too got hope after 12 years of suffering from Dr Bhonsle who took up the challenge and cured me. All I want to say is there is a solution to every problem, only thing is we need to hunt out for the opportunity and everything else falls in place”, says Nadia with a comforting smile on her face.

Provided by Mint.com