With a steady increase in the number of Indians undergoing joint replacements, new techniques from around the world to cause minimal invasion and inconvenience have come to their rescue, a medical expert said here Saturday.
The announcement was made at the "Current concepts in Arthroplasty - 2014", a two-day annual conference with the theme "Cutting Edge Technology in Arthoplasty" at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.
According to Rajesh Malhotra, professor in the orthopaedic department at AIIMS, five major new techniques - Persona knee, Attune knee, CR 150 knee, 30 year (verilast) knee and partial knee replacement - will provide relief to thousands of patients who undergo joint replacement surgeries.
"Unlike earlier joint replacements, the new technologies will help orthopaedic surgeons perform surgeries in a much more accurate way. These technologies will help in better mobility of patients after joint replacements and also give relief from pain to a great extent," Malhotra told IANS.
According to AIIMS, over one lakh knee replacements and almost an equal number of hip replacement procedures are performed in India.
He said knowledge and techniques about arthoplasty need to be updated in India.
"Joint replacement is a very dynamic field and the various modalities of care associated with joint replacement are constantly evolving. Therefore, it is imperative that the knowledge about arthoplasty techniques and principles are continuously updated," Malhotra said.
On the various new technologies, he said: "The persona knee is an anatomically accurate component designed in a way that facilitates proper rotation with unprecedented surface coverage after joint replacement."
"The new technology will improve intra-operative efficiency, patients satisfaction and long term survivorship," he added.
Malhotra said the new techniques will be useful for the younger generation who are becoming prone to joint disorders due to their lifestyle.
"As we know that more and more younger patients are undergoing joint replacements nowadays, these technologies will help them evade knee related complexities in the longer phase of life," he said.
"The 30 year (verilast) knee is of great help in such cases. It is long-lasting due to it being the only knee technology that has been laboratory tested for 30 simulated years of wear performance."
He said that unlike the previous knee implants made from cobalt chrome metal and a high-density plastic, the 30 year (verilast) knee is made of low-friction metal alloy Oxinium, which is 4,900 times more abrasion resistant than cobalt chrome and, therefore, significantly reduces the kind of wear that can cause an implant to wear out before its time.
According to doctors, there are over 60 million people over the age of 50 with variable involvement of their joints with osteoarthritis.
Moreover, rheumatoid arthritis and other joint afflictions also result in considerable joint damage and disability.
Malhotra also stated the benefits of the "CR150" high flex knee system, which has been designed to combine function with wear resistance.
"The CR 150 brings together function with wear resistance to match patient needs. Regardless of the size, shape or activity level of patients, surgeons can feel confident that with the CR 150 system, they can choose the procedure and implant to meet their patients demands," he said.
