Pune man undergoes India’s first ever robotic assisted total knee replacement surgery

This robotic technique has helped achieving precision in surgery, preserving natural knee structure of bone, rapid recovery and minimal invasion, compared to conventional method of knee replacement, claimed the doctors

On Monday, a surgery was performed on a 66-year-old Pimpri based resident, at Lokmanya Hospital, Pune. He was suffering from terminal stage arthritis since past the ten years and wasn’t able to walk since the last six months.

Dr Narendra Vaidya, Managing Director and Chief Joint Replacement Surgeon, who led the team said, “This method can be useful for most of the patients suffering from terminal stage arthritis. Robotic assisted technology offers a patient benefit of early recovery, minimal pain and minimal blood loss.”

“Patients treated with this technology can get better treatment, including being able to sit crossed legged again and can have a natural feel of the knee joint. Further on, it will also preserve the ligaments, explained Dr Vivek Neginhal from Scott Orthopedic Centre, USA, who was also part of the team.

Vaidya also informed us that, the patient on whom the surgery was performed would be able to walk from Tuesday. “While conventional method takes much time to recover, this method would ensure that the patient resumes his normal life, in a week’s time.” This was done by using Blue Belt Technologies’ Navio Robotic System.

“There are not many companies who are manufacturing such robot. The conventional method cannot be replaced totally. The robotic technique will take time to establish in India. The cost of the surgery would be around Rs. 1.5 lakh,” said Dr Vaidya

From now onwards, the hospital will use the robotic method for total knee replacement on patients from all the age groups.