- Knee pain relief on the horizon
Bhopal, (Navbharat Representative): A new ray of hope has emerged for patients suffering from chronic knee pain with the arrival of Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR) surgery in Bhopal. This advanced technique, which is changing the way knee arthritis is treated, was the focus of a recent live surgery workshop held in the city, drawing numerous doctors from across the state.
= The future of knee surgery: UKR
According to renowned Indore-based Joint Replacement Surgeon Dr. Hemant Mandovara, the rise in knee pain, often seen even in younger individuals, is linked to modern lifestyles and conditions like osteoarthritis. UKR offers a modern, effective solution for patients with early-stage arthritis limited to just one part of the knee. Unlike a total knee replacement, the UKR procedure is minimally invasive, involving a small incision and preserving more of the natural joint. This leads to less blood loss, significantly reduced pain, and enables patients to start walking with support the very next day, Dr. Mandovara explained.
= Expanding access and success
Dr. Mandovara highlighted the technique’s success, with about 30% of operated patients experiencing complete pain relief. Following its proven success in Indore, efforts are underway to train surgeons at GMC Bhopal and other state hospitals to widely adopt UKR. The focus is now on extending this benefit beyond urban centres to small towns and rural areas. Dr. Mandovara appealed for government support to include UKR under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to make this precise, safe, and patient-centric surgery accessible to all in need.
