Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj Performs Successful Knee Replacement Surgery on 97-Year-Old Osteoarthritis Patient*
New Delhi: Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj successfully performs oldest Indian patient's total knee replacectors at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj.The doctors successfully performed total knee replacement surgery on a 97-year-old woman, enabling her to walk without support despite suffering from severe osteoarthritis. The surgery was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Dhananjay Gupta, Director, Orthopaedics, Replacement and Reconstruction, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, in which a team of specialists from various fields collaborated and ensured safe recovery of the patient. After the successful surgery, the patient was discharged from the hospital after her condition improved. This is a milestone in geriatric orthopaedic care. She is the oldest Indian to undergo knee replacement surgery at the hospital.
The patient, Smt. Resham Devi, who had been living independently at an ashram in Vrindavan for the last 30 years, had a fall last year which resulted in a fracture and dislocation of her left hip. Initially, she was treated with normal treatment considering her frail health, but due to hip flexion deformity and advanced osteoarthritis in both knees, she was facing serious challenges in mobility. Determined to live without assistance and with dignity, Smt. Devi decided to undergo dual knee replacement to regain full mobility.
At the time of admission to the hospital, Smt. Devi had difficulty in walking and complained of severe pain in both knees and left hip. For over six months, she underwent extensive physiotherapy and pre-surgery preparation, which included injections of teriparatide, calcium and vitamin D supplements to strengthen her bones. Despite this, she continued to have difficulty in performing daily activities and was dependent on assistance from others.
Given her age and the complexity of the case, Dr Gupta and his team initially recommended one knee replacement, followed by the other after three months. However, Mrs Devi expressed her wish to undergo replacement surgery on both knees simultaneously. After a thorough pre-anaesthesia check-up, including blood, liver and kidney tests and cardiac tests, she was cleared to undergo both surgeries simultaneously. After successful replacement of the left knee, the surgical team monitored Mrs Devi’s vital signs closely. After finding no adverse readings, they decided to perform replacement surgery on the right knee. Post surgery, she was kept in the ICU overnight for monitoring and pain management. The next day, she was ready to walk with the help of a walker, marking the beginning of her recovery journey.
Dr Dhananjay Gupta, Director, Orthopaedics, Replacement and Reconstruction, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj said, “This was a challenging case as the patient was very old and had a complex condition. Had the surgery been delayed, she would have been left with severely limited mobility, which could have significantly impacted her quality of life and emotional health. Mobility issues in elderly patients are significantly associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression and general decline in health. Physical mobility is important for the elderly as it helps maintain bone and muscle health as well as cardiovascular and respiratory health. We hope that Mrs Devi’s remarkable recovery and determination will inspire others to seek timely treatment for conditions that interfere with day-to-day functioning and overall quality of life.”
*Dr Gurvinder Kaur, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj said* , “This was a particularly challenging case but our dedicated team handled it with expertise and compassion. Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj is equipped with experienced doctors and advanced technology that enable us to handle complex cases and deliver high-quality outcomes. Mrs Devi’s story is inspiring, showing that age should not be a barrier to getting treatment.”
