Patients benefitted from stitchless joints replacement at Fortis Hospital Ludhiana

Ludhiana, April 9, 2015: Since start of “Stitch less Joints Replacement” programme in March, by Dr Sanjeev Mahajan, Director, Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana, many patients have benefited till now and there is a long waiting list of patients for the Month of April.

Dr Sanjeev Mahajan who had got trained in the procedure in USA, said the procedure is benefiting patients in enabling them to start moving there joints immediately after surgery leading to much early discharge and healthy joints. The patients who have got the surgery done, have become ambassadors and are guiding others in getting this new procedure for comfort and safety. Additionally the patients who had got one knee replaced with conventional technique earlier and other knee with this new technique have observed remarkable comfort and flexibility in addition to cosmetic benefit.

Dr Som Gupta, Head Physiotherapist has also observed that the patients with this new procedure are showing remarkable flexibility in the joints leading to very fast rehabilitation and start of active life.

According to a patient, “I was before planning to get conventional surgery but came to know from relatives about this new technique. I opted for Stitch Less Knee Replacement and I was on my foot on the second day” Thanks to Dr Mahajan and Team!!

According to Dr Mahajan the Institute Of Orthopedics at Fortis Hospital Ludhiana has got immediate attention  from all over India and lot of surgeons have shown interest in knowing this procedure. People , who were before going to Delhi or Chandigarh for advanced Joints replacement have now started availing services from Fortis Hospital Ludhiana.

Regarding stitch less procedure Dr Mahajan said that, not only does skin closure in this way serve a cosmetic purpose but it adds strength and protection to an incision .This technique adds 75% more strength to wound closure than sutures alone. And provides a microbial barrier with 99% protection  for at least 72 hours against organisms commonly responsible for surgical site infections (SSIs).This inhibits gram-positive bacteria (MRSA & MRSE) and gram-negative bacteria (E. coli)†

The technique uses Plasticizers and Initiaors. Plasicizers increases flexibility and 3-dimensional strength for secure wound closure and patient comfort .Initiator enables consistent setting time across various conditions and skin types.

 “I am using this approach in hip arthroplasty, minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty, custom total knee arthroplasty, partial knee replacement and total shoulder replacement, etc” he says. This method allows the patient to shower within two to three days after surgery and sutures or staples, does not need to be removed in the office after surgery.

“The ability to return to basic activity has a large bearing on a person’s mental well-being,” says Dr Som Gupta , Head Physiotherapy , Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.. If the patient has a knee replacement, they are asked to flex the knee as much as they can as early as they can. This causes stretching of the incision, which may cause a pulling sensation by the staples. Therefore, if we use a technique without staples, for skin closure, this feeling of tension with terminal flexion may not be present.” And patient’s rehabilitation becomes very fast after surgery.

In addition to bringing new advances in Joints Replacement, Fortis hospital Ludhiana provides the services of physiotherapists at the home of the patients so that faster mobility is achieved and patients get back to their normal life as soon as possible.

In line with bringing new advances in the field of Joints Replacement, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana will soon announce another new program called “3D Joints Review”. Also present on the occasion were  Vivan Gill, Facility Director, Dr.Harpreet Brar, Admin Head, Dr.Som Gupta, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.