NfN NETWORK
Kalyani, June 14: Knee replacement is no more a big concern for patients with osteoarthritis living in Nadia and adjacent districts. Providing a great relief to the people suffering from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and Knee allied problems, the Kalyani based Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial hospital and College of Medicine has come up to offer total knee replacement to give them a new lease of life and that too absolutely free of cost.
To begin with the JNMH&CM has already replaced knees of two elderly women during the past fortnight, the latest of which done today.
A patient needs to shell out at least Rupees 1.5-lakh for total knee replacement surgery at any reputed private hospital in Kolkata. But, for the economically challenged people it becomes impossible to incur the expenses for high cost of implants, which eventually force them to languish for remaining part of life without surgery.
People who suffer mainly from Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis usually go for knee replacement. This is largely an age related problem which occurs when cartilage breaks down. The cartilage works as ‘cushion’ between knee and bone joints. But it becomes inoperative in absence of fluid. In such state, the replacement becomes essential. The damaged portion of the knee is replaced with prosthetic implants, usually made of plastic and metal parts. In total replacement, knee is replaced with artificial joint.
Today a team of eight doctors led by orthopedic surgeon Somenath Mahatao, an assistant professor replaced the right knee of Laxmi Basak (56), a resident of Phulia Hospital Para. The patient is wife of Santosh Basak (65), an poor weaver, whose gross monthly income seldom crosses Rupees 3000.
The elderly homemaker, who lost ability to walk or even to stand on her own, is now all set to resume her normal life barely within a week.
Surgeon Professor Somenath Mahato said: “We would try to make her walk within two days and expect to discharge her from the hospital by the end of this week”.
People who suffer mainly from Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis usually go for knee replacement. This is largely an age related problem which occurs when cartilage breaks down. The cartilage works as ‘cushion’ between knee and bone joints. But it becomes inoperative in absence of fluid. In such state, the replacement becomes essential. The damaged portion of the knee is replaced with prosthetic implants, usually made of plastic and metal parts. In total replacement, knee is replaced with artificial joint.
Today’s replacement surgery was conducted by the Orthopedic-II unit of JNMH&CM. The team was comprised of surgeon Somenath Mahato, Suvro Jyoti Shil (RMO), Arnab Biswas (RMO),Manas Sarkar (RMO), Madhumita Roy (Anesthetist), Arabindo Majumder (Anesthetist), Rathin Biswas (Anesthetist) and Soumi Sen (Anesthetist). A team of students studying orthopedic was present inside the operation theatre to help the team members.
On May 28, the Orthopedic-I unit of JNMH&CM conducted the first knee replacement surgery. On that day, a team of doctors led by surgeon Ajay Kumar replaced left knee of Arati Rauth (75), a resident of Balivara village of Halisahar in North 24-Parganas. The elderly woman was suffering from an advanced state of osteoarthritis and lost ability to walk. But, she has now returned to normal life.
Laxmi Basak of Phulia was first examined at the “out-patient department” (OPD) of the hospital a few weeks ago where she was brought-in on a stretcher.
Orthopedic Suvrojyoti Shil, a member of the replacement team said: “Her condition was very critical. We found her suffering from gross osteoarthritis with varus deformity and hyper-extension deformity. Her condition went beyond all possible medical protocol. So we decided to go for the replacement surgery, which was conducted today”.
Lying on the bed at the hospital Laxmi Basak appeared to be euphoric. “The doctors have given me a new life. I am hopeful to return to normal life soon”, she said.
Laxmi’s husband Santosh Basak said: “I used to feel pained witnessing her condition. For past few years she could never walk. I heard about the replacement surgery surgery, but never dared to go for it due to its high cost. But, I am grateful to the Government for providing such costly treatment in the state hospital free of cost. I am grateful to the doctors as well who advised the replacement surgery and informed that it would be absolutely free of cost”.
Medical superintendant of JNMH&CM Subikash Biswas said: “This is a great success story of the doctors which is made possible due to initiative taken by the state government. Such critical surgery with no cost would help financially weaker people largely in Nadia and adjacent districts as well”