A male patient, age 68 years, approached our outpatient department complaining of severe pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee with the inability to walk without support. This pain had incapacitated him for the past few years to the point where he could not cater to his daily needs. His dependence on others worried him that pushed him to seek treatment.
Upon examination by our orthopaedic specialist, a thorough understanding of his history, and imaging studies, he was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis. He was admitted to our hospital for a bilateral total knee replacement procedure. Since both knees are operated on together in this procedure, a patient suffering from this condition undergoes this procedure as well as the recovery phase only once.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff due to the underlying inflammation in the joint. There could be a crackling sound when the affected joints move. For some, the symptoms could be mild, but in severe cases, predisposing factors like age, chronic conditions, or history of trauma help determine the extent of the damage.
The damaged portion of the bone and cartilage was removed and replaced with metal implants during the operation. The patient was kept under observation for three days in the care of our compassionate staff.
Under the able guidance of our physiotherapists, he underwent a therapy regime that included exercises like knee straightening, supported knee bends, and walking every day with support.
The patient responded well to the procedure and followed the post-operative therapy as suggested. His recovery took six weeks, and he is now able to go about his business without the impinging pain that incapacitated him.
He has come back to us for his routine visit and is extremely happy with the outcome and appreciates the diligence of the specialists who treated him. As this patient was from a rural area, BOSH extended its support by treating him at a cost he could afford.