Centre for Joint Replacements at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road

The misconception that they would not be able to move around freely and do regular chores, discourages many arthritis and joint injury patients to avoid a knee replacement surgery, despite the pain and trauma they would be going through for years.

While this is a misguided fear, advanced technology in orthopaedic surgery coupled with expert surgical skills has turned out to be a boon to patients suffering with chronic joint problems for many years. Doctors at Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore have always been in the forefront in adopting a high-tech approach and Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS), also called Navigation, is the latest technique introduced, making life easier for hundreds of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and joint injury patients. The advantage of this technology is accuracy during surgery and gives the benefit of comfort and flexibility to the patient.

How it works

In Navigation, the surgeon uses a computer to determine the spatial location of conventional instruments and to provide positional feedback regarding their use. The navigation system is typically made up of –

• Camera watching the sterile field
• Trackers attached to the patient and the instruments
• Display Screen feeding back to the surgeon

Navigation works like a satellite navigation system in your car or a GPS system used by a mountaineer. During a surgery, trackers attached to the patient send a signal. The camera catches this signal and the position is then identified on the patient specific anatomy map. The surgeon has a screen which gives out information they need about where they are and what they are doing.

Normally while placing an implant during a knee replacement surgery, a surgeon has to depend solely on his calculations and skills to ensure the right fitment. Navigation helps the surgeon navigate, allowing them to plan the steps much ahead, thus bringing in accuracy which ensures better alignment and positioning of the implant. This results in minimal complications and reduced blood loss. From patient’s point of view, this technology promotes increased flexibility and longevity and promotes a better gait while walking and doing chores.

Fortis Hospitals has all the advanced technologies and treatment approaches that ensure that the patient gets the best. It is the preferred choice for treating all types of musculo-skeletal related problems, from Trauma Care to Arthroplasty (Total Joint Replacements), Arthroscopy, Complex Pelvic Acetabular Reconstructions and Limb Reconstructions.