Nanavati doctors help arthritic bedridden youth walk again

Nanavati hospital recently helped a 22-year-old youth get back on his feet after rheumatoid arthritis left him bedridden four years back.

“When he had come to us three months back, he was bedridden and required urgent surgery,” said Dr Prakash Doshi, chief of orthopaedics, Nanavati Hospital & Research Centre.

The patient, an Aurangabad resident, underwent a hip replacement surgery using a new technology.

“He was unable to sleep comfortably and had to do his day-to-day activities lying in bed. Within a few days of the surgery, he was able to walk. This is the first time we have used this procedure in a young patient,” said Doshi.

A new metal implant, continuum Acetabular system (Zimmer), has been in the market for sometime in India but had only been used in the elderly so far. The new implant closely resembles the natural bone, with its elasticity too being similar to that of the bone. The implant contains tantalum metal.

“This holds promise for the youths affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Though the disease is common among middle-aged people, it's seeing an increase among youngsters as well. Hip replacement is usually done for those aged above 50-60 years,” Doshi said.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to pain, stiffness and disability. “Pain associated with destruction of the hip joint typically occurs in the groin, upper outer thigh and/or buttock. In the early stages of the disease, it is aggravated by weight-bearing activity. Later, it occurs at rest and can interfere with sleep. Total hip replacement very effectively eliminates the pain,” he added.