Sarvodaya Hospital in Faridabad has introduced North India's first advanced hip navigation technology for hip replacement surgeries, marking a significant advancement in orthopaedic care. The technology employs computer-assisted, real-time data to guide surgeons both before and during the procedure, enabling more accurate implant placement and leg length equalisation while reducing complications such as hip dislocation.
How the Technology Works
Hip replacement surgery involves replacing a damaged joint with an artificial implant. A critical part of the procedure is positioning the implant correctly, particularly the acetabular cup placement and leg length equalisation. According to doctors, even minor variations in cup angle or leg length can affect mobility and the long-term success of the implant. The newly introduced navigation system addresses these challenges by providing precise measurements during surgery, something that is difficult to achieve consistently with conventional techniques that rely largely on manual assessment.
Sarvodaya Hospital has already successfully performed hip replacement surgeries using this technology. Unlike traditional methods, where surgeons visually assess leg length and alignment, the navigation system provides intraoperative feedback to enhance accuracy. It also assists in pre-surgical planning through specialised software, enabling doctors to determine the appropriate implant size, shape, position, and alignment based on the patient's unique anatomy, thereby improving implant performance.
Benefits Over Traditional Methods
While minimally invasive surgical techniques like the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) ensure very little pain after surgery, hip navigation technology adds the promise of a good long-term outcome. Commenting on the development, Dr. Pankaj Walecha, Director & Head - Robotic Knee & Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement at Sarvodaya Hospital, said, "Hip replacement is a highly technique-sensitive procedure where implant positioning, leg length equalisation & restoration of normal hip anatomy play a crucial role in outcomes."
He added, "Every patient's hip anatomy is different, and reconstructing the new hip like the normal natural hip of the patient is key to restoring normal function. Navigation helps to select implants that are better suited to the individual patient's anatomy and also helps the surgeon to align them more accurately during surgery. This improves joint stability, enhances mobility, and in many cases, helps patients regain a feeling of a near-natural joint over time."
Complementary to Minimally Invasive Approaches
This technology also complements minimally invasive surgical approaches such as the direct anterior approach (DAA), where the patient lies supine during surgery. While DAA already offers quicker recovery, the addition of navigation further improves the results.
In addition to minimally invasive hip replacement techniques, the hospital also has an established robotic knee replacement programme supported by a fully active robot for joint replacement surgery. Sarvodaya offers comprehensive knee care for patients at all stages of knee damage, with treatment options ranging from knee preservation to partial knee replacement, unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR), and total knee replacement, depending on the patient's condition. In advanced knee arthritis, deformity, or severe joint damage, robotic assistance helps doctors plan and perform knee replacement procedures with greater accuracy, particularly in bone preparation, implant positioning, alignment, and joint balancing.
Commitment to Patient-Centric Care
Combining advancements in hip and knee replacement, Sarvodaya Hospital brings together surgical expertise, advanced techniques, and cutting-edge technology to deliver more precise and patient-centric joint replacement care.
This development underscores the hospital's commitment to adopting innovative solutions that enhance surgical outcomes and improve the quality of life for patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries.
