For millions of Indians grappling with the debilitating pain of arthritis, a full knee replacement has long been seen as the inevitable, final solution. However, medical professionals in Chennai are now championing a far less invasive and more economical procedure that promises comparable long-term results for suitable candidates.
A Revolutionary Alternative to Knee Replacement
Statistics reveal a staggering health burden, with one in every six Indians suffering from arthritis-related pain. While many eventually undergo knee replacement surgeries, doctors at MGM Healthcare in Adyar, Chennai, propose a different path for early-stage patients. They recommend an autograft cartilage tissue transplant, a procedure ideal for relatively young and fit individuals. This method is not only cheaper and less painful but also delivers outcomes that rival traditional replacement surgery.
The Five-Year Success Story of A S Vivek
Highlighting the procedure's efficacy, senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Nandkumar Sundaram presented the case of 56-year-old A S Vivek. Vivek underwent the transplant five years ago at the age of 51. "It cost under ₹2 lakh, and five years later I am on zero medication," Vivek stated, comparing it favorably to the higher cost of a traditional knee replacement.
Doctors deliberately waited for this five-year period before presenting the case, as it is considered a crucial window to assess the long-term success of such interventions, even though patients often show significant recovery within months.
How the Cartilage Transplant Procedure Works
Dr. Sundaram explained the science behind the treatment. Arthritis pain frequently stems from cartilage damage at the knee's centre, causing bones to grind against each other. Interestingly, the cartilage on the sides of the same knee often remains healthy.
The innovative procedure involves:
- Harvesting a small piece of this healthy cartilage from the patient's own joint (an autograft).
- Transplanting it into the damaged area.
- Supporting the graft with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) derived from the patient's blood.
The PRP acts as a biological glue to secure the new cartilage and significantly accelerates the natural healing process. "This is preferable, as conventional knee replacement surgery can be painful," Dr. Sundaram added, emphasising the benefits of this biological repair approach over artificial implants.
This breakthrough offers a ray of hope for a significant portion of arthritis sufferers in India, providing a less daunting and more affordable route to reclaiming a pain-free, active life without the immediate need for major joint replacement surgery.
