NEW DELHI: Advancement in Orthopedics is fastly growing with new trends and technologies. Before treatment comes the anxiety of the treatment and its process, the major reason for which is of course the lack of awareness. The New Indian Team interacted with Dr. Rajeev Kumar Sharma, Chairman of Orthopedics at Moolchand Hospital in Delhi who is leading the charge in integrating cutting-edge technology into orthopedic practice. During the interview, he shared his insights on the latest trends and the future of orthopedics.
Robotic-Assisted and Minimally Invasive Surgeries
Robotic-assisted surgery is one of orthopedics’ most innovative advances. Dr. said, “The most talked-about new technologies today are robotic knee replacement, robotic hip robotic uni-condyler, half knee replacement, and partial knee replacement. Robots now play an important role in our lives since artificial intelligence is now integrated into the majority of procedures.”
Robots were introduced into orthopedics in 2010, he further discussed on the function of robots, saying, “In traditional knee replacement, we make precise cuts to remove damaged cartilage and bone, similar to how a dentist prepares a tooth for a crown.”
Artificial Intelligence, Smart Devices and Remote Assessment
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another key component of advanced orthopedics. AI aids in the precise planning and execution of surgeries. Dr. Sharma said, “It helps us plan and guide our approach to complex procedures.”
The doctor then discussed smart devices coupled with AI, stating that “wearable smart glasses helps us in precision with a magnifying view.”
However, technology has also been a boon to remotely assessing a patient, particularly in orthopaedics. He stated that we can now monitor patients’ improvement and give data to assist us adapt postoperative care. “This continuous monitoring ensures that patients are recovering as expected and allows us to intervene early if there are any issues.”
Customized Implants and Prosthetics
Dr. Sharma believes that customisation is the future of orthopedics. “Every patient’s anatomy is unique, so why should implants be one-size-fits-all?”.
He continues: “Customised implants, designed using 3D printing technology, offer a perfect fit and improve the longevity of the implant.”
Later, he talked about custom prostheses, saying, “With advancements in materials and design, we can create prosthetics that closely mimic natural limb function and this improves mobility and quality of life for patients.”
Dr. Sharma understands that anxiety about orthopedic operations is a big barrier for patients.
He continues by saying, “However, India’s medical care is on par with, in fact sometimes even better than many developed countries.” While he also further emphasises educating patients about the advanced technologies we use.
When asked if these are more expensive than traditional manual operations, he stated that they are significantly cheaper than people may believe.
Later, he gave us a few examples of patients who were able to get back on their feet after one week following surgery, demonstrating that the advantages far outweighed the costs.