We had an opportunity to meet Dr. Tanveer Bhutani, the celebrated orthopedic surgeon, Sport-injury specialist, Head of the department, and founder at Eva Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. He specializes in hip, knee, elbow, and other joint replacements, nerve and tendon injuries, and arthritis treatment. We put forth a few questions commonly asked by people, such as safe surgery in present times, innovative treatments, joint care in winters, etc. read on to know the valuable knowledge he imparted.
Question: What are the alternatives for joint replacement surgery to cure knee arthritis?
Dr. Bhutani: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a good alternative for joint replacement for the initial stages of knee arthritis. In this process, the affected knee joint is injected with growth factors contained in blood plasma. For this therapy, the patient’s blood is extracted and processed to obtain platelet-rich plasma. PRP contains growth hormones, proteins, antibodies, and many other vital components that help the knee to naturally cure itself. It regenerates the growth of cartilage as well as aids the lubrication of the joint. Many patients at Eva have benefitted from this treatment. The results are good. It is a very safe procedure, minimally invasive, and largely reduces the painful symptoms and discomfort that the patient is going through. Very importantly, your dependence on pain killer drugs reduces to a minimum.
Question: Usually people want to delay joint replacement surgery until it is absolutely essential. Is it advisable? Especially in the case of knees?
Dr. Bhutani: Well, I will not suggest delaying surgery if the doctor has recommended it. See, each case is unique. We diagnose every patient based on bone health, joint condition, lifestyle, age, and level of pain or discomfort to suggest a treatment. We have a capable team of experts for that. After considering all parameters, if the team suggests joint replacement, then one should not delay it. You see, delaying the surgery puts a prolonged strain on the knee and it can deteriorate further. It not only makes it difficult for the person to lead a normal life but also makes post-surgical recovery a longer process.
Question: Can one safely go ahead with the joint replacement in the present time of the Covid-19 pandemic?
Dr. Bhutani: Yes, absolutely. You can very well see all the highly advanced safety precautions that we are taking at Eva Orthopaedic Centre. We follow the government guidelines to the T. the doctors as well as health staff wear PPE overalls. There is stringent sterilization done constantly. The patients too are asked to visit the clinic alone. A companion is allowed only if absolutely necessary. Also, we take the utmost care to make the patient feel safe and discharge him or her at the earliest. The pandemic scene is also improving now. In Ludhiana, the corona curve has flattened and the incidence of the virus and fatalities are coming down each day.
Question 8. Now that the weather is getting colder, do the winters affect knee injuries?
Dr. Bhutani : Well, if the knee is already traumatized, the colder season can aggravate the symptoms if the necessary precautions are not taken. First of all, at lower temperatures, the muscles have to work harder to make the same movements that they perform more easily in summer. There is a fluid in the knees that lubricates the joint and facilitates pain-free movement. Like all liquids, this fluid also becomes a little denser at low temperature and does not move around the joint as freely as it does in summer. That is why people who have an injured joint feel their knees going a little stiff and painful in winters.
Secondly, a fall in barometric pressure(of the air) causes tissues to expand as a natural response. This may further put a strain on the nerves, causing pain.
To remedy this, you should always wear warm pants and preferably compression bands on a delicate knee to keep it warm.
