From daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Jul 9: Apollo Victor Hospital,  a 150-bedded multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Goa, has announced the launch of Rotating Platform High Flexion Knee (RP-F),  the worlds largest technological advancement in knee replacement surgery in Goa.

Dr. Amey Vellingkar, Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy Surgeon, Apollo Victor Hospital, performed a live knee replacement surgery using this new advanced implant in the hospital. RP-F knee implant moves almost like a normal knee joint as it closely simulates the action of the normal knee joint thereby potentially leading to less wear out of the implant. It allows the knee to twist and turn (called rotation), as well as move back and forth, flexing and extending (called articulation).

Explaining the benefits of RP-F Dr. Vellingkar said, "As an advancement over the earlier Fixed bearing implant that offered approximately 125 degrees of flexion (knee bend), the Rotation Platform High Flexion offers up to 155 degree of flexion and 20 degree of internal/external rotation thereby giving more flexibility and increased mobility to patients. The implant enables the patients perform day-to-day activities, which may include use of toilets, kneeling, squatting and sitting cross-legged. This feature makes RP-F extremely well suited to Indian lifestyles."

Designed by the New York-based renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chittaranjan Ranavat, the Rotating Platform Flexion has been developed to accommodate increased bend and rotation in deep knee flexion (the ability to bend at the knee) and ensures implant stability and longevity.

Dr. Vellingkar further adds that the polyethylene material of regular implants wear out due to abrasion caused by human movements. Thus the patient invariably is forced to go in for a re-surgery after ten odd years of the initial surgery. But the Rotating Platform High Flexion does not wear out easily due to the rotating mechanism which ensures unrestricted rotational movement of the polyethylene platform. The rotating platform design thus enhances the life of the implant.

Dr. Vellingkar reiterated the significance and relevance of RP-F to Indian lifestyles. "The degree of how deeply you can bend (flexion), and your range of motion, affects the activities one may or may not be able to engage in. Patients who expect to return to activities such as gardening, kneeling for prayers or sitting on the floor, squatting and yoga require upto 130-150 degrees of flexion from their implants. Since RP-F offers 155 degree of flexion it is highly suitable for such Indian lifestyles."

"RP-F knee implant is designed with the goal of longer performance with less wear out therefore surgeons may recommend them for certain types of patients. According to doctors, an ideal candidate for RPF would be a non-obese individual who is keen on retaining maximum flexibility after an implant.

"RP-F is mainly recommended to more active patients and who have good range of motion prior to surgery. (Range of motion is the amount that the joint will bend). Prime candidates for the rotating platform prostheses are typically younger than 65 years old, more active, or weigh no more than 25% more than their ideal body weight," adds Dr. Vellingkar.