Apollo Specialty Hospital, Jayanagar, Bengaluru conducts rare surgery on 57-year old woman

Lata (name changed), a 57 year old woman from Udupi, Karnataka underwent a rare complete elbow replacement surgery at the newly opened Apollo Specialty Hospital – Jayanagar, Bangalore. The complicated surgery was performed successfully by a team led by Dr Manish Samson – Consultant. Reportedly, they were able to achieve full movement (straightening and bending) under anaesthesia. Lata will now need to undergo physiotherapy sessions for about six weeks.

Lata was referred to Apollo Hospital in 2012 with swelling in multiple joints and severe anaemia, her haemoglobin levels had dropped to 5. She also had almost no movement in her left elbow joint, which was locked at ninety degrees and was irreparable through medication. She underwent treatment for rheumatic arthritis which has reduced by over 80 per cent. Once the rheumatic arthritis had stabilised the consulting team decided to operate on the joint and replace it.

“We are delighted that we were able to successfully operate on the joint and restore full movement. We are confident that Lata will soon be able to return to her normal routine and enjoy them. Over the next six weeks she will undergo physiotherapy sessions and light exercises to regain complete movement,” said Dr Samson. “Elbow replacement surgeries are very rare as they are not a weight bearing joints and people tend to put off the surgery. In total elbow replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the humerus and ulna are replaced with artificial components. The artificial elbow joint is made up of a metal and plastic hinge with two metal stems. The stems fit inside the hollow part of the bone called the canal,” he added.

The most common joint replacement surgeries are associated with the knee followed by hip and then the elbow and ankle replacements.

EH News Bureau