HYDERABAD – When 59-year-old Ms. Venkata Lakshmi was told she needed a Total Knee Replacement (TKR), her primary concern wasn’t just the surgery itself, but the months of rehabilitation and dependence on others that typically follow. However, a specialized procedure performed at STAR Hospitals, Nanakramguda, has offered a different path to healing.
By utilizing the Subvastus Approach – a refined, minimally invasive technique – Dr. Shashi Kanth G, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at STAR Hospitals Nanakramguda, was able to replace the knee without the traditional requirement of cutting through the thigh muscle (quadriceps). This preservation of the muscle structure is the key to a significantly faster and less painful recovery.
Redefining the Path to Independence
In a conventional knee replacement, the recovery process is often long, typically requiring at least 45 days of intensive physiotherapy to regain muscle function. For many patients, this means a long period of relying on family members for daily tasks.
The Subvastus Approach changes this timeline. Because the quadriceps muscles of the leg remain intact during surgery, Ms. Venkata Lakshmi’s recovery time was reduced to just 10 days, with no need for formal, long-term physiotherapy. This approach offers a practical solution for patients, as there are no additional surgical costs and a significant reduction in post-operative expenses.
In Their Own Words
For the patient and his family, the clinical success of the surgery translated into an immediate emotional relief.
Ms. Venkata Lakshmi’s shared her experience:
“Only someone who is experiencing this can tell the difference. The surgery was quick, I felt immediate relief, and now I am independent.”
Her family expressed their gratitude:
“We would like to thank Dr. Shashi Kanth G & STAR Hospitals. We had heard about knee replacement surgery and the 45-day recovery with physiotherapy; when Dr. Shashi Kanth G explained this particular surgery, we were not sure. Now, we are witnessing the recovery firsthand.”
The Surgeon’s Perspective
For Dr. Shashi Kanth G, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at STAR Hospitals Nanakramguda – the success of the procedure is measured by the quality of life returned to the patient.
“There is a satisfaction which a surgeon gets after being able to make this positive impact to a life,” said Dr. Shashi Kanth G. “Seeing a patient return to their routine so quickly and independently is the most rewarding part of this work.”
