Sarvodaya Hospital Redefines Total Knee Replacement Surgery with Augmented Reality

Sarvodaya Hospital, a leading multidisciplinary tertiary care facility in Greater Noida West, witnessed a groundbreaking advancement in orthopedic surgery as a 70-year-old male underwent a transformative Total Knee Replacement (TKR) procedure, utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology. The surgery, performed in December 2023, stands as a significant milestone, ushering in a new era of precision and personalized care.

The patient arrived at Sarvodaya Hospital with a five-year history of chronic knee pain, severely impacting his daily life. Despite limited relief from pain medication, he faced substantial knee deformity and mobility restrictions. Radiological assessments revealed extensive arthritis and abnormal lower leg bowing, presenting challenges for traditional surgical approaches.

Dr. Anchit Uppal, Senior Consultant & Head - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Sarvodaya Hospital, Greater Noida West led the innovative TKR procedure, opting for Kinematic Bilateral Total Knee Replacement with AR assistance. This decision stemmed from the patient's varus knee alignment and the complexities posed by lower leg deformities.

Employing state-of-the-art AR technology facilitated precise surgical planning and execution, surmounting obstacles encountered with conventional methods. Integrating AR into the procedure enabled unparalleled accuracy in implant placement and alignment, ensuring optimal functionality and durability of the prosthetic knees.

Remarkably, within four hours post-surgery, the patient regained mobility with the aid of a walker, showcasing the efficiency and efficacy of the AR-assisted approach. Subsequent follow-ups revealed significant improvements in mobility and quality of life, facilitating a seamless return to daily activities.

The integration of AR technology in Total Knee Replacement surgery represents an era of precision and personalized alignment strategies with regards to implant placement. Dr. Anchit Uppal emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, "The successful execution of India’s first AR-assisted Kinematic Bilateral Total Knee Replacement surgery signifies a transformative phase in orthopedic surgery, allowing us to deliver highly personalised interventions for optimal patient care and outcomes. This also heralds the future developments of new generations of techniques and instrumentations using augmented reality and artificial intelligence ".

Multiple literature reviews have highlighted the accuracy and effectiveness of Augmented Reality in performing TKR with regards to decision-making process, surgical planner & repeatability of surgical procedure. Also, Kinematically aligned knees tend to have better reproduction of normal gait pattern with more preservation of healthy bones soft tissue, less blood loss & faster recovery.

This case highlights how the fusion of technology and healthcare are changing the way orthopaedic surgeries are done giving hope to patients worldwide. Augmented reality is making a significant difference, making surgeries more precise and improving patient outcomes.