69 Year Old Runs 5K Marathon after Bilateral Knee Replacement at Wockhardt Hospitals

69 year old Mr. Ramgopal Mundhra who underwent bilateral knee replacement at Wockhardt Hospitals 10 months ago, completed 5 kilometer Majja Run in the recently concluded Bangalore Marathon. Mr. Mundhra, a businessman from Bangalore, was suffering from pain in both his knees for the past 20 years and in the last two years had lost complete mobility and was unable to even complete the simple chores of daily life without assistance.

Mr. Mundhra consulted Dr. Sanjay Pai, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon Wockhardt Hospitals and was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in both his Knees and was advised to undergo a total knee replacement. He underwent bilateral knee replacement within a span 2 days, post which he went through a comprehensive rehabilitation program. His recovery was remarkable and at the time of his discharge he was able to walk with the help of a walker. Not only this Mr. Mundhra started driving on the 5th week of his surgery and on the 6th week he was able to swim.

Addressing the media Dr. Sanjay Pai, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals said “Mr. Mundhra stands out as an example to all who are apprehensive of undergoing knee replacements. Osteoarthritis is the degradation and degeneration of the cartilage in the knee. As the disease progresses the cartilage becomes thinner and even in some wears away altogether, necessitating total knee replacement. The surgery greatly improves the quality of life for patients who are in the advanced stage of the disease. The procedure is extremely safe with a high success rate and patients can get back to living a normal life with only a short recovery period”

“Forget the run; I never expected to walk a few steps on my own. The pain which I have gone through over the last two years was crippling. Thanks to the doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, who reassured me and dispelled my fears of undergoing surgery. I can now run again and I am looking forward to the next marathon in 2010, who knows I may participate in the 10K run” said an overjoyed Mr. Ramgopal Mundhra.

According to Mr. Joseph Pasangha, Head of Physiotherapy, Wockhardt Hospitals, “Mr. Mundhra’s case shows the importance of proper rehabilitative care post surgeries. With proper training and a comprehensive rehabilitative program there can be immense improvement in a person’s quality of life post a surgery. The patient’s attitude goes a long way in speeding up the recovery. Mr. Mundhra is a very positive person and he is always ready to take up a challenge. Faced with adversity he came out smiling.”

He ran 5 kilometers during the Bangalore Marathon on 31st of May 2009 without any hitch, displaying the benefits of bilateral knee replacements and dispelling the fears and myths around total knee replacements.

About Wockhardt Hospitals Bone & Joint Care

The Wockhardt Hospitals Bone and Joint Care is equipped to treat all types of musculo-skeletal problems ranging from Trauma Surgery to Minimally Invasive Arthroscopy Surgery. The hospital also specilalises in surgery for joint replacements, sports medicine, ligament repair, knee surgery, spine surgery and physical therapy for rehabilitation. Wockhardt Bone & Joint Care has complete technology and advanced skills to perform Microscopic Lumber & Cervical Discectomy, Endoscopic Spine Surgery and Arthroscopic surgeries such as Ligament Reconstruction in the knee, Subacromial Decom-pression in the shoulder.