Spine Surgery

The spine surgery program is a comprehensive interdisciplinary service incorporating orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurologists, physical and rehabilitation medicine and the anaesthesia pain clinic program.

In addition to conventional disc surgery of the neck and back, this service performs microscopic surgery , endoscopic spinal surgery (key hole surgery), and minimal access surgery. The surgical team is experienced in handling spinal trauma, spinal deformities, and spinal tumours as well as congenital and degenerative diseases of the spine. Spine division has done the maximum number of scoliosis surgeries (congenital, neuromuscular, idiopathic scoliosis ) in the region. Spine fusion surgeries such as TLIF, PLIF, ALIF are routinely done. High grade spondylolisthes - a condition where a vertebral body slips over another – are managed with intra operative four channel neuromonitoring device. En bloc spondylectomy (total removal of vertebra) with vertebral body cage reconstructions are carried out in patients with spinal tumours. Operative services are supported by intraoperative spinal cord monitoring (SSEP/MEP), critical care facilities, vascular embolization and excellent anaesthesia services.

Back and neck pain is evaluated and treated by a team of orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists in a pain clinic. Patient education and occupational rehabilitation are the prime goals of this department. This centre is a recognized AO Spine International Fellowship training in spine surgery and every year accommodates a fellow for training.

Hand and Microvascular Surgery

This service is offered as an interdisciplinary program involving orthopaedic hand surgeons and plastic surgeons. The Centre offers expertise in microvascular procedures to treat hand injuries, congenital deformities, arthritis and degenerative disorders, infectious diseases, and reimplantation. Joint replacement of the wrist and endoscopic hand surgery are special features of this division.

Joint Replacement Services

The Centre offers all types of joint replacement to restore freedom of movement and relieve the pain of degenerated and diseased joints. Surgery often provides dramatic improvement in daily functioning for people with arthritis. Medications and physical therapy services are helpful adjuncts.

Some of the latest techniques offered are cementless implants for a customised fit thus prolonging the life of the replacement. However, joint replacements do not last forever. Many people require a second replacement surgery, especially for hip joints. This replacement, or revision, can be more difficult than the initial surgery due to the difficulty in removing the adhesive material used to hold the artificial joint in place.

Knee and hip replacement surgery are the most common procedures. Orthopaedic surgeons also perform joint replacement surgery for other major joints including the elbow, ankle, shoulder, and wrist joints. In addition, our surgeons have extensive experience in using the newest clinically proven techniques to revise joint replacements that have failed. Rehabilitation following joint replacement is coordinated with other healthcare professionals on the arthritis centre team.

Our facilities to perform joint replacements are outstanding both in theatre environment and instrumentation. For all joint replacement cases we have Laminar Air Flow operation theatres, cement gun for pressurizing during cementing, vacuum mixing of the cement, pulsatile lavage, pneumatic and cordless power saw/reamer system and complete systems for primary and revision arthroplasty. A computer navigation system is also part of the joint replacement armamentarium.

Total Hip Replacement

This is usually undertaken in patients who have had their hip joints destroyed due to injury or diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Hip resurfacing and replacements using ceramic liners are done for relatively young active patients.

Revision Joint Replacement

Revision joint replacement is a frequent procedure and we have the entire revision instrumentation along with high speed burrs for difficult surgeries, both for the hip and knee joint. Ours is the first centre in India to use trabecular metal cone for revision knee surgery.

Total Knee Replacement

For knees that are severely damaged due to disease or injury, total knee replacement is the best option. The end of the thigh bone is normally replaced with a metallic component and the upper end of the leg bone with a polyethylene component with metal base plate. Most patients are ambulant from the day after surgery and are discharged the fifth day. The latest Hi-flexion fixed bearing and mobile bearing designed knee components and those specifically designed for women (gender solution knees) are routinely used.

Computer-assisted Total Knee Replacement (TKR) improves the component positioning and is routinely done in our Centre. It is predicted that the computer accuracy and the surgeon's experience together will improve the planning for implementation. The largest number of total knee replacements in Kerala using Hl- flexion, female specific designed knees with computer navigation is performed.

Total Shoulder / Elbow Replacement

Joints like the elbow and shoulder, which are damaged due to diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or due to traumatic injury are treated with total joint replacement.