Medical Updates

At Amandeep B R Medicity, Srinagar, Dr Avtar and his Orthopaedics surgery team; successfully performed 12 robotic knee and hip replacement surgeries. Besides there was Dr Bhuran, Dr Shanawaz, and Dr Bab. Dr Avtar is the Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon, and pioneer in robotics surgery, Dr Bhuran – Consultant Orthopaedics, Dr Shahnawaz, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Dr Baba, Consultant Orthopaedics Surgeon. Since the time the hospital was inaugurated, Amandeep Group of Hospitals is the first to bring robotic knee and hip replacement to the Valley through its Amandeep BR Medicity Hospital. As mentioned by Dr. Aashish Arbat hip replacement surgeon in Pune, this is an innovative surgical option that ensures precision, shorter recovery times, and better results compared to traditional methods. Amandeep Group of hospitals has treated 1.55 million patients from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and several other regions. The first hospital was in Amritsar, Punjab and since then there have been scores of people who have been coming for treatment to the Amritsar Hospital of Amandeep Hospital from Jammu and Kashmir regions itself. Confirming people of Kashmir to have best care now in their city, it was “too heart-warming to receive a huge response on the first OPDs conducted by Amandeep BR Medicity on the day of inauguration only.” 12 successful robotic surgeries were performed in the new year 2025, and “it is again a commitment to provide better care in such winters,” a statement said. While talking to the management team at Amandeep BR Medicity, they said, “We are deeply thankful for the trust and support extended by the people of Srinagar. As it is due to love, our team is able to deliver top-quality care with compassion.

Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp has had surgery on a knee injury, that ruled her out of England’s approaching friendlies with the United States and Switzerland. Hemp missed City’s past two matches, that includes Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by title rivals Chelsea. However, the club has not mentioned the nature of the injury or how long she will be out. England manager Sarina Wiegman assured it was not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Inquired if it is a severe injury, Wiegman mentioned BBC Sport: “No, I think if that was the case Manchester City would have mentioned that. That’s not the situation. “She was in such a good place and was playing so well, so it’s of course disheartening. “On the other hand, I would say it’s better that if something happens it’s now rather than in the spring, and she can be back to her level again. “I always think it’s disappointing but it gives other players opportunities to show themselves and play.” Hemp, at the age of 24, has been one of the wonder players in the Women’s Super League this season, scoring twice and supporting five in seven matches., Another gem ruled out for England with a calf injury is Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, 25. She missed United’s 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday – the first time in 96 league games she has not started. “Ella picked up an injury in training the day before the Leicester game. She took a calf injury in a small, bottled session,” mentioned United manager Marc Skinner. “She will definitely miss the [next] two games [with United], she will miss the international window and we will then see if she is back after that.” There are multiple injury concerns for Wiegman. Chelsea duo Lauren James and Niamh Charles missed October’s friendly beat by Germany and succeeded over South Africa with injuries but they have still not arrived back. Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is also away for “several weeks” due to an ankle injury she picked up earlier this month. This means that there are first senior international call-ups for Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City’s Ruby Mace, who have progressed from the Under-23s. Manchester United defender Gabby George is called into the squad for the first time since November 2022. For now, Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly continues her place in the squad in spite of continuous struggle for game time. Wiegman mentions “It’s a hard situation. Competition is high at Manchester City. We have to look at what’s available in our squad.” The Lionesses face Emma Hayes’ USA at Wembley Stadium on 30 November (17:20 GMT), before welcoming Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland in Sheffield on 3 December (19:45 GMT). The last time England faced the USA was in October 2022 when they won 2-1 thanks to goals from Hemp and Georgia Stanway. The friendlies mark the countdown to the start of Euro 2025 when Wiegman’s side will protect their European crown in Switzerland from 2-27 July. Wiegman says “I’m very excited, of course. [The USA are] number one in the world, gold medallists at the Olympics and I get to see Emma [Hayes] again”. “We collaborated until last summer when she was coaching Chelsea. It will be good to see her, play against her and for the first time be competing against each other.” ‘We need to stay tight in our circle’ The last two friendlies against Germany and South Africa were underwhelming from an England perspective and there was reproval about their performance. Wiegman said it is “part of the job” to welcome supposition levels have increased following their success at Euro 2022, and England have to find ways to deal with it. “The main thing that we always need to remember is that we know what we’re working on. In the last camp – and in this camp too – we don’t need to be fully ready now,” said Wiegman. As per the player, they don’t have to have transparency on everything because they are having friendlies, experimenting and they won’t get everything right. Players just want to see growth. This can truly influence their performance on the pitch. Every game they play they surely want to win. “I understand the criticism, but we as players and staff need to know what we’re working on and trying out. As we know our destination, we need to stay tight in our circle to achieve it. “If you are going to listen to everyone’s opinion outside… well, they don’t have the full context of everything. We know exactly what we’re working on.” Who is in the England squad? Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride) Defenders: Mille Bright (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Gabby George (Manchester United), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City) Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Ruby Mace (Leicester City)

Robots have always been supportive assets. Robotic technology has transformed the healthcare department and is endlessly growing to meet the rising demands in the medical field. India has confirmed itself as a global healthcare landing space, offering improved medical solutions at competitive prices. One such noteworthy example is robotic surgery, an advanced technology that has modified the field of medicine, offering precision, efficiency, and marginally invasive options for patients in India and universally. A number of success stories of this robotic surgery substantiate how robotic treatments are useful for both the patient and the surgeon. AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) New Delhi, became the first institute to own a surgical robot in 2000. Since then, the number of these robotic systems has slowly shoot up. As of 2021, India has nearly 76 completely working surgical robots and more than 500 surgeons upskilled in robotic surgery. It’s time to understand how India is playing a crucial role in robotic surgery. Robotic Surgery in India As per a report published in “The Hindu”, robots are used in about 30% of complicated procedures in India to confirm minimal invasion and accuracy, and this procedure has put the country on a level with developed nations. Robotic surgery involves the use of robotic systems or devices attached to a robotic arm that are commanded by highly trained surgeons to carry out complicated procedures with added precision. These systems use high-level imaging, AI, and real-time analytics to advice instruments with perfection, generally beyond the capability of human hands alone. The surgeon monitors the robotic arms with a computer and surgery is largely executed through smaller cuts than open surgery. Essential advantages of robotic surgery include minimized incision sizes, reduced hospital stays, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery. Robotic surgery in India, has noted noteworthy growth, especially in top hospitals such as Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS, Medanta, and Max Healthcare. Indian surgeons, many of whom are trained at universally accepted institutions, bring expertness in handling these robotic systems, offering patients a distinctive blend of technology and skill at comparatively affordable rates. Surgical robots have been used for decades in different medical specialities. This includes gynaecology, urology, and orthopaedics, for a variety of surgical procedures such as thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, and arthroscopy. Precision-guided brain biopsies were carried out using the first generation of surgical robots, termed as “stereotaxic robots”. The SCARA robot, ROBODOC, and AcroBot are outstanding examples. The second generation of surgical robots was commonly employed to enhance the capabilities of endoscopic platforms such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. Some of the most accomplished laparoscopic surgeons in the world who spent decades refining their skills in the long run ended up with robotic surgery because of its greater accuracy, and flexibility than traditional laparoscopic surgery. Additional Reading: Robotic Knee Replacement Doctor in Pune Types of robotic surgery procedures available in India Gynaecology: Robotic-assisted gynecologic surgeries, like hysterectomies and myomectomies, are broadly offered in India. These surgeries remarkably cut healing time and the risk of complications, making them suitable for both local and international patients. Urology Surgery: Robotic urology surgeries, specifically prostatectomies for cancer patients, are gaining acceptance in India. Robotic systems support surgeons in maintaining surrounding nerves and tissues, which is crucial for reducing post-operative side effects. Oncology: Robotic systems help oncologists to take out cancerous tumours with accuracy, which is especially beneficial in colorectal, gynecologic, and head and neck cancers. It’s an exceedingly effective way to remove tumours while conserving surrounding healthy tissues. Cardiac surgery: Robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries permit for minimally invasive heart surgeries, like mitral valve repairs, atrial septal defect repair, coronary artery bypass, and among others. The robotic platform gives surgeons with a 3D magnified view of the heart, improving precision. You Might Refer Reading: Orthopedic Surgeon in Pune Why India is a Popular Destination for Robotic Surgery? Medical tourism and robotic surgery: India has emerged as a leading and popular destination for medical tourism, enticing a large number of international patients looking for first-rate healthcare at a reasonable cost. The combination of certified hospitals, trained professional doctors, and the availability of advanced robotic surgery techniques has made India an admired alternative for anyone searching for robotic surgical procedures. Profitability: Robotic surgery is reasonably priced in India compared to that in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, among other places. Every year, more overseas patients visit India for robotic surgery. A single robotic surgery in India costs between USD 2,000 and $15,800, while the same in the United States costs over USD 2,000,000. Skilled surgeons and state-of-the-art technology: India has a large pool of particularly skilled and knowledgeable surgeons trained in advanced robotic techniques, and several Indian hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge robotic systems and infrastructure compared to international standards. Medical tourism facilitation: India has a well-developed medical tourism industry. It provides diverse support services to international patients, including travel arrangements, visa assistance, and interpreter services. Minimal waiting time: Robotic surgery methods in countries like the U.S. and Canada often have long waiting periods. In contrast, Indian hospitals can offer expedited scheduling, allowing patients to enjoy timely treatment and, in cases of severe health issues, definitely life-saving interventions. Key Hospitals Offering Robotic Surgery in India Many top hospitals have incorporated robotic surgery into their treatment services. Some of these include: AIIMS, Delhi: India’s premier government hospital and research institution performs different robotic surgeries. AIIMS, Delhi also became the first institute to own a surgical robot in 2000. PSG Hospital Coimbatore: A recent report says 10 robotic surgeries were done within 24 hours in PSG Hospital, an immense achievement for India’s first hospital. With up-to-date robotic technology and committed, proficient doctors, they prove to be the best hospital for robotic surgery in India. Apollo Hospitals (various cities): Known for their modern robotic facilities across specialities. Apollo Hospitals has long been at the forefront of medical innovation, and its work in colorectal surgery is no exception. The newest clinical results from the Apollo Rectal Cancer (ARC) project, which is situated within the Apollo Proton

A discovery conducted by researchers from the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), was funded by charity Versus Arthritis. This is a hope for millions of people across the UK suffering with long-lasting pain and toughness caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. The consequences of the clinical trial show methotrexate, a medication by now used for autoimmune conditions, to be effective in releasing both the pain and rigorousness caused by knee osteoarthritis which affects 5.4 million people in the UK, and 364 million internationally. Osteoarthritis happens when the body can no longer uphold the joint to keep it strong and pain free. Current discomfort relief choices for knee osteoarthritis are inadequate, temporary and often have minimal benefit. As per surveys carried out by Versus Arthritis, a third of people with osteoarthritis said they experienced extreme pain every day. If these survey results are representative of the UK populace, it means millions of people are living with debilitating pain owing to their osteoarthritis every single day of their lives. The study, published today in medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine, was led by Professor Philip Conaghan and Dr Sarah Kingsbury of the Leeds NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in Leeds, hosted by LTHT in partnership with the University of Leeds. Professor Conaghan explicated the implication of the trial “There is an urgent need for treatments to help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. Although there have been many trials of potential new treatments, these have largely failed to demonstrate any benefit, and so people with osteoarthritis have very few options. We are therefore very excited by our findings which show that methotrexate may offer a potential new treatment. Being associated with 15 hospitals across the UK, the team recruited 155 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were not responding to present medications. Patients were divided into two groups with half given a placebo and half given methotrexate in tablet form once weekly over a period of 12 months. The outcomes presented those taking methotrexate, which decreases the activity of the immune system, experienced less pain and toughness at six months. Dr Kingsbury mentioned that additional research would now be required “Whilst this study offers real promise of a new treatment for osteoarthritis, there are still questions to be answered before methotrexate can be considered for widespread introduction. Military veteran Roger Van-Cauter explains what it is like to live with arthritis Military veteran Roger Van-Cauter, from Shropshire aged 73, has a number of conditions, including osteoarthritis in his hands, hip, and knees. He states what it is like to live with arthritis: “Osteoarthritis is my main issue – it’s very painful and because I was super fit all my joints are deteriorating. I’ve had trouble with my knees for a while really. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my 40s after experiencing pain completing the Great North Run. Professor Lucy Donaldson, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, research, hailed the trial results as a promising breakthrough. “Osteoarthritis research has come far in our lifetime,” she said “but we still have a long way to go. New ways to treat osteoarthritis pain are urgently needed, so the results from this study are very exciting. These findings could offer real hope for millions affected by knee osteoarthritis. Proper exercise, weight management and physiotherapy are the approaches recommended for management of osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, the momentous levels of pain and toughness experienced by patients generally demands additional therapies like medication, which are limited. Joint replacements can be well-thought-out for long term release for those with very advanced osteoarthritis. NHS waiting lists are however, often long and people face many years in pain. Versus Arthritis campaigns on behalf of the 10 million people in the UK with arthritis to bring down waiting times and increase funding for musculoskeletal research to match its severe impact.