15 July 2010
Pune, India
Happiness was writ large on Deepali’s face when she walked a few steps that too in the presence of a huge gathering of doctors, researchers and media people. This was no mean feat, given the fact that 26–year–old Deepali Patil had been unable to walk since the last five years.
Deepali, who hails from Osmanabad, underwent a hip replacement surgery at Sancheti hospital recently using an indigenous ceramic–on–ceramic hip prosthesis, developed by senior orthopaedic surgeon K H Sancheti jointly with Kolkata–based Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute Institute (CGCRI).
The ceramic prosthesis has not only relieved her of debilitating pain, but has also assured her of a more durable and trouble–free implant, compared to the existing metal or polycarbonate prosthesis.
“The new prosthesis offers hope and a lifetime mobility to innumerable patients across India and world. Besides, it is expected to bring down the cost of hip replacement surgery, thereby putting it within reach of thousands of needy patients,” Sancheti told the media on Wednesday.
The cost of ceramic–onceramic prosthesis will be one–fourth of the currently available imported prostheses, which approximately cost Rs 1.5 lakh, said Sancheti.
On the innovation, Sancheti said, “The wear and tear rate of the new prosthesis is negligible. As per our simulation studies, the prosthesis will allow patients to walk within four days of the surgery.”
Sharing the view, Indranil Manna, director of CGCRI, said, “The prosthesis has an edge over the existing implants. It lasts for more than 35 years, compared to the currently used metal or polycarbonate implants, whose longevity varies between seven and 15 years.”
The conventional hip replacement system, which uses a plastic cup, requires revision surgery after 10 to 15 years as the polyethylene (plastic) used in the cup gradually wears off.
“Although plastic wear is an average of 0.1 millimetres each year, even this tiny amount of wear generates millions of particles of debris which damage the bone,” said Sancheti.
The technology will soon be brought into market for use by other orthopaedic surgeons. A short training course is being arranged at the joint replacement centre at the Sancheti Hospital to familiarise orthopaedic surgeons with the new technology.
“We need to conduct more clinical trials of the new implant, for which we will rope in six hospitals from across the country. The data will be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. The new implant can be pressed into commercial use across the country only after obtaining permission from the FDA,” said Sancheti.
Sancheti conceptualised and designed the new hip prosthesis suitable for the Indian patient after extensive research. D Basu, scientist and head of Bioceramics and Coating division, and professor Indranil Manna, indigenously developed and manufactured the prosthesis.
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