Successful Bilateral Knee Replacement of a 63-Year-Old Woman Weighing 102 Kilograms at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida

Greater Noida: A 63-year-old woman suffering from severe knee pain and limited mobility due to osteoarthritis has regained hope after a successful bilateral total knee replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital Greater Noida.

63-year-old Sunita Thakur, weighing approximately 102 kg, was unable to walk due to severe pain in both knees caused by osteoarthritis and bow legs. Dr. Bharat Goswami, Consultant Orthopaedics at Fortis Greater Noida, explains, "The patient had bilateral (meaning in both knees) osteoarthritis, a condition where the cartilage cushioning the knee joint degenerates. This, combined with a genu varum deformity (bowed legs), caused her significant pain and restricted her movement. In this condition, the knees knock inward when standing with the feet together.”
"The weight of 102 kg posed a significant challenge during the surgery," explains Dr. Goswami. "Typically, performing knee replacement surgery is challenging due to the poor quality of bone, excess flesh, and weakened bones. This complexity increases the risk of complications such as blood vessel thrombosis (BVT) and fat embolism. Additionally, such patients require specialized care."
He further adds, "The patient had sought consultation at other facilities prior to coming here, where she was declined surgery due to her weight. I perceived it as a challenge and successfully performed bilateral knee replacement surgery on this 63-year-old woman. Although she experienced some postoperative respiratory difficulties, necessitating a brief hospital stay for observation, she is now recuperating well. Upon improvement in her condition, she was discharged from the hospital."

Sharing further insights about Bilateral Severe Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Dr. Goswami explained that the patient experienced arthritis, a condition resulting in pain and stiffness in both knees. The term "severe" signified significant damage to the joint cartilage, the cushioning tissue between bones. In such cases, Bilateral knee replacement surgery can markedly enhance a patient's quality of life by alleviating pain, stiffness, and enhancing mobility. This procedure enables patients to engage in activities they may have had to give up due to knee pain, offering them newfound freedom and improved well-being.

Dr. Praween Kumar, CEO of Fortis Greater Noida,  said, "We are proud of Dr. Goswami's expertise and the entire team's dedication in helping this patient regain her mobility and improve her quality of life. This case highlights our commitment to providing advanced orthopedic care to patients with complex conditions."