Hyderabad, 23rd September 2024: Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad; in association with the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR); hosted the one-day 8th Arthroplasty Arthroscopy Summit 2024 (AAS), under the aegis of the Telangana Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Association (TOSA) and Twin Cities Orthopaedic Society (TCOS), today at AIMSR, Jubilee Hills. Dr Mithin Aachi, Course Director, AAS and Sr. Ortho & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad; Dr N. Somashekar Reddy, Organizing Chairman, AAS and Sr. Ortho & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; briefed media about the latest techniques discussed at the summit.

The Summit was attended by over two hundred and fifty orthopaedic surgeons from across Telangana including several young ortho professionals. The thrust of this year’s Conference is on teaching young orthopaedic surgeons the latest surgical techniques. Close to 50 Orthopaedic Procedures and techniques were imparted under one roof in a day, by renowned national and local faculty.

This comprehensive teaching exercise was designed to guide young orthopaedic surgeons in honing both their knowledge and skills, particularly in identifying proper surgical indications and mastering techniques. Over the years, our conference has garnered significant support from delegates who value the depth of insight shared here, while also helping numerous students enhance their surgical precision and expertise, says Dr N. Somashekar Reddy. This year’s Summit focused on innovative approaches to treating joint issues without the need for knee or hip replacement surgeries. Expert discussions explored groundbreaking techniques to regenerate cartilage between joints, offering relief to patients who can be managed without invasive procedures. Additionally, for cases where joint replacement is inevitable, the Summit delved into the latest advancements in robotic-assisted surgeries, comparing their outcomes and benefits with traditional methods. Our goal is to push the boundaries of orthopaedic care, ensuring better outcomes and faster recoveries for all patients

The Summit spotlighted cutting-edge advancements in orthopaedic care, with a special focus on the latest techniques reshaping joint treatments. Key highlights included new insights into the role of robotics in joint replacements, groundbreaking single-stage procedure for cartilage lesions in the knee aimed at preventing the onset of arthritis. Additionally, discussions covered the most advanced techniques in joint preservation and minimally invasive keyhole approaches in shoulder surgery, setting new standards for patient outcomes, says Dr Mithin Aachi. While the long-term efficacy of robotic surgery is still under research, its benefits in precise cup positioning during hip replacement and in handling severe knee deformities are undeniable. The potential of the indigenous robotic solutions could be a game changer for India, significantly reducing costs, while enhancing precision care. This breakthrough would make advanced treatment options more affordable and accessible to a larger number of patients across the country, transforming the landscape of joint replacement surgeries, he adds.

The Seminar was of the opinion that a senior experienced surgeon gives equal and parallel results to Robot, but it is handy in patients with extremely bad deformities. The delegates felt that Making In India perhaps will be the best way to cut costs of Robot manufacture and procurement.

New single stage techniques for Cartilage lesions is another area which was deliberated and is fast proving in short term results to be very reliable to prevent osteoarthritis in future. However long-term results are very important before we can generalise outcomes.