8th Arthroplasty Arthroscopy Summit showcases innovative techniques for joint treatments

New Delhi: Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, in collaboration with the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR), hosted the 8th Arthroplasty Arthroscopy Summit (AAS) 2024, gathering over 250 orthopaedic surgeons from across Telangana.

The event, supported by the Telangana Orthopaedic Surgeons Association (TOSA) and the Twin Cities Orthopaedic Society (TCOS), aimed to impart the latest surgical techniques to young professionals in the field.

Dr Mithin Aachi, Course Director of AAS and Senior Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, and Dr. N. Somashekar Reddy, Organizing Chairman of AAS, highlighted the summit’s focus on educating attendees about close to 50 orthopaedic procedures within a single day. This comprehensive teaching initiative is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of young surgeons, particularly in identifying appropriate 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. Our goal is to push the boundaries of orthopaedic care, ensuring better outcomes and faster recoveries for all patients,” said Dr N. Somashekar Reddy. 

This year’s summit emphasized innovative approaches to treating joint issues without resorting to knee or hip replacements. Discussions included groundbreaking techniques aimed at regenerating cartilage between joints, which could provide relief to patients while avoiding invasive surgeries. For cases requiring joint replacement, advancements in robotic-assisted surgeries were examined, showcasing their potential benefits over traditional methods.

Dr. Aachi noted the significance of these advancements in orthopaedic care, emphasizing robotics’ role in improving precision during hip replacements. Key highlights included new insights into the 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.

“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, highlighted Dr. Aachi.

The summit underscored that while experienced surgeons can achieve comparable outcomes to robotic techniques, robotics is particularly advantageous in complex cases. The discussion also revolved around new single-stage techniques for treating cartilage lesions, which have shown promising short-term results in preventing osteoarthritis, though long-term efficacy remains to be validated.