Released on = February 28, 2007, 5:15 am

Press Release Author = Knee, Hip surgery centre, Chennai, India

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = In a unique operation, the latest \"Proxima hip\" was
implanted into a renal transplant patient with steroid induced osteonecrosis of both
hips by Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam at the Bharathiraja hospital.

Press Release Body = The \"Proxima hip\" replacement, the latest in Hip replacement
prostheses was implanted into the hip of a young male in a Chennai hospital
yesterday. The surgery is probably the first of its kind world wide as there are no
reports of the Proxima hip being implanted in a renal transplant patient. The
operation was successfully performed by Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam of www.hipsurgery.in at
the Bharathiraja hospital.

The surgery was a risky one as the patient had previously undergone two renal
transplants, the first one a failure, and the second one working so far. Steroids
used in immuno suppression to prevent graft rejection had induced bilateral
avascular necrosis of hips. Intake of Immunosuppressant's makes any joint
replacement risky as there is a high incidence of infection.

This risky surgery was necessitated by the patient\'s occupation of that a lawyer.

The Proxima hip is a metal on metal hip. It consists of a very short stem implanted
in the spongy bone of the upper part of the thigh bone. The socket is also made of a
metal cup. It is a bone preserving implant as less bone is resected from the neck of
the femur. Unlike other hip implants it has fewer propensities to produce thigh pain
as the canal of the bone is not invaded.

It is possible to do this hip replacement ever when there is advanced destruction of
the head due to avascular necrosis, says DR.Venkatachalam a UK trained Orthopedic
surgeon. It is ideally suited for minimally invasive Hips surgery. He has the
distinction of performing this operation for the first time in South India for a
young lady suffering from idiopathic bilateral avascular necrosis of hips. Any young
or middle aged patient requiring a hip replacement can now choose this implant over
others as it has several advantages.

In India most patients needing a hip replacement are young and this implant is
suitable for them as a traditional total hip replacement necessitates resection of
more bone, says DR.Venkatachalam.

Even for people from like the US, Canada and UK suffering from Hip Osteoarthritis
the Proxima hip is an ideal alternative to a total hip replacement as it feels more
normal and has less incidence of complications like dislocation, loosening thigh
pain and survivorship. teh metal on metal articulation or joint makes this hip
implant more durable than a THR.

The prosthesis was developed by an Italian orthopedic surgeon, Dr.Francisco Santori
and has a ten year follow up.

Web Site = http://www.hipsurgery.in

Contact Details = Hip, Knee surgery centre
Bharathiraja hospital,
#20, G.N.Chett road,
T.nagar
Chennai
Tel 00 91 9282165002
e mail akvenkat@gmail.com