World’s Youngest Lady Undergoes Bilateral Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that leads to chronic swelling of the spine and the sacroiliac joints.

A 32-year old lady was suffering from bilateral knee osteoarthritis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis, successfully underwent bilateral total knee replacement surgery for the first time in India.

There are two types of Osteoarthritis -- one which is due to age, known as Primary Osteoarthritis, which is more common in patients above 50 years and the other is Secondary Osteoarthritis which is more prevalent in younger patients.

Ankylosing Spondylitis - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Ankylosing spondylitis is a rheumatic disease that causes arthritis of the spine and sacro iliac joint.

‘Both the patient's knees were affected and eventually, she developed Tri-compartmental Osteoarthritis. The worn surface of the arthritic knee joint was successfully replaced with artificial metal and plastic implants.’

The reasons could range from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and also Gout, in this particular case, the patient's knees had developed Osteoarthritis secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis, which had progressed in the past three years, because of which her knee movements were getting restricted day by day.

Highlight of this case, which makes it rare, is that Ankylosing Spondylitis usually affects the spine and hip, but in this case, her both knees were affected and eventually she developed Tri-compartmental Osteoarthritis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that leads to chronic swelling of the spine and the sacroiliac joints(located at the bottom of the spine). In such cases, the hips and spine are severely impacted, knees haven't been reported to have been impacted, yet.

Hip Replacement- Osteoarthritis, Post Operative Complications
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The patient had consulted multiple doctors to seek relief from pain, finally, upon consulting Dr. Rajesh Badiyani, Sr. Joint Replacement and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Dr. Ramesh Kumar Tikare, Anesthesiologist, Hiranandani Hospital Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital, she consented for Bilateral Total Knee Replacement (TKR).

Wherein the worn surface of the arthritic knee joint would be replaced with artificial metal and plastic implants. For the procedure, gender specific knee implant, specifically made for Asian females, using bone conserving and tissue preserving technique which helped the patient recover faster.

Osteoarthritis - Causes, Symptoms, DIagnosis, Treatment, FAQs
Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest joint disorder and occurs as we age due to wear and tear of a joint. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint of the body.

This surgical procedure was conducted successfully on a 32-year-old young female for the first time in India; so far it's the world youngest lady to have undergone this surgery. The patient's history revealed that she suffered severe restrictions with movements at both the knee joints and had difficulty in going about normal day to day activities.

Her range of movement at both knees was 10 - 70 degree, due to intolerable pain while making knee movements. She was unable to walk and stand for more than 10 mins at a stretch.

Osteoarthritis More Common in Women Than Men: Study
The severity of arthritis is much higher in women than men and was found that the incidence of arthritis among younger people is much higher.

The young lady was having symptoms of pain and stiffness, bone fusion (over growth of the bones) and pain in ligaments and tendons.

Rarity of the case is that Bilateral TKR is recommended for patients above 50 years. However, in this case, the patient underwent Bilateral TKR at the age of 32 years.

Source-ANI