17-yr-old boy undergoes robotic knee replacement in Bengaluru; doctors note spike in cases among youngsters

Bengaluru: A 17-year-old boy recently underwent robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery in the city, turning the spotlight on youngsters who, too, are getting affected by deteriorating bone health, an issue earlier seen only among people over the age of 60.The teenager's surgery was necessitated by osteonecrosis, a severely painful condition in which bone death occurs in the knee joint due to disrupted blood supply. Doctors at Apollo Hospitals say while this case is extremely rare, knee replacement surgeries among younger adults in their 30s and 40s are becoming increasingly common as patients seek to maintain an active lifestyle without being limited by chronic pain or disability.
Doctors point to strenuous physical activity and high-impact sports as contributing factors to early arthritis and joint degeneration among younger adults. In the case of the 17-year-old boy, doctors noted the disease progressed significantly over a year and his quality of life deteriorated due to limited mobility. They, therefore, opted for robotic-assisted surgery in his left knee. Dr Rajashekhar KT, lead orthopaedic surgeon at Apollo Hospitals who performed the surgery, said although this was one-of-a-kind case, knee replacements are sometimes required even in younger adults with severe joint disease. "In rheumatoid arthritis, delaying treatment can destroy the joint due to autoimmune reaction. I recently performed knee replacement surgery on a 38-year-old with severe rheumatoid arthritis," he said.Dr Prakash BL, senior consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon at Hosmat Hospitals, said surgeons are increasingly treating patients in their 40s and early 50s, and in rare cases, even late 30s or younger adults, when joint damage is severe and conservative treatment fails. "There is no strict age limit. The decision depends on the severity of pain, disability and overall quality of life," he noted.According to orthopaedic specialists, two major factors are contributing to knee replacement surgeries among younger patients: advancements in surgical technology and earlier onset of joint degeneration. Dr Prashanth R, co-founder and director of orthopaedics at TriLife Hospital, said, "In younger individuals, common causes of knee damage include inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, early-onset osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and obesity-related joint degeneration, where excess body weight accelerates cartilage wear and tear."How to keep your knees stronger?Maintain a healthy weight to avoid stress on kneesStrengthen supporting musclesUse proper training techniquesAvoid prolonged poor postureSeek early professional help