Knee Osteotomy Treatment in India

Sai Verma, a 42-year-old high school...

Sai Verma, a 42-year-old high school physical education teacher and former amateur cricketer, had always been active. Over the past five years, he developed a persistent, aching pain on the inner side of his right knee, which worsened with activity. Simple tasks like climbing stairs or walking the school corridors became difficult. An X-ray revealed early-stage osteoarthritis, but it was confined to only the inner (medial) compartment of his knee. His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sharma, explained that Sai was an ideal candidate for a High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO). The procedure would realign his leg, shifting weight off the damaged inner cartilage and onto the healthier outer side, preserving his own joint and delaying the need for a knee replacement for 10-15 years. Sai underwent the surgery, which involved a precise cut in his shin bone and insertion of a small plate. The initial recovery was challenging; he was on crutches for 8 weeks and committed to rigorous physical therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion. A year later, Sai has returned to light jogging and coaching cricket without the debilitating pain. Emotionally, he felt a deep fear of losing his active identity before surgery. Post-recovery, he is filled with gratitude and a sense of triumph, feeling he got a 'second chance' to stay mobile and continue the work he loves.