Shoulder Joint Arthroplasty Revolutionized for More Affordable Healthcare

A Rising Need for Affordable Healthcare

Thousands of patients suffer from arthritis of the shoulder, a debilitating and irreversible condition that is characterized by pain, weakness, stiffness, and grinding due to the permanent loss of the normal smooth surface of the ball and socket of the shoulder joint.  For patients who suffer from this painful condition, a medical procedure called shoulder joint replacement is an option, albeit an expensive one considering the problem of rising costs in health care in developed countries. 

Alternative Procedure Presented to Address Rising Costs in Healthcare

Thanks to advancements in medical science, Surface Replacement CAP, a revolutionary concept in shoulder bone conservation, is now available, specifically in Mumbai, India, where some of the best hospitals for hip and joint replacements are located.  Unlike the traditional shoulder joint arthroplasty where part of the bone is cut, this new procedure uses an implant that helps preserve the bone and natural tissues.  In the end, it is also projected to become an affordable healthcare alternative to counter the problem of rising costs in healthcare.  The single biggest advantage of Surface Replacement CAP is that the patient can often regain normal functions of the shoulder joint soon after the surgery.  Surface Replacement CAP uses a cap-like implant made from cobalt chrome which functions similarly to the worn-out tissue.  It doesn’t contain cement and is designed to last between 15-20 years.  The CAP is also relatively easier to revise than the traditional procedure. Jaslok Hospital, one of the best hospitals for hip and joint replacements in India, was the setting for the first ever Surface Replacement CAP procedure recently.  The treatment was performed by two renowned surgeons: Dr Sanjay Desai (orthopedic surgeon, arthroscopist, and secretary of the Shoulder Society of India), and professor Federico Grassi, a leading orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder joint arthroplasty in Italy.  

Surface Replacement CAP in the Best Hospitals for Hip & Joint Replacements

Surface Replacement CAP has already become popular in other medical tourism destinations, and it is fast replacing the conventional total replacement procedure.  This procedure, it is predicted, will become the favored alternative.  And at a price tag of just 1.5 lakh, it is sure to be considered an affordable healthcare option by the thousands of medical tourists visiting India annually. 
 

Source: Geetanjali Jhala, “New Shoulder Surgery to Ease Arthritic Pain,” Daily News & Analysis, February 4, 2007