It was the comparatively low and effective cost of treatment in Bengaluru that brought Penny Philppi from Arizona in the United States to Apollo Hospital in the city. Having suffered six years of pain in her knee, the 53-year-old surgery assistant decided on a knee replacement.
“Initially, I just had slight pain in my knees, but gradually it was severe. My knee cartilage had practically eroded and I could hardly do my daily ablutions. Doctors in the US advised surgery. Despite having health insurance I could not have afforded the surgery in the United States. It would have cost me an exorbitant US $ 90,000 excluding the post-surgery care”, Ms Philppi told Deccan Chronicle.
She did a lot of research over the internet about hospitals, doctors and treatment options from across the globe. Singapore, Thailand and India were options, and she zeroed in on Apollo Hospital, Bengaluru. “I got in touch with Dr Arvind Patil from the hospital through an email and discussed my case with him in detail. I checked the doctor's background as well. Reaching Bengaluru on May 31, I went for preliminary tests. On June 2, I underwent the first set of surgery and on June 6 the second knee replacement procedure was done. The cost was almost one-tenth of similar surgery in the US. I am now able to walk with support and hope to walk on my own in a week's time”, she says.
Besides the cost factor, the medium of communication was another factor in favour of Bengaluru. “There was no communication gap. This helped me explain my case better and clearly to the doctors”, said Ms Philppi. Explaining the case, Dr Arvind D. Patil, consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon, Apollo Hospital said: “Penny’s medical report showed that her knee cartilage had almost eroded and surgery was the only option. A bilateral knee surgery involves replacing of eroded bone and cartilage portion with metal, cement and poly (plastic) after opening the knee joint.”
Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent eroding of the knee cartilage, which is very common among people after 40 years of age.
As for whether this is a one-time operation, Dr Patil says, “Once the knee replacement is done, its longevity depends on how the person carries it. Generally it lasts for about 15-20 years. Meanwhile, follow up tests are necessary once in a while”.