Indian Orthopedic Surgeon Tweetcasts Live Knee Replacement
Dr A K Venkatachalam, an orthopaedic surgeon from Chennai, has created history of sorts by live tweeting a total knee replacement operation that he performed at Chettinad Health City Hospital, India on June 18, 2009. According to Dr Venkatachalam, this was India's first live Twitter cast of a knee replacement surgery and the second in the world that an orthopaedic operation was Twitter cast, the first one also being a replacement surgery performed in US.
Chennai, Tamil nadu, India (PRWEB) June 25, 2009 -- In what is seen as a marriage of Information technology and orthopedic surgery, India's first live Twitter cast of a live knee replacement was successfully performed on June 18, 2009. A state of the art Oxinium knee replacement was performed by Orthopedic surgeon Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam from Chennai at the Chettinad health city hospital. This was also the second time in the world that an orthopedic operation was Twitter cast, the first one also being a live replacement from the US.
Dr.Venkatachalam is an orthopedic surgeon at the MJRC (http://www.kneeindia.com)
His interests are Joint Replacements of hip, knee & shoulder. He has pioneered many innovations in Joint Replacement in South India. These include the Oxford knee, High flex knee, Gender specific knee, Copeland shoulder resurfacing, Proxima hip replacement, Oxinium knee, MIS and LIS.
Twitter is a free service that allows individuals to keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
One can post latest updates on Twitter through short passages of 140 characters and photos.
These updates are followed by Followers. Twitpic is another sister platform that allows uploading of photos. Single user uploaded photos also appear in the Twitter account. The account 'akvenkat" was used to tweet cast this live surgery. Those desirous of following the Tweet feed can search for this user name on Twitter.Com.
The Oxinium knee implant is unique as it is made of Oxidised Zirconium. The advantages of implants made of Oxinium are longevity and tolerance. These implants extend the indication of Joint Replacements as an option in young patients needing one thus improving their quality of life.
Additionally, many patients are allergic to metal implants which contain Nickel. In such cases of metal allergy, Zirconium implants are excellently tolerated. The patient in this instant case was relatively young and suffered from metal allergy. The Genesis II knee was used. Soon the Journey& Deuce knees also made of the same Zirconium knee will be introduced.
When asked why he chose to Tweet his surgery, Dr.Venkatachalam who is an Assistant professor at the Chettinad medical college in Tamil nadu, South India, said that it served a dual purpose.
First it gave medical students and prospective patients an opportunity to witness a live surgery. It could facilitate medical students to make a career choice for post graduation
Secondly acceptability of Joint Replacement would increase as patients would shed their inhibitions and fear. Patients planning for a knee replacement also had the chance to get a peek at a live operation and understand what went on. It would thus alleviate their fears about a joint replacement.
Patients can chat with their surgeon during the course of an operation and ask questions about the implant, technique, pain relief protocols, any thing that would remove their anxiety. It is hoped that in comparison to a live video surgery, a photographic account of an operation will be better tolerated.
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